Whirlpool washing machine started mading high-pitched whine...

[Centurion13]

This happened during the spin cycle this morning. 

Whirlpool model: WTW5540SQ0

When I open the lid, the whine dies away immediately as the motor stops.

When I close it, it starts up again.  When the spin cycle ended, the noise stopped

There was no whining sound during the fill and wash cycle, but I walked in from the garage to find my washer doing this, so I am running another load to get more information.  I will update this post as needed.

What is worn/wearing out?  Is it the pump?  

I went to download the service manual your site has available, was told to upgrade my membership, then discovered the only membership available is the $149 level for the professional repairman.  I am not a repairman, just a poor schlub who wants to fix his washing machine.

Thank you all for any help you can give.

 

Regards,

Steve

 

 

[16345Ed]

Based on what you described I think it only makes the noise in the spin cycle. 

Without hearing it... 

Very likely bad bearings but you should check for something stuck in the drain pump. 

 

[Hiroshi]

I second that motion, definitely check the drain pump, if an object spins around in there too long it will bore a hole in the plastic and cause a nasty leak... If you unclip the pump, you can run the motor without it attached and listen for the noise- "zero in" on it, so to speak