Kenmore Dryer Model 110.97282100 won't start

[Matt Cook]

My Kenmore Dryer Model 110.97282100 was turning but not heating (no glow or flame in the peep hole) so I took off the back and tested the thermal fuse, which had no continuity.  I figured I had found the problem.  Since I was back there, I tested the adjacent thermostat (two red wires at 12:00 and 6:00, and two purple wires with smaller connectors at 3:00 and 9:00)  I tested with the red wires and it had continuity. I put the wires back on the thermostat and figured I would just bridge the two wires for the fuse with an alligator clip and start the dryer long just enough to make sure it would light, then shut it down and replace the fuse.  But when I bridged the wires and hit the start button, I got nothing.  No click or anything.  I put the wires back on the fuse, made sure the dryer was plugged in, and I am 99% sure I replaced the wires on the thermostat correctly, if that matters.  Made sure the door switch was pushed in.  Still nothing.  Now I am lost.  Did I break something?  Does the back panel have to be on for it to work (I couldn't see any sort of safety switch).  I thought I put everything back to how it was when it was working normally other than the heat, but it will not come on at all.  Any help appreciated.

[evaappliance]

You can run it with the back off, make sure you still have power at the outlet , and if you do cross out your door switch . Those are the first things to check . 

[Matt Cook]

Thanks but I am baffled now.  I went out this am and checked the outlet and it had power so I plugged the dryer in and it came on.  I had unplugged it yesterday and it didn't work and I plugged it in today and it worked with no intervening events.  So I tried to jump the fuse again and it didn't start with the fuse jumped.  I wanted to run the dryer with the fuse jumped just long enough to see that the burner started so I could determine if the fuse was the only problem, but guess all I can do is replace the fuse and try it. 

[evaappliance]

sounds like your wall outlet has a bad connection. it should run with the fuse crossed out . 

[Matt Cook]

I thought maybe I didn't make a good connection when I bridged the fuse but your answer would explain why it didn't work last night but did today.  I will plug a lamp into the outlet and jiggle it around a bit to see if it goes on and off (very high-tech testing method). 

[Hiroshi]

Spreading the prongs will change the contact points...

[Matt Cook]

Replaced the fuse and good to go.

 

Actually, I replaced the fuse then turned the timer knob and hit the start button to verify that it was heating.  I waited a couple of minutes and no heat.  ARRGH!!  Then I realized I had turned it to Air Dry so I corrected that and was good to go.  Fortunately there was nobody else around to see that.  Thanks for your help.