I have a whirlpool washer about 20 years old and both solenoids are not working- could the problem be the timer unit? It doesn't agitate. (ocassionally does agitate but most of the time does not.)

If it works sometimes it is probably not your timer it might be the solenoids themselves going bad.

Do you have power getting to the soleniods? I am thinking if power isn't getting there you have the classic "red wire" problem - the red wire that comes down the side of the tub has a history of developing an insulation break causing the power to be intermitent. (the 2 soleniods on the bracket is called a wig wag)