In the middle of a wash, I heard a rattling type noise from the washer. I opened the lid and all the water had drained, but the tub was not spinning.I checked the different cycles and noticed it won’t agitate either, but makes the same loud noise as it did in the spin cycle. Everything else seems to be working.
I pulled and checked the motor coupling. The part fit very loosely, as the rubber holes for the tabs were stretched, but nothing was broken.Is that okay?
If not, what else can I check?
I imagine the noise you hear is the motor spinning.
What it sounds like is you have a broken coupler. If so it is cheap and easy to repair. Below is a link to that part which includes a how to video. Watch the video then check your unit to see if the coupler is what is broken.
Whirlpool 285753A Whirlpool Direct Drive Washer Motor Coupling - AppliancePartsPros.com
Keep in mind if the coupler is your problem there might be an underlying issue that caused it to fail. One of the biggest issues is the transmission not staying in neutral during drain.
Check out your coupler and let us know the results.
Thanks for the reply.
I pulled and checked the motor coupling. The part fit very loosely, as the rubber holes for the tabs were stretched, but nothing was broken. Is that okay?
If not, what else can I check?
Thanks Tom
Were the all of the tabs on both sides that fit into the rubber section intact? How about the holes in the center of each of the plastic portions, has one of them rounded out or is it cracked? The hole should have two distinct flat edges and no cracks or else the motor will spin and the coupler will remain still.
The motor must be working ok as you said the water does drain out.
So if the coupler is intact (loose holes shouldn’t prevent it from working) then you might have a bad transmission. That would be my next area to look for seeing that you say it won’t agitate or spin.
Upon further inspection I did notice that the center of one of the pieces was rounded. I was able to spin it with some effort. So I think that the motor would do the same under load. I will order and replace it and let you know.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I got the part and replaced it. It now agitates and spins. However, now there is a whine in those cycles that was not there before. Any ideas?
Is the sound coming from the motor area? It may be the motor isn’t lined up 100% or it might be something to do with the pump. Hard to say exactly without hearing it.
Thanks for your help. No way to attach a file here that I can see.
I guess it is time to call in the repair man. 
Don’t give up, you’re so close. Perhaps you can make a video upload it to youtube and give us the link. That’s what most people do.
In the mean time pop the clips and remove the pump then try running it. That will rule out a pump issue.
Wish I would have seen this and tried it. I ended up with a repairman at the house this AM. They popped the water pump and checked a few things and put it back together. the noise was gone. They had no idea what was causing it.
I did have to pay a service call fee, but it was not bad.
Thanks so much for all your help