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Samosa · Apr 5, 2007, 02:07 PM

My top loading kenmore washer runs for 10 seconds and stops for 5 minutes and runs again for 10 seconds. This continues till the end of the cycle. No matter which cycle I choose. There is no problem filling with water.

RalphS · Apr 6, 2007, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Samosa

My top loading kenmore washer runs for 10 seconds and stops for 5 minutes and runs again for 10 seconds. This continues till the end of the cycle. No matter which cycle I choose. There is no problem filling with water.

Sounds like your motor is running on too many windings! If you have a two speed motor, a very likely culprit is the speed switch on the control panel, wich when working properly will put the motor either into the regular speed or the slow speed. I've found THAT switch, when defective, will energize BOTH of the run windings causing the exact symptoms you describe. You'll have to trace the two wires for the two windings and disconnect one of them or do a continuity check on the switch.
Or if you can't do either, buy a new switch and try it, it's not very expensive. (I'm pretty sure it is your problem!) :o If it's not, you're probably looking at a new motor or timer and either one IS expensive. :(

Samosa · Apr 7, 2007, 11:34 AM

What is the speed switch and how does it look like? I have opened the control panel bu cannot locate the switch.

Thanks.

Samosa · Apr 7, 2007, 11:39 AM

I suspect it is an overheat problem somewhere because the time to restart the motor after stopping increases. In the beginning the washer restrts in few seonds, then second time more time for restart and gradually the time increases to restart the washer.

RalphS · Apr 7, 2007, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Samosa

What is the speed switch and how does it look like? I have opened the control panel bu cannot locate the switch.

Thanks.

It is most likely located next to the "water level switch" which is the one with the hose attached.
OK, the part is called "cycle selector switch" Part # 3354282 and it should run you around $25.00.
Good luck!

RalphS · Apr 7, 2007, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Samosa

I suspect it is an overheat problem somewhere because the time to restart the motor after stopping increases. In the begining the washer restrts in few seonds, then second time more time for restart and gradually the time increases to restart the washer.

You ought to QUIT doing that because you WILL burn up the motor windings! :(

Samosa · Apr 8, 2007, 10:04 AM

I touched the motor and it is not even warm after several restarts.

Samosa · Apr 11, 2007, 10:18 AM

My top loading kenmore washer runs for 10 seconds and stops for 5 minutes and runs again for 10 seconds. This continues till the end of the cycle. No matter which cycle I choose. There is no problem filling with water.
I do not see the timer knob moving, may be it is moving very slowly. Could this be Timer problem. Will it help if I rerplace the timer. It will cost me $100.

Samosa · Apr 21, 2007, 09:56 PM

It was not the Timer, it was the speed switch. I replaced the switch which chages the speed of Spin and Agitation. The washer is running fine. RalphS suggested the fix in the beginning itself.

RalphS · Apr 21, 2007, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Samosa

...The washer is running fine. RalphS suggested the fix in the begining itself.

Hey Samosa, I'm good, ain't I? :D

Samosa · Apr 22, 2007, 07:13 PM

RalphS, You are the best. You know your stuff. You gave me the good advice which worked.

Tommy405 · Dec 31, 2008, 01:25 PM

RalphS...
It's a year and a half down the road and you have another huge fan! You are the best!
I thought for sure that 1/1/09 would see me buying a new timer or motor until I found this site. It took me longer to drive the 15 miles for the switch than it did to install it! Thanks for sharing the knowledge! Happy New Year!