GE washer, model - WBSE3120B

Motor starts to overheat and smoke when spin cycle kicks into high gear, then cuts out, probably due to thermal protection circuitry

The machine will progress through the agitation and rinse cycles with no problem and will begin the spin cycle. Problem occurs when spin speed increases after a brief period of lower speed spinning. This motor has two speeds. I am guessing that the higher spinning speed is accomplished by the high speed winding in the motor and not via the transmission, and that the problem is either in the high speed motor winding or some condition that is creating a drag when the basket is spinning

Any thoughts or suggestions as to how to proceed with testing?

Thanks, Jack

PROBLEM SOLVED

I loosened the four nuts that secure the motor to the frame, removed the belt from the pulley, isolating the motor and put the machine into spin cycle. When the spin cycle kicked the motor into high gear, it began to smoke. New GE motor on the way from eBay, $130 delivered