I have a 6 year old Roper electric dryer that does not work. When I hit the start button, it will buzz, but not start. After a few moments the start button will not do anything until it cools down? I can hear the timer ( softly ) making noise. I cleaned out the wall vent, there was alot of stuff in there. I checked connections with the trusty VOM and don't see anything wrong. My guess is the motor is dead, but I can't figure out how to get access to check the drum either.. and FYI, I'm not that experienced with diagnostics or home repair.
Any help would be great,
Thanks

 

Give model # and can tell you how to open dryer, Your description makes it sound like the motor. Open door push door switch in and have somebody push start switch while you try to turn drum. If it starts you have a bad motor.

 

model # rex3615ew2 - working on door now ;-)

 

door switch is internal. Post comes from dryer door and goes into switch.

 

can you recheck the model #? It won't come at service matters. Suggestion- take the back off of the dryer, try starting it and see if you can pinpoint the noise.

 

See if you can turn the drum by hand. You may have to compare to someone elses dryer, doing the same test, so you know what kind of resistance to expect. There will be some.

It's possible with all the junk you had in it, that you have something jammed in the blower wheel, causing the motor not to be able to spin it.

 

Model # works at Sears.com Here is some directions on opening dryer
UNPLUG DRYER FIRST

Take out lint screen and remove 2 screws there. Take a stiff putty knife and slide it between the top and front panel near the side and pry up on each side. Top will pop off clips holding down.(may have to use a little force) lift top up and lean back. look inside at front panel and find 2 screws holding on (near top on sides) pull up on front panel and will come off. Careful of wires to door unplug wires or just put it to the side. Hope this helps.
After you remove drum try to turn motor by hand. Should turn freely. If it will not turn at all take off back of dryer and remove lint chute and check blower wheel. If motor turns most likely starter windings in motor bad and will need motor.

 

While checking to see if things spin, and if you disconnect the belt -make sure the idler(belt tensioner) pulley can spin freely also. These can get all gummed up and not spin and load down the motor. Rear rollers(if your dryer has them, instead of a center support bearing), can do that also. So if you disconnect the belt to try to spin the drum by hand, that can be a cause for a harder to turn drum, also.

 

thank you all for your help -- found a replacement in good shape at a thrift store for 40$ ;-)

 

That's always a quick and easy DIY approach.