Kenmore Dryer 110.75962401—Replace Door Switch?

[MarkH]

When I opened the dryer to add a load of laundry, the light didn't come on. Same thing happened a couple of months back and the bulb was loose. Checked the bulb again today but filament looks okay. Then I noticed that the switch flapper had no resistance when pressed. Went on to dry the load and discovered that the dryer didn't stop when the door was opened during the intermittent beep air dry cycle. Just seeking confirmation that this is a door switch issue or what else might need to be checked. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Yes, you need to replace the door switch

[MarkH]

Thank you, Willie. Appreciate the help, as always.

[MarkH]

Okay, I have my replacement switch, WP3406107. Most of the videos I've watched show the lint screen in the top of the dryer but mine sits in the bottom of the door well instead. I have tried a putty knife along the front edge of the top but it hasn't freed up. Then I found a video where the end caps on the console were removed to reveal screws that needed to be removed or else the console simply pried up to reveal screws that needed to be removed before the top could be slid forward and off to reveal the door switch for replacement. After studying the parts list images, I've tried prying the console up with considerable force and the clips have not released. It feels like I am going to snap the plastic "end caps" (which are nestled under the main console housing). I am attaching photos. Are there screws on the back that need to be released first? Seriously, I thought I was looking at a quick 15 minute repair and now I find myself stumped. Please point me in the right direction. Greatly appreciated.

[vee8power]

model#?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@MarkH need to slide a putty knife under the plastic end cap on each side of the console to push in and release clip REF#11 in the below diagram.  As you push in with the putty knife push some pressure back on the console for the clip to release - do one side then the other.  The console will fold back on the plastic hinges then you can access the 3 screws along the back of the top.  After those screws are removed the complete top panel will slide slightly forward and lift off.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

38 minutes ago, vee8power said:

model#?

Model number is in the title

[MarkH]

Thanks Willie, you gave me the confidence to proceed, which I did on Monday, but my ISP's authentication server went down and I lost internet access to get back here to report in sooner.

My first putty knife flexed too much and couldn't free up the clips. It was also getting covered in a gummy putty-like substance. I used a plastic putty knife to push the gum back from the front edge of the console along it's length and then used a more rigid putty knife and considerable force to pry up the end caps and console. Both clips pulled out of the plastic end caps rather than out of the top:

My guess is that gummy haze in the photo is indicative that the console had never been lifted before. After considerable cleanup and swapping out the door switch, when I put it back together discovered I hadn't re-placed the wiring diagram I found tucked inside back where it had been. Upon opening up a second time, one of the clips fell down into the cabinet. Wasn't able to track it down through the lower front panel because of accumulated lint. So, I went back in through the top and proceeded to do a more extensive lint cleanup and proceeded to install the Dryer Repair Kit I purchased in 2022. Hadn't installed it before because the lint cleanup I did at that time silenced the ringing sounds I was dealing with. The belt showed some minor fraying now, so I went ahead and replaced all the kit parts and finally found the missing console clip between the side wall and the blower housing. It took a while to do a thorough cleaning job but hopefully the new parts will be trouble-free for the foreseeable future.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Good job - and yes, sometimes those clips don't release correctly and fall down into the unit.