My top load Whirlpool will spin sometimes and sometimes not. Or it will start and then stop. It drains and agitates just fine.
If a part is broken, how can it sometimes work?

Timer, or lid switch. When it stops, jiggle the timer but don't turn it. If it fires up it's the timer. Also, the lid switch will prevent it from spinning, don't want it spinning with the lid open, could rip your arm off. To test it, when it is supposed to be spinning and it's not, raise the lid and push the lid switch with a pen or some sharp object, it should click. Probably the lid switch. Hope this helps.

Thank you. I tried jiggling the timer but no change. I lifted the lid just enough to see inside but not stop the cycle. The tub will either start to turn and then stop (but the cycle still continues) or I can see it trying to spin ever so slightly but never engages.