I have a Kenmore washing machine that is getting stuck between cycles. It fills and agitates fine but whenever it should drain, it just stops. It doesn't make any noises. It just stops. It doesn't matter what water temperature, load size, or wash mode the machine is set to - the machine will always stop when it should drain.

I've tried turning the belt that drives the pump and it turns fine. I've also tried pulling the pump all the way off and examining it. There was nothing clogging it and the wheel inside turned easily.

I'm thinking it might be the timer, but since that is a rather expensive part to replace and since I've zero experience diagnosing washing machine problems, I was hoping an expert might give me suggestions on what else it might be and how to verify which part is causing the problem without resorting to trial-and-error.

The washing machine has been acting funny for a while now. For a long time it got stuck on the rinse cycle whenever the wash (not the rinse) temperature was set to hot, but would work fine on other settings. More recently, it also would occasionally stall for a while between cycles but would restart on its own.

Any insight would be much appreciated!

Thank you for the help. I checked the switch and it was bad. Replaced it and... the machine still doesn't drain. But now it makes a faint humming noise for a few seconds when it hits the rinse cycle.

Edit: You're right about it not having a belt. There is a wheel on the motor opposite of the pump that has a band around it that feels like a belt but isn't.

Edit2: After the humming noise stops, the machine is quiet for a while and then there will be another short interval of humming. This repeats.

Not while the machine is trying to drain. It still agitates whenever I set the cycle back. But when it stops agitating and tries to engage the pump, it just hums. That little wheel I mentioned? It turns freely when the machine is silent, but while it is humming the wheel becomes harder to turn. Also, the motor feels quite warm.

Alright. That's going to be a chore. I'll reply again tomorrow when I get it all done. And, what am I looking for with the wires and plug? Physical wear like worn insulation or cracked solder?

I pulled the motor off and checked the big power connector plug and it seemed fine. Then I tried running the motor with nothing attached. It spun very fast during the wash cycle but just hummed and didn't turn at all when it entered the rinse cycle. There are two small single wire plugs that connect to a pair of black plastic parts (no idea what they are called). The plug on the upper whatchamacallit gave a spark when it tried to enter the rinse cycle. I unplugged the washer, disconnected and then reseated both of the small plugs. The upper one was much harder to disconnect. After that, I plugged the machine back in and ran it from the end of the wash cycle. This time the spindle turned slowly when it entered the rinse cycle.

Is that a sign that it was just a corroded/bad connection and that the machine should run fine now? Or is the motor bad and possibly hazardous?