My whirlpool electric dryer just stopped working. No warning signs. There was a very faint electrical ticking noise coming from rear of dryer immediately after it quit working for a couple of minutes, then nothing.

This seems like the burner control valves are not functioning properly. The rear is still working properly so without knowing brand I would say the control valves are defective.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR DRYER?

For a detailed Dryer illustration, click below.

Gas Whirlpool Style Version 1
Gas Whirlpool Style Version 2
Gas Maytag Style
Gas GE Style
Electric Whirlpool Style Version 1
Electric Whirlpool Style Version 2
Electric Maytag Style
Electric GE Style
Warning! To avoid personal injury or even death, always disconnect your appliance from its power source--that is, unplug it or break the connection at the circuit breaker or fuse box--before you do any troubleshooting or repair work on your appliance. Also, because some components may have sharp edges, use caution while working on your appliance.

Electric dryers aren't very complicated. Here are some common symptoms that you may experience with your dryer:

There's an error code on the digital display

It doesn't work at all
There's no heat
It won't tumble
Drying is too slow
It overheats
It seems to run forever
It's noisy
It won't start
The light doesn't work
It blows fuses or trips the circuit breaker
My clothes smell bad!
My clothes are marked or torn

ticking you hear is the timer motor,drive motor is most likley geeting too hot.check vent ,dryer pushed back too far?hose kinked ?stopped up?too long?vent should be short,straight and of hard pipe.clean vent twice a year,heating element will love you.you will not love to replace it.

You have done a good job of isolating the noise. Sounds like you will have to replace your drive motor. Very likely a mechanical problem in your motor, that is not going to fix itself. If you continue to run your dryer with the noise coming from your motor, you run the risk of the motor burning out electrically and causing a fire or a shock hazard. It is unlikely that this will happen, but it is possible and thereby not worth the risk of getting shocked or having a fire. The Whirlpool Duet Dryer is the best dryer built, so it is worth replacing the motor. Good luck, Appliance Specialists

There is a Little white thermal fuse in underneath the back panel. Remove panel and you will see to wires connected to a little white part on the exhaust beside the fan. If your dryer won't do anything that's what it is or your motor is fried. You normally have some warning sign before that happens like having to hold the start button down for a couple of seconds to get it to start. Good luck. Make sure you rate me.

check the start switch with a meter,ohm it out

First make sure the drum can be turned with the belt removed if so,that is the classsic sign of the motor failing you will need to replace. If you can not move the drum with the belt removed check the front and rear bearing assembly. There is a video on checking a motor at www.appliancehelponline.com/servicemanual.html

You have a bad thermal fuse , usually caused by lint blockage from the filter or vent hose .

Try this;
In your browser bar type in youtube.com
In the search box type in repairing whirlpool dryers
Then click on the apprpiate video.
This should help you.
Plz rate my solution.
Thanks.

the thermal fuse on the back is probably out the humming is from the timer tale off the back panel and look for somthing that looks like this and test it for ohms http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-39356578169075_2030_2317267 it should read 0