Asko T761 - what is this part!?

[heptoman]

Hey guys, first timer on the board but I'm a pretty accomplished DIYer.  Anyway, I had to dismantle my Asko T761 dryer to troubleshoot a tumbler spinning issue.  I THINK it's just over-accumulation of lint, hoping it's NOT the motor, but that's to be determined as soon as I can put the thing back together to test it.

I've already taken it apart to replace the belt a few years back, so I'm not a stranger to navigating the machine, BUT....

When I removed the tumbler from the chassis this time, a strange metal plate that I had not noticed before fell off either the ECU or the front drum frame.  Here are some pictures:

Front close-up view of the frame

 

Back view of control panel:

 

Another angle of the same view:

 

And multiple shots of the offending plate:

 

[heptoman]

I also need to note that I searched the repair clinic site for this part and didn't find it, although I was going by visual reference and not all parts have pictures.

[heptoman]

An update.

I just decided "screw it" and reassembled the stupid dryer without that plate.  It is now all back together, and I did a test run, still same symptom as before so I'm back to square one.

All fuses are good, all lint tracks are clean.  Unit does not tumble unless given a "jump start" with hands.  Then it runs for about 20 seconds and then the overheat switch throws and shuts the whole thing down.  I'll try to post a video tomorrow morning but I'm not going to guarantee anything.

[sh2sh2]

Never worked in an asko but if it's like any other dryer you have a bad motor

[Hiroshi]

ya, definitely sounds like a bad motor bearing... does the motor "coast" to a stop of you spin it by hand with no belt on it?

[heptoman]

Here's a video.  Sorry it's split - my phone is garbage as well and the first segment of video was corrupted.

Regarding the "coasting" - as of now I can't squeeze my hand in there to pull the belt off but I'll try later tonight.

[strumpfman]

I do not know what the piece you are showing us is but I guess the dryer can work fine without it.

Watching your video, I think you could well have a weak or dead motor start capacitor.When the motor starts

it needs 2 phase electricity for a split second, which is accomplished by means of a capacitor(usually

sits near motor but on some makes of dryer under the top cover). Check the capacitor and if it is not the

value printed on the outside replace it. Your dryer is ment to change direction all the 

time therefore it started when you helped it by hand. The control stopped the motor because it wanted to

change direction. If you want to be sure start the dryer by hand once more and when it stops and hums try

to help it by pushing it in the opposite direction. Good luck.

[heptoman]

3 hours ago, strumpfman said:

I do not know what the piece you are showing us is but I guess the dryer can work fine without it.

Watching your video, I think you could well have a weak or dead motor start capacitor.When the motor starts

it needs 2 phase electricity for a split second, which is accomplished by means of a capacitor(usually

sits near motor but on some makes of dryer under the top cover). Check the capacitor and if it is not the

value printed on the outside replace it. Your dryer is ment to change direction all the 

time therefore it started when you helped it by hand. The control stopped the motor because it wanted to

change direction. If you want to be sure start the dryer by hand once more and when it stops and hums try

to help it by pushing it in the opposite direction. Good luck.

Wow this in incredible.  Tried opposite direction, and it worked fine but no heat.  Then tried in clockwise direction and it stayed on, but with heat.  I didn't wait longer than a few minutes because I'd rather have some clothes in for a full test.

I never knew that dryers flipped direction.  You learn something new every day.

Thanks for the help, I'll look more into that capacitor as well.

[Hiroshi]

They usually don't, there was an oddball Frigidaire model that did it back in the day- you could tell it was different because it needed a special idler pulley to work in either direction...

[strumpfman]

Sorry Hiroshi they do! Maybe not American dryers but most European dryers do and Asko is Swedish and very often around the drum and straight onto the pulley. They are a pita to replace because you have to pull the belt very hard to get it on the pulley.

[Hiroshi]

I wasn't arguig Strumpf!  nor was I commenting on ASKO in general... hepto is in the US, so I was reassuring him he isn't crazy- as very few American market models do that!

Clarification appreciated.