My Whirlpool washer goes through to the rinse cycle and then stops. If I turn dial into the rinse cycle zone it then continues. Does it sound like the timer has gone bad?

Yes, it does. Unplug unit and pull the console off and check the contacts in the timer. Many times they will get stuck or pitted. Often you can take a finger nail file and clean them up and get a lot of use out of it before having to replace. Turn the dial to the spot where it stops to idenify the contacts or look at the schetcmatic sheet in the unit. Since the motor in the timer is working you may be able to get going.