My washing machine is not changing cycles. It fills, drains and refills. It sat unused for 1 year. 12 months ago it was working fine.

Here are some basic troubleshooting steps you can follow to help you determine why your washing machine won't drain:

1. Check the drain hose in the back of the machine and make sure it isn't kinked or flattened.

2. If it spins but won't drain, there could be a piece of fabric stuck between the inner and outer tub, or even the drain hose or pump itself. The farther into the machinery a clog goes, the trickier it can be to remove. It could also be a faulty timer.

3. Are clothes soaked at the end of the wash, even though it appears to go through the spin and drain cycles? Worn or loose belts could be the culprit.

4. When the spin cycle starts, do you hear a humming noise? It could be a faulty or jammed impeller pump.

For more suggestions on troubleshooting and fixing this issue, check out Washing machine not draining. I hope this helps!

I agree, it is most likely a timer problem. Possibly "rust" build-up.

See the Whirlpool / Kenmore Service manual for top load, direct drive washer for troubleshooting and diagnostics procedures.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

Solution for WTW57ESVW0 Whirlpool Washer that won't fill or agitate, but will spin and drain water.

Replacing the Auto Load Sensing Switch (W10177795 - Illus. No. 12 on Control and Rear Panel Parts) fixed the problem.

In addition, a defective switch can also cause the machine to start agitating while it is filling.

It is relatively easy to replace and there are online videos that can help with the replacement.

Possibly your problem is the tube that tells the machine when the water is full. It may be blocked.

Most units have a recirculating pump, and an output (drain) pump.

If I were you, I would disconnect it, drag it outside and turn upside-down (remove everything internal first)
Take off the drain pump and check over, then check the main pump motor for free rotation first.
Also clean both those, and check condition of hoses/ carbon brushes on main motor while you're there.
Doing this full service now should give you a long run without problems.
My guess is the main motor seal may have leaked a very little, allowing the spindle to sieze. Freeing it and applying light oil with regular use should be ok.
Replace carbon brushes if worn to save hassle later - they're cheap.

Take the drain hose out of the drain pipe and put it into a sink to test the machine

If that works make sure that the drain hose is being allowed to breath (ie let air into the main drain pipe so that the machine does not set up a syphon).

It sounds like the timer/controler is broken replace it. Peter

Can you hear the pump running if not the machine may be syphoning out, if the outlet is into the down pipe too far this can cause it to syphon. The outlet should only be into it by about 6". The machine will fill with more water on the rince than the wash cycle that will cause the problem. If you can hear the pump running the machine mite be over filling there may a blockage in the presure system if you take the lid off (making sure the powers turned off) you will find a round switch with a thin hose comming off it tace the hose and you should find a small bottle this may be blocked. Hope this helps you.

Micro, sounds like your drain hose is too far down the standpipe and it is siphoning. Pull the drain hose out and see if it fills ok. Catriver.

try wash it empty add no soap.. at the end of the wash cycle before it goes into spin open the lid and see if you have soap bubbles.. if you do have have a build up of soap and are using to much or the wrong soap for you area... let me know what you find out...