Whirlpool Washer, won't spin when clothes are in

Washer Repair
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1

My 7 year old Whirlpool washer won’t spin when clothes are in it. Or I can get a very slow spin out of it if the clothes aren’t heavy. At first I thought it was the lid switch–now I wonder if it is something else. Everything else on it works fine.

We did follow the videos and took it apart but can’t figure anything. Did find a fine oil spray on the inside of the cabinet, about 6 inches up from the bottom, arching to about 4 inches above the bottom, back to front. There used to be a small oil leak noticed when I pulled it once a year to clean under/behind it, but that wasn’t there this year.

Putting it back together, we found one of the screws holding the control panel stripped/broke the plastic holder. The machine still works fine, except it won’t spin with wet towels (my latest load).

Thank you for any help, ideas, suggestions, parts to buy.

3

I think the problem is the clutch/brakes, the clutch part is here

AP3094537

and when you are in there check the brakes to see that they are releasing ok.

I am worried about your oil spray. It may be a one time thing, but if the transmission is leaking oil it will eventually fail.

I would clean up the oil, change out the clutch, check the brakes (see the Sticky by Richappy at the top of the washer page) and then run it for five or 10 times. Recheck the cabinet to see if there is a new oil spray, hopefully there will not be but if there is you are also looking at a new transmission.