Installation guide
Owner’s manual
Error Codes
How to tell if a dryer start switch is bad?
A bad start switch on your Kenmore gas dryer model 11073932101 usually shows up as a dryer that has power but will not start when you press PUSH TO START, even though the door is fully closed and a cycle is selected. Use the checks in the 11073932101 owner's manual to confirm the basics before testing parts.
We recommend ruling out the common “no-start” causes first because they can look exactly like a failed start switch.
- Confirm the dryer is plugged into a grounded 3-prong outlet.
- Check the house fuse(s) or breaker(s); many dryers use two.
- Make sure the dryer door is firmly closed (a door switch issue can mimic a bad start switch).
- Verify a cycle is selected and the control is not set to OFF.
- Press and hold PUSH TO START firmly for 2 to 5 seconds.
If the basics above check out, these signs commonly indicate the start switch is failing.
- You hear nothing (no click, no motor hum) when pressing PUSH TO START.
- The dryer starts only if you press extremely hard or wiggle the button.
- The dryer starts intermittently with the same settings and load.
- The button feels loose, sticks, or does not return normally.
Start-switch testing requires access to the console and electrical checks.
| Test | What you do | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Basic function check | Door closed, cycle selected, press PUSH TO START | No response suggests a start circuit problem |
| Continuity test (power off) | Unplug dryer, remove console access, meter the switch | No continuity when pressed indicates a failed switch |
| Compare with door switch behavior | Open door while trying to start | If door switch is inconsistent, address that first |
The start switch is part of the dryer’s start circuit. If it is failing, the motor may never energize, so the drum will not turn and the burner system will not run, even though the dryer appears to have power.
If the dryer will not start and the door does not reliably “register” as closed, the door switch is a common fix on this model: dryer door switch WP3406107.
Last updated: January 2026
How to tell if a dryer gas valve is bad?
On Kenmore gas dryer model 11073932101, a “bad gas valve” usually shows up as no heat even though the drum tumbles, or heat that starts briefly and then quits. First confirm the gas supply shutoff valve is open and the dryer is on a heat cycle per the 11073932101 installation guide.
- Dryer runs but produces no heat on heated cycles
- You hear normal ignition attempts, but the burner never stays lit
- Heat works for a few minutes, then stops until the dryer cools down
- You smell no gas at the burner area during an ignition attempt (with the cabinet closed)
- Other basics check out (good airflow, correct cycle, door fully closed)
Before replacing the gas valve assembly, we recommend these checks because they are faster and more common:
- Gas supply shutoff valve is fully open (handle parallel to the pipe)
- Dryer is not set to Air/Fluff or a no-heat cycle (see the 11073932101 owner’s manual)
- Exhaust vent is not crushed or clogged (poor airflow can cause overheating and shutdowns)
- House power is solid (gas dryers still need proper electrical power for ignition)
| What you observe | Most likely area to check next |
|---|---|
| Drum tumbles, no heat at all | Gas supply valve, igniter, thermal fuse, coils |
| Heat starts then stops mid-cycle | Gas valve coils, venting restriction |
| Clicking sounds during operation | Often normal gas valve operation |
On many Kenmore gas dryers, the gas valve coils fail more often than the valve body itself. If your dryer heats briefly and then quits, the dryer gas valve coil kit 279834 is a common fix path.
A dryer that is not heating can be a simple shutoff valve or venting issue, but it can also involve gas ignition components. Confirming the basics first helps restore heat safely and avoids replacing the wrong part.
Last updated: January 2026
How to hard reset a Kenmore dryer?
For the Kenmore gas dryer model 11073932101, a “hard reset” is simply removing power long enough to clear the control state, then restoring power and restarting a cycle. Unplug the dryer (or switch the breaker off), wait 1 minute, restore power, then select a cycle and press PUSH TO START (see the 11073932101 owner's manual).
- Turn the Cycle Selector Control to OFF.
- Unplug the dryer from the grounded 3-prong outlet (or turn the dryer’s breaker OFF).
- Wait 60 seconds.
- Restore power.
- Close the door, select a cycle and temperature, then press PUSH TO START.
A reset will not fix a blown fuse, open door switch, or tripped breaker. Check these common causes first:
- Confirm the dryer is plugged into a grounded 3-prong outlet.
- Check the house fuse(s) or circuit breaker(s); many dryers use 2 fuses/breakers.
- Make sure the dryer door is firmly closed.
- If the drum light comes on but the dryer will not run, test the door switch.
- If the dryer overheated previously, check the thermal fuse.
| Symptom after reset | Most likely area to check | Common related part |
|---|---|---|
| No lights, no response | Power supply, breaker/fuses | (home electrical) |
| Light works, won’t run | Door switch, start circuit | Dryer door switch WP3406107 |
| Runs but stops, then won’t restart | Overheat protection, airflow | Dryer thermal fuse WP3390719 |
Resetting power clears a “stuck” cycle state, but it does not correct the underlying reason a safety circuit opened (like overheating from a blocked vent). If the dryer repeatedly needs resets, focus on airflow and safety devices.
If the dryer runs but does not heat, a reset usually will not restore heat. For this model, heat problems are more often tied to gas supply, ignition, or burner components (for example, the dryer gas valve coil kit 279834).
Last updated: January 2026
