Washer machines repair - Maytag washing Machine would only spin on light loads now it wont spin at all

I have a Maytag washing Machine Model PAV 3200AAW Rev 12 Ser no 12704413ZW. for some time it wo..

I have a Maytag washing Machine Model PAV 3200AAW Rev 12 Ser no 12704413ZW. for some time it would only spin on light loads now it wont spin at all. I live on an island so inconvenient to take it to a service agent in Brisbane so would like some suggestions as to what i could check, I am fairly handy and have some electrical knowledge as well.

The motor runs in one direction to agitate, in the opposite direction to spin. If the reversing switch is bad, the brake will not release, the tub won't spin, and you may smell the belt getting hot due to slippage.
3 conditions possible,
-It doesn't pump or spin
-It pumps, but doesn't spin
-It spins only with the lid closed
1)If it doesn't pump water out or spin, check to see if the motor is running, then proceed as follows:
* If the motor is running, your washer probably has a frozen pump pulley or a broken pump belt. To check the pulley, remove the pump from the washer and try to rotate the pulley manually. If it doesn't turn freely--if it's frozen or stiff--replace it. If the pump belt is broken or looks quite worn, replace it--but be sure to check the pump pulley before you change the belt.
* If the motor isn't running, the lid switch may be defective. If so, the washing machine can't spin and may not function at all. The switch is inside the washing machine main housing near the door frame. Often you have to raise or open the top or front of the washing machine to get to the switch. If it's defective, you need to replace it.
2)It pumps, but doesn't spin
If your washer pumps out the water but doesn't spin, check these:
* The lid switch may be defective. If it is, the washing machine doesn't spin. The switch is inside the washing machine main housing near the door frame. Often you have to raise or open the top or front of the washing machine to get to the switch. If it's defective, you need to replace it.
* The motor coupler may be broken. Many Whirlpool-manufactured washers use a small, relatively inexpensive motor coupling. It's plastic and rubber and is mounted to the shaft of the motor on one side, and to the transmission on the other. Over time, the coupler wears out and fails. You may need to replace it.
* A belt may be broken. Many washing machines have one or two belts. If a belt is broken or badly worn, you need to replace it with a genuine belt from the manufacturer. (Some washing machine belts are designed with special characteristics not found in automotive belts.)
* The clutch may be worn. If your washer is a GE, it may use a clutch to come up to the proper spin speed. As the clutch wears out, it may prevent the unit from spinning well or at all. If the clutch is worn, you need to replace it. For this job, you probably want to hire a qualified appliance repair technician.
* The drive motor may be defective. Many washer brands use a reversing motor. For agitation the motor runs in one direction, for spinning and draining, the other. It's possible for a motor to burn out in one direction and continue to operate in the other. If this happens, you need to replace the entire motor.
* The transmission may not be shifting properly. Older washers produced by Whirlpool have a transmission with an electro-mechanical shifter. If the shifter becomes even partially defective, the unit may drain the water but not spin. This is a complex system, if your washer has a shifter problem, you may want to hire a qualified appliance repair technician to repair it.
* The spin bearing or basket drive may be worn or seized. These components allow the inner tub to spin freely inside the outer tub. When this is the problem, you usually hear a loud sound during the spin cycle. Call a qualified appliance repair technician.
3)It spins only with the lid closed
For safety, washing machines are made so that they spin only with the lid closed. The lid switch prevents the spinning action when the lid is up.

Thanks for the advice, at least I now have a better understanding of how it spins, didnt know about the reverse motor direction for spin and agitate.
With the machine turned off I have tried rotating the outer tub by hand and it wont move, would that suggest the brake is engaged??
My machine does pump the water out but does not spin and I dont think it is the lid switch so guess the most lkely problem is the motor coupling or the clutch.
I note that you refer to Whirlpool in your reply, is maytag and whirlpool on of the same??

mabe i can help, being a maytag and if you having spin problems and got slower till non and you have tried turning the pulley with no luck and tub does not turn then the washer has been leaking water down though the seals and spin bearings and has froze up.
you will need to rebuild the top end of the washer , all the parts on the left side of this picture above the transmission / good luck
Larry

hmy washing machine does not reverses anymore... it only goes clockwise.. how can i fix it? thanks!