My Kenmore Dryer With a Ticking Sound Won't Start

Power Cord

• Although it might seem obvious, confirm that your Kenmore dryer’s power cord is plugged into the electrical outlet as it should be. If the plug’s prongs aren’t pushed all of the way into the outlet, your Kenmore dryer might not receive the power it needs to start. The ticking sound you hear is probably the control console or motor trying to operate and turn over, although they each might lack the power to do so. If the cord’s plug is secure, ensure that the cord is free of damage. A damaged cord can also keep a dryer from starting.

Circuit Breakers and Fuses

• Certain Kenmore dryers operate with circuit breakers and others use fuses; it depends on the model you own. Additionally, an electric dryer works off of two breakers or fuses; one operates the drum and the other runs the heater. A gas dryer only has one breaker or fuse that powers the dryer’s drum. If you own an electric Kenmore dryer, verify that both breakers and fuses are operational. If one of them has tripped or blown, the dryer won’t start and might make a ticking sound. Find your home’s circuit breaker or fuse panel and validate that the breakers are in the “On” position and the fuses are whole. Reset a dryer’s breakers and substitute a blown fuse if needed.

Motor

• A dryer’s motor is an essential component. It’s what moves the drum belt that turns the drum, so clothes tumble dry. A motor on a Kenmore dryer can fail over time and with normal dryer use. If this occurs, the motor might make a ticking sound for a minute or so after you press the “Start” button, though the dryer might never actually turn on. Contact Kenmore to schedule a repair visit. A technician will be able to measure the amount of volts that the motor is receiving and determine whether or not the component needs to be replaced.

Igniter

• Some Kenmore dryers have a spark igniter; others have a glow igniter. If you start your dryer and it makes a ticking sound, but doesn’t heat, the dryer’s ignition system might be faulty. The ticking sound is possibly the spark igniter repeatedly sparking to try and ignite with gas to make a flame without success. Contact Kenmore to request that a technician inspect the dryer’s ignition system and replace any component that might be bad.

Thermal Switch

• Most Kenmore dryers have a thermal switch or safety fuse that shuts off the heater, or on certain models the dryer, in the occasion that the dryer starts to overheat. If the switch is prompted, your dryer’s operation will be diminished until you replace the switch; it’s designed to only activate one time. A dryer with a bad thermal switch will have problems operating. For example, it might not heat, spinning might be weak or the dryer might rattle, tick or click soon after it’s started before its operation fades completely. If you suspect that your dryer’s switch might be bad, contact Kenmore to have a technician confirm the switch’s performance for you. He’ll also be able to tell you why your dryer might have begun to overheat, so you can address that problem as well.