[jastek]

I have a Kenmore 90 series washer (direct drive, 3 speed motor) that fills with water, then stops instead of agitating. When it stops, the motor buzzes/hums. I have replaced the switch on the motor and replaced the motor itself ( I have a spare washer for parts, so the parts were free), but it still does not work.

When this first happened, there was also a burning (electrical) smell.

If I advance the cycle to spin, the drum will spin and the water pumps out.

Any ideas?

[richappy]

Check your timer contacts with an ohm meter. Pull cover off timer and check for burned contacts.

[jastek]

I pulled the timer off and removed the dust cover. I could not see any burn marks or obvious signs of a problem. However, after I put the timer back on, the machine agitated, but it made a lot of loud clicking noises and ran really rough.

I think it is safe to say that the timer is the problem, at least I hope so, because a new timer is $120 and cannot be returned.

Thanks for the help.

[richappy]

Before ordering the timer, confirm it is bad. Sometimes it will act up when you wiggle the timer knob. You can also take the timer apart and verify bad contacts.
Sometimes one set will actually weld shut. Also, you can check it with an ohm meter, just select agitate on the timer and check the appropriate contacts per the schematic.