I’ll try to be as thorough as possible with my explanation.
Washer will fill, spin, drain, but not agitate.
I have tried all different wash cycles and it’s the same.
I have checked the couplers and they are good. Replaced the 4 "dogs" too. When the timer goes to the agitate cycle after initial filling of the drum, I hear nothing. Dead quiet. No sound of the motor engaging the gear box. Timer still moves, and then once it hits the drain/spin cycle it does just that.
My guess is that since the washer spins, the gear box is fine. The fact that I don’t hear the motor during the agitate cycle makes me think its the timer. However, I don’t want to spend $180 for a "maybe".
Thanks for any assistance.
Sounds like the timer but need washer model number to be sure. If you buy timer from APP and it doesn’t fix the problem, you may return it.
Eric
Model number is 110. 26902690
Thanks.
Ok, this could also be caused by a faulty speed select switch. Open the control panel and check for 120vac on the blue/white wire and on the orange wire (both referenced to ground) on the back of the speed switch. Alternatively, jump these two wires together. This of course is with washer full of water in wash mode when it should be agitating.
Eric
Voltage to both was 123 vac.
Jumped the two blue/white and orange during the "agitate" cycle and nothing happened.
Well, now you need to remove the cabinet and check the orange wire at the motor. Check for 120vac at orange wire while connector is plugged into motor and washer should be agitating. If you don’t have it, check same orange wire at motor connector while in spin. That’s spin, not drain. Directly after agitation stops and drain starts, power to motor is via blue wire. After 2 minute drain, motor should pause, then start again for spin, power is via orange wire. If you don’t have power at motor connector orange wire during agitation but do have it there during spin, then check continuity of the orange wire between speed switch and timer connector. If good, then the timer is bad. You will have to jump out the lid switch for power during spin mode.
I realize your washer does spin but need to make sure that it spins when timer is in spin and not drain. During drain, gearcase is in neutral and will drain without spinning for 2 minutes, however, since your washer won’t agitate, the gearcase will not go into neutral (neutral is set during agitate) which means washer will go into spin right away when timer gets to drain. Probably confusing you but just trying to prove for sure that the problem is the timer and not a bad connection at the motor connector orange wire or even possibly the motor speed switch.
Cabinet removal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVF0h1MQdBE
Lid switch bypass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAnQ6Ovvnuc
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-timer-washer-3951769-ap3100186.html
Eric
Eric,
Thanks for all your help. I appreciate your advice and walking me through the troubleshooting procedures. I will go through the process you described tomorrow as I have plans this evening.
I’ll follow up with a post on my findings.
Ok, sounds good. You can actually forego all that. If the washer spins for more than 2 minutes, then I know the orange wire from timer to motor is ok as well as the motor speed switch (located at motor). So, if it spins for more than 2 minutes, just check continuity of the orange wire between control panel speed switch and timer. If ok, then timer is bad.
Eric
Ok. Ran the washer on small load and it filled, sat during the agitation cycle, then drained and spun for about 2 minutes. Checked the continuity between the speed switch and the timer on the orange wire and it’s a closed circuit. Guess I am on to buying a new timer!
I did notice the washer spun while draining. Took about 45 seconds to drain and then continued to spin for another 70-75 seconds. In your post #6 you stated this would probably happen.
Yes, but it should spin for longer than 2 minutes. Motor should pause for a few seconds after the 2 minute period and then start again and run (spin) for about 6 more minutes. If not, then timer is not likely the problem.
Eric
Well, it’s spinning while draining for about 45 seconds, then continues to spin for another 60-70 seconds. Then nothing for a couple of minutes until the dial moves a bit, then it refills and does the 45 second spin/drain and subsequent 60 second spin.
I did just notice after the last spin it put a little water back in the drum from the top. After all is said and done, there is about 1" of water in the drum.
Ok, that’s the spray function that occurs during first part of final spin. Your washer is not going into spin, only drain which is via the blue wire. So need to check for 120vac at timer connection orange wire (the one that goes down to the motor). Must check with timer connector plugged in and timer in spin mode (not drain…i.e. beyond the 2 minute drain period). If you have 120vac there then need to do the checks in my post #6 at motor connector. Check that motor connector for broken orange wire or burned/corroded terminal inside that connector or motor switch. Motor switch is what the connector plugs into on the motor. If you do have 120vac at orange wire and connector/terminals look ok I can advise on checking the motor switch. Lid switch must be bypassed when cabinet off and testing in spin mode.
Eric
I’ll get on it in the mid to late AM tomorrow.
Wife just poured me a Bailey’s and decaf, so that will take priority! 
Thanks again for all your help. I’ll post what I find tomorrow.
Well Eric,
Good call. I traced the orange wire down to the motor and gave it a tug. Wire popped right out minus clip. Seems the wire was not crimped on to the clip and had worked loose. Took 10+ years to work loose. Got the clip out of the plug and crimped it and plugged it back in. Fired up the washer, and low and behold "she works".
Thanks for all your help. I would not have noticed it if you did not alert me to check the orange wire.
I now have a very happy wife!