Washer fills up only half way but water keeps trying to fill tub

call a local repair service either the pump is gone or the line to it is plugged with perhaps a sock

The fill switch is bad. That's the only "safety" on the washer that will shut the water off after reaching desired depth. To test it, run your machine on the various water levels. For example, start out on the low setting. If the water doesn't shut off after the tub is half full, then it's the fill switch inside the unit next to the tub.

Possibly your problem is the tube that tells the machine when the water is full. It may be blocked.

Try this. With the wash tub empty, start to fill with water. Without turning washer off, unplug the washer from wall.

If water filling stops (hot and cold), then you are looking at a bad timer assembly. Replacement isn't that hard, parts can be difficult to find though.

If water continues to fill, your valve body / solenoid assembly is likely full of lime-scale. Easily replaced.

The water is siphoning out as it fills. Your drain hose is too low or has a air block. Remove the drain hose from the drain. Set the washer to fill. Hold the drain hose up higher than the washer. If it fills correctly and starts agitating,correct the drain hose problem.

Might be the water inlet valve at the back of the machine where the hose connects too, replace the valve and see if that fixes the prob

Check the drain hose to make sure you have a high loop, ie. make sure the drain hose loops above the height of the washer lid before going to the drain pipe.
Also make sure the drain hose is not going too far down into the drain pipe.
You may be getting a siphon effect.

the solution to the problem was....a few days before we noticed the washer was not filling all the way, the plumber had come over to clear our pipe, because it was not draining. He had tightened the clamp we were using to keep the pipe in place too tightly, it was air tight and it was creating a vacuum and siphoning the water out when it got to a certain level. We took the clamp off since there was no longer a need for it and the washer fills up and drains as it should.

I suspect you have a water inlet valve problem. When the valves fail, they tend to either leak by, or do not open at all. The symptom you are describing is typical of an inlet valve that is not closing properly. The leak may be minute, but over time, it fills the tub and over flows. To access the water inlet valve, you will need to remove the washer top panel. Remove the three screws in the back that hold the top in place and slide the panel straight back and lift off. The water inlet valve will be located on the left hand side in the rear between the fill hoses and the dispenser (as viewed from the front of the washer). If you wish to perform this repair yourself, you can find the part at searspartsdirect.com. Just type in your complete model number and the part can be located on the next page under the "Dispenser Parts" section as item number one (part #8181694). The replacement process is very simple. Just turn off the water source, remove the fill hoses, the dispenser hose and the mounting screws. If you need further assistance, please let me know. I hope this helps you.

dtfpaf, you need to replace the water inlet valve. Easy job, post the model number and we'll get you a part number...Catriver post back.