How do I know what is wrong with my washer?

I have a washer/dryer stacker combo and it fills up with water but does not go move on to the agitator cycle. The timer does not advance either. In the wash cycle, I do hear what seems to be the motor but the agitator does not spin. An suggestions?
Jim in Vancouver, May 2005
could be the belt has snapped or fallen off.

Gary, May 2005
Hl Jim, it would help if I knew which washer you were talking about

333, May 2005