Have Kenmore washer-110.23012101-timer knob spins without engaging cycle. Got new knob and guard, went to put it on–can’t get old one off. Tried to push knob toward timer and turn in reverse, but all it will do is spin. Am running out of ideas --next thought is to break the knob off…PLEASE HELP-- need to do wash.
That problem is with the timer gear is broken… you can try to open console and hold shaft from other side push in knob and turn it counter clockwise
The timer knob may be broken in such a way that the shaft is screwed too far into the knob. If the shaft is screwed too far into the knob, the timer will not engage.
Pull the console and hold the shaft from the back side with needle nose pliers.
I doubt your timer gears are bad that is very rare.
Matt
Thanks bambiblaster and Matt S.
Matt S-that’s what we did with the pliers. The timer shaft gear was broken inside as bambiblaster mentioned. Unfortunately had to buy a timer and we just finished replacing it an hour ago. They don’t make parts so you can take apart and fix anymore, no internal parts are for sale for timer (most gears are made of plastic), it’s replace the whole thing or nothing. Thanks again for the help, now to do the wash.
That is good news!
Wow, in 15 years repairing appliances, I have never seen that style timer strip the internal gears.
Glad you got it going! 
Matt