Washing machine busted workaround problem

Had a repair  fella round and he said our washing machine was done for , costs too much to repair blah blah etc , I,m not convinced ! its a sales tactic.
If i rip out the control electrics and get it back to bare bones components etc can i rewire to get basic functions via a homemade switch panel, has anyone done this before . We just need it to spin out first and then think about fill and pump control .
What about an arduino program control retro fit .
Something didnt function so i have to make an isolation test on the individual components first , its crazy throw it away when it can be fixed , no way !!!.

Unfortunately, so much is controlled electronically in new washers that you may find it next to impossible to convert to analog.  That said, give yourself more credit!  If you are thinking about using an arduino to control this, I am pretty confident you can source and order the proper electronic parts and repair it yourself

Malcolm, I think it's possible to replace the controls, wether they're digital or the old analog style. There's like two, maybe even three companies that actually manufacture appliances, and as a washing machine comes down the assembly line, the contracted companies logo is applied. The Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana, Kenmore etc may all look almost identical because they may indeed be, having been assembled in the same building. I think it's possible to find a replacement controller for your washing machine, even if it comes out of another brand machine.

Yes all points taken , i,m just pi**ed off with being told ohh its un-repairable or its going to cost a packet, yeah right !.
Even cars these days are virtually un repairable , so i,m going to go ahead and see what makes this thing tick, after all its just switching functions on and off and timing and of course switching heavy currents.
More investigation me thinks.