My wife uses the washer on cold water only, the hot water hose is actually turned off. The dryer is used on the low heat setting only. They were the two simplest models available at the time and have extra features we don't ever use.But extra features mean more margin, even if the feature only required 2 feet of wire and a $1.50 button.
Inside there should be a big ground cable. Check that and make sure the insulation on it is still good. Hold the button and see if the cable gets warm. Sure sign the motor is bad. Check the main power cable too. If it gets warm, the motor is drawing too much current. Electric dryers are simple. Front load washing machines are the ones you really do battle with.
I had to replace the "drum bearings" on an old dryer in our last rental. They were nothing more than a plastic bushing for the rear and 4 curved hard plastic (teflon?) on the front. The rear bushing was so worn that it actually wore through the plastic and caused the drum to stop. The front "slides" were universal parts that I had to trim a little bit. The hardest part was tearing it apart and lifting the drum out. I also cleaned out the blower and ducting. If I remember correctly, it was about $35 in parts.
Oh and be careful when you are shoulder deep in it. Those interior pieces are like razor blades.
Doesn't the start button connect to a thermocouple? I've noticed that you have to hold the start button down for a sec before it takes off.
Rare opportunity. GO GET THE WELDER! 
I succumbed to the "Happy Wife-Happy Life" mantra this morning. She felt better calling a repair service so I gave in. BUT, if he comes in and changes the motor I'll be sure she gets the "I told you so" speech. Where do I mail my "GRM Man Card" to?
Get it fixed? What was it?
DeadSkunk wrote: I succumbed to the "Happy Wife-Happy Life" mantra this morning. She felt better calling a repair service so I gave in. BUT, if he comes in and changes the motor I'll be sure she gets the "I told you so" speech. Where do I mail my "GRM Man Card" to?
I know how to solve that for you.
The next time she asks you to look at something, tell her to take it to a pro since you can't be trusted. One of two things will happen. She will never suggest calling a repair man again, or she will never ask you to look at something again.
It's a win, win. 
At least until you go to sleep that night. 
Repair guy was here this morning . Looked at it for two minutes and said it's the motor. My wife tells me to use my judgement when he gives me an estimate tomorrow. This is a trap I think. If I spend too much to fix it I'm an idiot. If he fixes it in twenty minutes while she watches, she'll wonder why I didn't fix it myself and I'll be an idiot.I already told her the motor is about $100 , plus a service call. We'll be into it for a minimum of $200 and you can get new ones for as little as $350 right now. It'll be a week before it's fixed, so she can drive the wet laundry to the laundramat to dry it. Somehow I sense I'll be an idiot.
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