Kenmore 110.92587210 washer runs 30 secs; stops, pauses, repeats

[m_a_sciuri]

Konnichiwa.  Newbie desu.

After 15+ years of trouble-free operation, venerable Kenmore-san is on the fritz.  Fills and drains fine, but in agitation and spin modes the motor runs for about 30 seconds, then stops, accompanied by a mild electrical smell, and in spin mode, a faint rubber smell..  Starts again by itself after a minute or two of rest.

This is a direct-drive machine, so no belt.  The only moving rubber parts are the coupler, which I've inspected and found to be in fine condition, and the impeller in the pump. 

I removed the pump (sealed plastic; cannot be opened) and spun the impeller by hand.  There's a bit of resistance, but I can see no foreign objects that would cause it.  Ran the machine with the pump detached and got the same symptoms, so r/o pump.

With motor/gearbox removed from machine, I can spin the motor shaft smoothly in both directions.  It doesn't spin "freely," but the degree of tension is about what I'd expect given that it's still connected to the gearbox.

Clutch and brake look okay.  Some wear, but as expected given the machine's age.

No corrosion or other damage to any of the wiring or electrical connectors.  Have not done any continuity, voltage, or amperage tests.

Tried it today with agitation basket out, pump disconnected, and motor cold.  It ran about 30 sec in spin mode before it quit.  Motor windings quite hot to the touch.

Thoughts?  I don't mind spending a few bucks to replace minor components like the clutch or capacitor, but given the machine's age, replacing major components like the motor or transmission ($200) makes little sense.  Hoping for some collective wisdom from the board.

[sh2sh2]

Something is causing the motor to overheat and cut out on the thermal overload, it could be a motor problem or something else like the timer or speed switch energizing 2 windings at once

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Looks like this one does have the speed selector switch and they have been a probmatic part.

When the motor is running for 30 seconds does it seem to sound louder than it did normally.

What you are smelling is most like as sh2sh2 says the motor running on two windings at the same time and causing the motor to overheat and trip the thermal overload in the motor, (the smell is the motor winding shellac burning from overheating).

Try turning the speed setting switch back and forth really fast and sometimes that will break welded points apart and/or try it on different settings and see if it works OK on another setting, (probably won't work on other settings either if points are welded together).

[evaappliance]

Adding to what the others said, if it is the speed switch it will usually run on the slow speed without shutting off