Maytag washer model number PAV1000AWW. The washer fills with water then starts humming loud, then smells like something is burning (like a melting wire or something) and then just sits there. After a few seconds the humming stops and the washer just sits there. Could this be the motor or timer? I've taken the back off and do not see any melted wiring or anything.

Jerry, January 2006

Well, I may be barking up the wrong tree, but it may and probably is the agitator drive shaft ceased up in the top bushing. The burning smell may be your belt slipping. If the motor is turning, the belt is probably worn out or worn in one place. The agitator driveshaft can be removed, but it is a pretty big job. Make sure you have a day to work on it. You will have to remove the shaft from the bushing in the drive train and sand it lightly to remove the rust. Grease it and put it back in, making sure it is turning smoothly with your fingers. "Important": WHEN YOU REMOVE THE BIG ALUMINUM NUT HOLDING DOWN THE SPIN TUB, IT HAS A REVERSE THREAD. THE SAME GOES FOR THE BRASS CONE NUT HOLDING DOWN THE WATER BASIN TUB. You will need a short blunt punch and a hammer to take these nuts off, or the proper wrench. I'm not familiar with your model, but most Maytags are the same. You will also have to remove the transmission cover. Make sure you catch all the grease for reuse, unless there is water in it. It will be grey if there is water in it. In which case you will have to get new grease. Inside the transmission, there is a lock clipped onto the agitator drive shaft; remove it. The drive shaft can be pulled up through the bushing now. You will probably have to rig up a puller of some kind to do this. If you screw on the cone washer, put a large washer over it to push on, and cut a slot out of a couple of nine-sixteenths flat washers and slide them into the slot in the shaft, you can turn off the cone nut again and use it for a puller. Go to this site, http://www.appliance-parts-warehouse.com/ and see if you can find a schematic drawing of your model. Besides being a pretty big job, there are a few things you will probably need to buy. You should put new seals in tub and drive shaft. You'll probably need a new belt also. The parts can be bought at a local appliance repair shop. Check and see,how much they are. They should be well under $100. Good luck. I would put my e-mail address on here so I could help with specifics, but you know how much trouble that would cause me.

Ivan, February 2009

I'm actually having the EXACT same problem with mine. With the belt removed, the motor does spin, but takes some time to get up to speed. I'm actually suspecting it is the motor starter, but could be the motor itself. I'm just now trying to figure the problem out.

David W. in Ohio, February 2007

Hi, Thanks for the answer. The washer does not spin at all. I will remove the belt and see if anything works.

Jerry, January 2006

Hello,

Does it spin at all? I would remove the belt and then run the washer to make sure nothing is binding the motor up. It could be a bad motor shutting off on its overload.

JP, January 2006