I have a Kenmore washer that will not go into the spin cycle. I just wanted to know if there is a way to replace the little button that the door pushes in when you shut the lid. I am pretty sure that is the problem since all else seems to be working.

Hello madtan23

That "little button that the door pushes in when you shut the lid" controls all operations of the washing machine. The machine will not operate at all with the door not properly locked. Of course not : running the machine with the door not closed would be rather dangerous !

Is there a switch that controls the spin operation besides the timer?
Well : the only thing that would damage the laundry and the machine (motor) is of course water in the tub ! Before the machine will allow spinning, all water has to be pumped out of the tub. Therefore every spinning operation is preceded by several minutes pumping water out of the tub. There is a "top water level" switch that stops water from filling up the tub, preventing the tub from overflowing. Some fully micro-processor controlled machines also have a sort of "low water level" switch. But most machines have not.

NOTES

The max water height in the tub is controlled by a 1.5 thick and 3 inch circular pressure switch that is controlled by air pressure. When the water level in the tub rises, the air in the top of the tub get trapped and pressurized. High up in the tub is a small exit, and a thin rubber hose connects that to the pressure switch. At a preset pressure the switch turns the electric water valve off. If either the hose is lose, or broken, or leaking, or blocked, the pressure switch can not close the water valve, and the tub overflows.

Most washing machines have a motor that actually consists of two different motors into one, one for washing and one for spinning. Each motor has it's own start capacitor. With newer models with electronic speed controllers spinning may be arranged either the same way, or via an electronic board. With older models there are two possible causes for the spinning problem :
1 - The spinning motor itself is faulty. This actually seldom happens.
2 - The start capacitor is faulty. This is a frequent problem.

So most probably the spinning problem is in the spinning system itself. If it's an electronically controlled variable speed system you require the services of a professional repairman. In older type washing machines spinning problems are often caused by a faulty capacitor. To check if that is the problem : empty the drum completely, than switch the machine "on" into spinning mode. First the pump motor will be activated for some time (to make sure the drum is empty). Than the spinning motor is activated : it will start humming softly (it tries to turn but fails). Turn the big drive wheel to get the motor turning. If the problem is with the capacitor, the motor will than take over and even slowly get to full speed. If the spinning motor is not humming, or you can't get it manually into turning, you'll need a multimeter to measure the electrics to find the problem.

Please do the inspections as indicated above, and than return here and report your findings. If you contact me directly (to use private message click at my name), I will also return here and advice further.

Success !

:)

Is the door switch the type where a small prong on the lid goes into a hole in the top of the washer or some other type.

Thanks for the helpful advice. Thank goodness we have fixed it... :)

Thanks for the helpful advice. Thank goodness we have fixed it...:)
Good to hear that ! Please indicate what you found the problem to be ! Feedback is important to get, just to include in future advice to others !

:)