I've been in same boat, my Whirlpool (2 yrs old in April) started to act weird in March, when I came home after being gone all day and found it running, lights off (had not used it for a week). I was able to fool it a few times but week to week it got worse, a struggle to get it into a wash mode...
1983 Maytag washer and dryer set
My mom had that same white 83 washer and then an 84 dryer (almond rather than white) - I ended up with both 10 yrs later and they lasted me about 12-15 years. The seal went out in the washer and the element in the dryer - sadly I replaced them and regret not...