[KingofQueens]

I have a Maytag A3320 top loader with serial number 100947 BY. The machine has not run in a number of years, but because of the raise in the price of gasoline I am now highly motivated to get this piece back on line.

The machine pumps in water and then stops. It will not go forward to the wash cycle. I have picked up the lid a number of times and I hear the clicking of the lid switch so I suspect, perhaps a false assumption, that it is working properly. On one of my attempts to move the machine I went to reset on the water level and then back to middle and the machine began to wash (agitate), but then stoped after a few seconds.

I've opened the top pannel and gained access to the control area. I removed the timer motor from the time and applied a 120 vac current to it through a surge protector. The motor ran fine. I then went back to the unit and moved the timer to 4 minutes of wash. I then took my screw driver and mover the paw up and down just as the motor is supposed to and the mechanism eventually moved from wash to spin, etc.

I don't want to bit the bullet in buy a replacement time because I've heard that this item is the most mis-diagnosed part on the machine.

Can someone please supply me with advice as to how to proceed from here? I have returned the time motor back into the timing mechanism.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

It could be the water level switch.

With the washer full of water unplug the washer and check for continuity between terminals 7 and 16 on the water level switch.

If there is no continuity replace the water level switch.

Here is a link to your washer model A8820.