[tbyers31]

My Whirlpool direct drive stops during agitation and before spin. I can sometimes get it to work by sticking something on the lid switch while twisting or jarring the tub. It might work for a while and then stop again. While stopped, its starting to smell burnt. Is this the capacitor, motor, both, neither?

[Gene]

Have you checked the lid switch and the pump as it was recommended by sidfink in your previous thread: Washer wont drain or spin... sort of
If you did - what is the result?

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Gene.

[tbyers31]

I verified that the lid switch still works. when I close the lid, the machine will buzz or whine very faintly sometimes without advancing, like it's trying to do something. Thats when the smell starts. If I shut it off and wait a few minutes (as if to let things cool down) it will start, but only when I turn the agitator or bump the tub with my hand. If I stand by and babysit the machine through the rinse and spin, I can keep it going this way. (because I have to reach in the tub, I've got to jam something in the switch to keep it on) Thanks.

[richappy]

You might have bad motor bearings. Pull the motor and check the bearings, and also see if the motor windings look burnt.
If ok, you might have either a bad start capacitor, or a bad timer.

[tbyers31]

thanks. I'll check this weekend. btw, i replaced the timer less than a year ago.

[richappy]

Should get an amprobe on the motor, excess current to the motor will burn out timer contacts.

[tbyers31]

Ok, I replaced the start capacitor because is was the least expensive place to start. Unfortunately, the symptoms are the same. Sometimes I can still bang the tub to get it started if it gets stuck. There also seems to be a heat factor, however, because banging on the tub quits working after a half-dozen attempts. Then, if I leave the washer alone, sometimes for a few minutes, other times overnight, it will start again. But it just wont transition well from agitation to the cycles after that. So I fight with a tub full of soapy water and clothes. What next?

[tbyers31]

Originally Posted by richappy

You might have bad motor bearings. Pull the motor and check the bearings, and also see if the motor windings look burnt.
If ok, you might have either a bad start capacitor, or a bad timer.

The motor windings still look ok to me. I haven't checked the bearings yet.

[tbyers31]

Originally Posted by richappy

Should get an amprobe on the motor, excess current to the motor will burn out timer contacts.

how do i test this?

[Gene]

Originally Posted by tbyers31

how do i test this?

You have to have a clamp-on amprobe or a regular amprobe which has to wired in series with the washer. The max reading should be no more than 9.8 amps on the high speed.

Gene.