Washing machine stopped before completely emptying wash water and then there was a burning smell. When I moved knob to rinse cycle, it did nothing and so I turned it off. Still had burning smell, so unplugged machine. I didn’t find model number on machine, but it is Maytag Performa/heavy duty/oversize capacity plus/quiet series/2 speed/10 cycles. Only had medium size load at the time that it stopped working.
First step, take off the front panel and check the pump for an obstruction. That may not be it, but it is the most likely based on what you have said.
If you need more help please post the model number. It should be on top of the console.
model PAVT244AWW 7-8 YEARS OLD THE MOTOR THERMAL TRIPS THEN 90 MINS LATER IT WILL START BACK UP AND FINISH LOAD. I’VE HAD THE PUMP TO THE MAYTAG SHOP AND REPAIRMAN SAID IT SEEMS NORMAL, HE SAIS TRY THE TIMER SO I BOUGHT A USED ONE, STILL SAME PROBLEM. THERMAL TRIPS WITH BURNING BELT SMELL. ONE QUESTION, SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION HAVE SAME RESISTANCE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS OR IS ONE DIRECTION DEFINETLY MORE STIFF THAN THE OTHER?
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model PAVT244AWW 7-8 YEARS OLD THE MOTOR THERMAL TRIPS THEN 90 MINS LATER IT WILL START BACK UP AND FINISH LOAD. I’VE HAD THE PUMP TO THE MAYTAG SHOP AND REPAIRMAN SAID IT SEEMS NORMAL, HE SAIS TRY THE TIMER SO I BOUGHT A USED ONE, STILL SAME PROBLEM. THERMAL TRIPS WITH BURNING BELT SMELL. ONE QUESTION, SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION HAVE SAME RESISTANCE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS OR IS ONE DIRECTION DEFINETLY MORE STIFF THAN THE OTHER?
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I have the PAVT244AWW also. I just replaced the motor due to it not agitatinig. When I put the new motor and belt in it started to agitate but then stopped and I could smell the belt burning. It will fill, spin, and pump out water without issue… 
…any help would be appreciated. What is the "thermal", is that a switch on the motor? If so what activates it?