Hello all

I posted this problem on another forum, and received some suggestions but not a definitive answer. I've also done a search, found similar problems and they were never followed up with by the OP.

I have a problem with a Whirlpool direct drive washer. The spin cycle only works intermittently. When the washer does spin, its spins fine, however about 50% of the time it doesn't spin at all. I've done a fair amount of investigating and research and have found the following.

The washer agitates properly at all times, so I ruled out the motor coupler. When the spin cycle starts but doesn't spin, the water drains fine and the pump operates. I bypassed the lid switch and the problem persists. I then removed the cabinet and monitored what was going on below. When the spin cycle works properly, the clutch spins as it is supposed to, however when the spin cycle doesn't operate properly, the clutch doesn't spin at all. I figured the problem must be in the gear case, but now I'm not so sure.

Yesterday I was home for lunch and the wife was doing a load of laundry. She yelled at me to come have a look at the washer because it was on its final spin cycle but wasn't spinning. I quickly removed the cabinet and took a look underneath, and the clutch wasn't spinning. With some effort I could move the tub by hand.

As soon as the fast spin cycle (end of full cycle) ended, I could hear the gearcase engage, and the tub moved very slightly. So this tells me that the gearcase is failing to engage when its supposed to at times. What would prevent this? Is it an internal problem with the gearcase or something else?

Could this possibly be a timer problem? I read that a worn timer may not allow the pause long enough for the gear case to engage for the spin cycle.

I appreciate all input.

Thanks

I'm almost sure that its not the clutch, as the clutch/clutch housing is not spinning at all when in spin cycle; ie. no engagement from the gearcase. Additionally, as mentioned in the first post, I can hear the gearcase engage (or what seems to be) at the end of the spin cycle, and the tub moves slightly. Probably because the electric motor hasn't completely stopped at this point.

Thanks richappy. Thats something I should have mentioned, but you reminded me. If I do lift the lid or interrupt the cycle with the timer (because I had the lid switch jumpered), I can hear the gearcase engage and it will start spinning. Another tech mentioned that there should be a delay between the drain and spinning, but our washer starts spinning immediately (when it works) as soon as the drain starts. So you figure the timer then?

Thank you very much for your help. If I end up switching out the timer and it solves the issue, I'll let you know.

I have the exact same problem to a T.

already replaced the clutch and that didn't do it,

if i find a timer cheap ill swap it and let you know if that was it.