I would love some help with my washing machine. It is a Kenmore portable, bought about 5 years ago. Not sure the model number. It was bougt in Canada from Sears, top-loading, small sized. Has three knobs: load size, load temp, and cycle selection (which does not turn)
Anyway, for a while now the spin cycle has been either a.) working OK, b.) spinning but stopping abruptly near the end of the cycle or c.) spinning and slowing to a halt naturally (no braking at all)
Like an idiot I ignored this and now it will not spin (although it will still agitate normally). Right now, when I select the drain and spin cycle (or at the end of a wash cycle), it just sits there and drains, but nothing spins. I wait for a reasonable time (5 minutes) to see if anything will happen but it just keeps draining.
I also tried the diagnostic test from the service manual (set knob here, unplug for 5 seconds, plug in, do this do that) to test the spin function. When I do this it drains, and then the agitator spins (fast, one direction, like the drum should).
My idea is that it seems like a clutch/brake problem (maybe?). But why doesn't it show the same symptoms when I have it on the drain/spin cycle? Any ideas?
Also, what does a repair like this entail for work, cost, etc.?
If anyone knows, I'd appreciate it.
Steve