I have a six-year-old Whirlpool Direct Driver clothes washer (top
load).

Recently, we've noticed on occassion -- not all the time, maybe one
time out of seven -- the machine goes through the regular wash cycle
and then "automatically" proceeds to the "extra rinse" cycle, which it
completes perfectly, before shutting off.

Now, supposedly, WE HUMANS are supposed to turn on this extra rinse if
we see the need. So, either this machine has educated itself over the
years, or there is some problem.

Working through my repair books, as well as checking out the web, it
seems as if the timer may be the culprit. Said timer is about $80. I
really don't feel like spending that unless I need to.

So, understanding that my electrical skills are limited, is there a
possibility that I just need to clean a connection on the wires, or
something like that? I could PROBABLY handle that much. And, I could
probably handle replacing the timer outright if I really need to.

If I do nothing, what's the worst that will happen -- it will stop
working? As long as I don't have a flood and it doesn't damage more
parts, I don't mind being without the washer for a few days until I
replace the timer when and if it comes to that.

Thoughts?

Tim