My kenmore elite heavy duty washer fills and then when the cycle timer advances I hear a distinct hum...but nothing moves there is no grinding. There is a kind of "plasticy" smell, but not a horrible burning rubber smell. I have tryed to get the unit to do anything (like drain) by moving the timer forward one click at a time and then engaging the timer by pushing it in (or is it pulling). The only thing that happens is that the hum disappears around the middle of some parts of the cycle, but then reestablishes the hum a click later. The agitator moves easily by hand. I removed the console cover and the pump, the motor, hoping to find the transmission coupling broken, but it is fine. The motor shaft turns easily by hand. The agitator moves by turning the transmission side of the coupler. The rubber ring around the ??? seems very worn and is twisted once, but I can't figure out what it does. Any thoughts? Todd

I have this exact problem, smell of plastic and all. Fills but won't advance ( had to drain by hand).....did you ever figure out what was the problem?

I repaced the unit w/ my even older Maytag which was still in the garage.