NOT exactly the answer I was looking for....
I just figured that there was a good likelihood that the delrin (white plastic) dog in the clutch was possibly worn and not 'engaging' all of the time ( I don't know how the clutch
actually works) - and $30 worth of parts sounds better that $145 !!!!
40% of the original purchase price is a bite.
UNLESS Whirlpool would support replacing the tranny UNDER the 5 yr ltd warranty - but I'd BET the won't do it unless I pay a repair person a service call and labor to replace it.
THANK YOU for your time & efforts Gene , I truly appreciate it.
Robert