Re: hotpoint 9605
What do you mean by ‘old clutch stiff’? , New or old the clutch shoes should not be loose and floppy.
Faulty lid switch, faults on water level push button switches, sticking pressure switch can all stop a supply to the brake lever.
The earlier machines would not run at all on spin if the lid switch was faulty but the later models would run the motor and drain even if the lid switch was faulty.
I may have a copy of the manual if you think it would help.
Jim.
PS. The lid switch can be adjusted by removing the small rubber bung, on the left hand side at the top, screw it in to adjust.