GE washer doesn't want to spin

[northofhades]

Hi Washer Tech!

This washer does everything but spin (the pump comes on and the water is evacuated).  I took the front panel off and found that if I wiggled the connector at the motor, it would kick on and spin.  I have done this several times and verified that there is definitely a correlation between the connector being wiggled and the spin cycle working.  I removed the connector and closely inspected it and where it connects to the motor.  There is nothing out of place, nothing burnt, no bent spades or anything.  But sometimes 'gentle' wiggling is not enough to get it going, and I have to kind of grab the entire motor and connector and attempt to squeeze the two together, and that seems to help.  So far I have always been able to get the spin cycle to kick on this way.  

Is it common to have a problem like this?  Could it be bad windings in the motor?  Any suggestions on how to test that?  It's a pretty nice washer, by my standards, and I'm a mechanic, so fire away with the ideas.

Thanks for your help.

Model WPSQ4160T6WW

[JWWebster]

You might have to replace the safety switch in the lid. When you are yanking you might be causing it to work some of the time. Try by passing it.

[northofhades]

Thanks for the response!  I have already tried that.  Do you have any other suggestions?

[jumptrout51]

From your description, my thought is a bad wiring harness to the motor connector. Loose connections.

[northofhades]

OK, I will go through the wiring harness and check it out more carefully.  From both of your responses, it doesn't sound like either of you are suspicious of the motor... is it your experience that they do not fail very often, or when they do, it's not like this? 
And thanks again for your input.

[JWWebster]

This washer ain't worth sinking any more money in. If it looks like something major you needs ta toss this sucker like a bad ceasar salad.