Is it true that the Top loading Admiral Washing Machine (model ATW4675YQ) agitates by reversing the motor every 2 seconds?

I can't answer by make or model, but I do know that modern washing machines have a motor that switches direction to agitate the drum. My mother-in-law has a machine like this. The only other moving part is a mode shift coil that can either lock the drum in one position while the agitation goes on and then it shifts to the other position in order to spin the drum. I know this because hers went out. Was going to cost $135.00 for a new mechanism and another $175 in labor to have it installed. She decided to scrap it. So I took it home and began investigating it.

Turned out that the mode shift coil has a safety device inside called a "Fusible Link". It's purpose is to interrupt current flow (electricity) if it gets too hot. So I did some calculations and determined that the link GE used was rated for 102% of the normal load. The machine was hardly used and less than two years old when it went out. Not desiring to disassemble the entire washer just to install a new ($135) mechanism I decided to cut the coil open. When I found the problem it took $1.98 at radio shack to get a new fusible link. But this time I calculated the value needed to run the equipment at 133% of normal operation, while keeping the machine safe from overheating.

The machine is still in use today. That repair was six years ago.

Yes, her machine did in fact have a motor that switched direction every few seconds (not sure of the timing). It is run by a motor - inverter system. You'd think I'd be more familiar with that sort of stuff, being an electrical engineer for 30 plus years. My how things have changed.

This model uses a gearcase. It has an actuator to change from agitate to spin. The motor turns the same way the entire time.