can not tell wear noise is coming from,but i think possibly clutch or transmission. it starts hard knocking noise when getting ready to spin and it dims all the house lites in pulsating fashion,drains and spins fine after noise stops.what is it , and is it an easy part to replace?

I am having the same problem. All the research I have done on this points to the motor. It seems that the slow speed on the motor does not work. This results in the motor heating up (hence lights on same circuit dim) and then the internal protection kicks in and the motor shuts down. The replacement is a kit which includes a capacitor and eliminates the clutch - costs about $217.