Fred for Model Number PAV2300AWW Our Maytag PAV2300AWW Performa Washer is now 16 years old. A few weeks ago it started emitting a odor that smelled like burning candles. The washing machine was still running fine. We had no idea where the smell was coming from. Finally during one of the washes the machine shut down. Turns out the motor seized up. Looked at some video's online as to what the problem could be and purchased a new motor and belt. Before installing it I checked the trans pully and pump pully to make sure they turned freely. The pump pully turned freely both ways but the trans pully only turned freely clockwise. Counter clockwise there was some resistence. I thought I was good to go and fired the machine up with the new motor attached. The Machine ran like brand new. We must of done at least 10 washes over a weeks time with it but a few nights ago we heard the machine shut down on its own. I walked in and saw it shut down right at the Spin Cycle and there was a odor of a different kind again and we still had water in the tub. I waited until it cooled down to start it again in the Spin Cycle to get the water pumped out. Had to do that twice being it shut down I would guess within 10-15 seconds. Once the water was out I took the front cover of the washer off the machine to observe the motor. Started it and saw smoke coming from the motor so I shut it down right away. I then unplugged it and tilted the machine to check the belt and pully's. The belt after taking it off and inspecting it still looks like brand new and the motor did not seize up. The pully spins freely. At this point I have no idea what to check. The machine didn't make any weird noises or anything during the 10 or so washes with the new motor attached. Don't know if the motor is defective or if something caused the motor to strain that it started to smoke and emitt a odor that was different from the odor that was emitting from the original motor after 16 years of trouble free washing. Any help is fully appreciated. We really like this machine and really don't want to buy a new machine the way they are being made today with all the electronics.
Answer Fred, see if you can manually turn the pulley counter clock wise several turns, this will engage the brake to turn the basket or put it into spin mode. Turning the pulley clock wise will dis-engage the brake and allow the agitator to operate. You may find that the gearcase is binding and not allowing it to go into spin, in that case you would need to replace the gearcase. Read More... Answered by AppliancePartsPros.com | Wednesday, August 1, 2018