Hi Matt,
Check the out of balance switch not to be confused with the door latch switch. The out of balance microswitch should have attached next to it a piece of thin plastic going down near the side of the bowl.
The out of balance switch can cause shorts or opens and causing a false out of balance and will sit there until the balance is fixed therefore no spin.
my sugestion if you know how to is test all your switches and connections also a cheap multimeter will come in handy and save alot of dollars.
if you have some knowledge and expert knowledge of mains power u can try this at your own responsiblity:
the out of balance switch needs a NO = normally open or NC = Normally closed circiut. You could remove one wire off the switch and tape up with insulation tape(triple X2 dont be sparingly cover all the metal on the connector and at least 3 cm down) WITH POWER OFF FIRST test if machine fires up and will fill machine and do all the stuff you want it to if it fails on the spin again next try both wires together causing a NC circuit .
normally the side if the switch has a small diagram and it will show wether or not it is a NO or NC switch so check that first if you do have a meter
also I can only put the black flake stuff down to gearbox fluid (faulty seal starting to give on the main shaft) or if you wash heavy soiled clothes alotta dirt oil etc it can form a layer of grim on the bottom and sides of the bowl try a enviromental friendly grease cleaner wash in water only.
fortunelty I think your Drive belt is safe and not breaking up into your clothes the belt is external from the bowl and would have to do a pretty wild move 2 get up the top of your machine.
good luck hope u get things resolved
good luck!
brad
April 2005