Amana electric dryer, heating element turns on but doesnt spin OR make noise, belt is intact and fine, drum spins with ease when i spin the motor/fan. whats the easiest way to determine if its the motor or the timer switch?

yes it does have belt can you turn drum in side by hand if yes and belt hasent broke must have come of pully belt should be tight on drum

See if you can spin the drum with little resistance or is it really hard to spin?

The belt that turns the drum contantly has broken off. The belt and tensioners pulley will need to be replaced. Sears sells these as a kit at there service centers

Probably the element. This is a wondermous dryer.
The element is on the left rear wall. The limit mounts on the element making it easy to diagnose heating problems. Pop the lower front panel off by removing the screws at the base. Unplug the machine and carry it outside so you can blow it out.
AMANA DRYER REPAIR MANUAL


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Either on the back of the machine or on the floor under the drum.  If the lint trap is on the top it will be in the back of the unit, if the lint trap is in front, it will be under the drum.  Before you replace the element check the thermal cutoff which is on element.  If it is blown you will also need to replace the Hi limit thermostat also on the element.

So,. basically your drum doesnt turn. SO your getting heat still even though the drum isnt turning. Is this right? Sounds strange??? Do you hear any humming noise when you push the start button? I need to know a little more about the problem because im kinda confused as how you decribed the problem. Iv never seen a dryer heat but the drum not spinning. especially your model dryer. Its electric heat right? because if the drum doesnt spin, maybe your motor is bad. and if your motor is bad, then your heating element wont heat up because the centrifical switch in the motor is not switching to complete the circuit to the heating element. So this is why im confused when you said" Dryer heats when knob turned but when "push button" pressed, drum doesnt run." Because your belt wraps around the motor pully and the motor is what makes the drum turn. Like i said, i never seen this model dryer heat with out the motor operating. So if you can give me some more info, ill do my best to help you out....Thanks!!!!

the motor may have seized up, or the drum bearings are shot.

You have a broken drive belt. To access the belt you have to remove the back metal cover.
The no heat problem could be a heating element or safety thermostat. These are also located under the back metal cover.

May be belt broken

Yank the filter out the top. Remove the 2 screws in the filter housing. Use a putty knife to pop the top and then remove the screws holding the front on. NOTE: raise up on the front panel slightly so you won't damage the bottom clips. Get the front out yer way and remove the drum. Clean out the dryer and oil the rollers and idler. Use this handy ROUTING GUIDE to see how to put the belt back.

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