I have a Maytag Performa PAV2300AWW that quit during a rinse cycle. We have noticed a buring smell like the belt for the last few days. Now it quit altogether. I got it to "try" to spin, but it struggled trying to turn the drum. After a few seconds, it stopped completely. Any ideas?

Colby, October 2009

Sometimes a straight pin or another small object will get into the pump and lock it up. It will work perfectly during fill and agitate, but will lock up on drain/spin because of debris in the pump. Check to see if the pump turns. If the belt is turning the other pulleys but the pump pully is not turning and the belt is slipping on it, Im guessing your pump is bad. Remove it and try turning it backwards by hand, you may be able to free the bebris, but it is best to replace it at this point because they are pretty cheap.

daryldavis, April 2011

It sounds like a transmission or brake problem. Time to hand it over to someone experienced as these machines & parts are not cheap. So you may end up doing far more damage than is necessary if you attempt it yourself. Do not under any circumstances attempt to dismantle the brake assembly with out the proper tools & knowledge. It contains heavy springs under extreme pressure & can cause injury if it flies apart while you are working on it.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, November 2009

oops, i got that backwards. it spins freely when rotating counter-clockwise. It binds up when trying to spin it clockwise.

Colby, November 2009

Drive belt seems little burnt. no cracks or tears. the pump moves freely. Motor seems a little stiff, but probably normal for an electric motor. It spun without the belt on. the transmission for the drum seem very stiff! it turns freely rotating clockwise, but when i turn it counterclockwise, it turns about a quarter of a turn then locks up completely. I can not turn it at all. Then it is hard to "unstick it" turning it back clockwise again. I can see the brake? moving upward when i turn it clockwise. It seems bound up. I got the clothes out and drained it. took the inner and out drums out. Then tried it again, and it still can't turn on its own. i can smell the belt burning and after a few seconds it clicks and quits trying, just like before.

Colby, November 2009

Have you checked the drive belt underneath?

Lincoln Appliance NZ, November 2009