This Maytag Norge style washer uses a two speed motor with one belt that turns the tranny and pump. The agitation motion during wash and rinse does not start when a slow speed is selected. The motor usually makes no sound - all you hear is the timer clicking along. However, a few times I have heard the motor humming while not turning and one time we noticed a burning smell (not rubber) after a cycle. I have not been able to get the burning smell to repeat and cannot consistently get it to hum.

The problem is not present when a fast speed is selected and agitation will continue to run if you select a slow speed after things are already in motion thanks to a fast speed start. Spin/drain motion works as this washer always starts those using fast speed even if it switches to slower spin speed later in the spin cycle for permanent press, for example.

To a novice (me), it would appear the motor is not strong enough in slow speed to get things turning. To check the motor, I removed the belt and can verify that the motor does run in slow speed in both directions without the belt attached. The tranny pulley does move freely in both directions when turned by hand. And the belt appears to be fine. But when I reattach the belt, the motor does not turn in slow speed unless things are already moving.

Does this sound like the motor or should I check anything else with the tranny, brake, etc.?