My dryer will heat up sometimes when the knob is turned but I haven't pushed start yet. Help.?

melanie, this sounds like a fire waiting to happen.

bite the bullet and call a repairma....person and do it right.

if your dryer is old, replace it.

in the long (and short) run it will be way cheaper than a fire.

if $$ is an issue, check out freecycle.com or your local newspaper for a good used one from a used appliance dealer.

***jazzcrazy types faster than I do and he is right, but be real careful about what you buy from the thrift stores.

a good used appliance dealer will know what they are selling you.

It sounds like your motor switch may be stuck or jambed by excessive lint or the contacts of that switch are stuck together. When the motor is stopped the contacts for heat on the motor switch should be open so you do not get heat. Take the dryer apart and clean all of the lint from in and around the motor.

The heating too much problem could be because the vent is blocked and not allowing proper air flow trapping heat in the dryer or one of the thermostats is defective. Clean the entire vent out and check the operation or just remove the vent from the rear of the dryer and dry a load to see if you have better results. If this corrects the problem and the clothes are getting dried better you must either clean or replace the entire vent.

Your timer circuitry is bad. Power is being sent to your igniter when it should not. You have a dangerous appliance that is a major fire hazard and you need to unplug it and discontinue using it until it is either professionally repaired or just replace it. Thrift stores and used appliance stores have very inexpensive dryers. The one you have could cost your life.

check your exhaust tube for bloackage all the way to the vent.

Maybe your high limit is bad, but not likely.