I have a whirlpool gsx988jq0 and wanted to know it is a belt drive or direct drive,because it spins and stops spinnig and makes a big pounding noise

Since I don't have the service manual for this model- I'm unsure if this is a direct drive motor to transmission or belt driven through pulleys.

In first scenario motor bearing is shot

Belt driven model, belt is worn or derailed from pulley

3rd reason, clothes could be stuck between spin drum and tub assembly, causing the spin drum to jam.

Thanks for choosing FixYa and welcome. You need to check the suspension of the washer and make sure everything is intact. Now, if the washer is thumping during spinning, this is probably the motor drive or the spin bearing. This would cause a lot of noise. Your washer will act up if it is not balanced right. Check the floor and make sure it is level. If that checks out, look into the motor drive and bearings. The motor drive controls the spinning.

The pump will make a sort of cyclic "creaking" noise just before it goes bad. You might want to remove the back panel and inspect the drive belt, make certain there are no knicks, loose pieces of rubber or it is slipping.
Let me know.
Regards,

Hi, Is the humming noise coming from the timer area? Do you know if it agitates ok?
When you have it in spin cycle, Try lifting the lid and see if the hum stops.
The reason for these questions is that on this model, if it drains the water out but does not spin, it is either lid switch, coupler, or transmission.
If it's the coupler, it will not agitate either.
Please let me know so I can assist you further.

Thanks
Vic

Leaks water...check the pump first. The fill valve and hoses may be the next step. See how to take apart info. With the use of plastic drain hoses on many machines today, this has become a common leak trouble maker. The drain hose can rub the wall or a pipe and this will rub a hole in the drain hose.
 

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This is joyce
sounds like the belt needs to be tighter. sounds like its slipping on pully. that may be why its not spinning correctly.
thanks
joyce

Hi, There are several causes for this problem. Check these.

• No spin at all: the lid switch is fried. You test it with your meter.                                  There will be a motor which spins the washing machine's drum.                                              If you don't hear the motor running, then its the lid switch which would have been broken and needs replacing. A bad lid switch wil interrupt the spin cycle.

• In the Whirlpool washers, a common problem is that the lid plunger stops making contact with the lid switch. Use a pen to manually press the lid switch actuator (with the lid up, duh). If the washer spins...well, you know the rest.

• Older (belt-drive) Whirlpool: the spin solenoid is burned out or has cut wires. Ohm out that solenoid (20-30 ohms) and test with a test cord. Make sure the wires are intact by giving them a little tug. If this is OK, you may need to adjust/replace the basket drive.

• Newer (direct-drive) Whirlpool:  worn out direct drive coupler.

• The drive belt has had it. Look for excessive glazing on the sides of the belt or cracks in the power side of the belt. On Maytags, replace the belt set if they look glazed or shiny on the sides even though the belts may look OK otherwise. Belts on other brands will be more obviously bad. Here's how to replace the belt on older Whirlpool/Kenmore belt-drive washers, and on old-style GE/Hotpoint washers.

• Timer is fried. On older timers, it's sometimes possible to run an external jumper to replace the bad internal contacts. Usually, however, the entire timer must be replaced. The only way to confirm is to use your meter and wiring diagram.

These are the causes that have to be inspected. You can also visit this site www.whirlpool.com/custserv/index.jsp

Hope my info solves your problem, Thanx for using fixya, Good luck.

My mum had this problem. I think it had something to do with the barrel coming loose.. - get a plummer ;)

The first thing to do is to make sure there is nothing sticking through the holes in the basket that is rubbing the inside of the tub.(nails, screws, wires)
If this is ok, tilt the machine back so you can remove the belt and turn each pulley individually. Be sure to turn the transmission pulley both directions.(it is the big one) The most likely culprit is the water pump has something in it or the seal sleeve on the pump has fallen out of place and is rubbing the pulley.
Post back with what you find out and we will go further if we need to.