Product review (5 stars): A cheap DIY fix for the weekend handyman
I bought my Neptune in 2001. In 2007 it refused to execute the spin cycle and go any further.
A little web searching showed many people having had the same problem with these earlier generation Neptunes. One link took me to an auction listing. Apparently, this problem is so prevalent that a kit to remedy this break-down is widely sold.

As I rememba: The kit I bought supplied the wax motor and a few resistors, or something. The wax motor is a solenoid type switch that locks the door before the spin cycle. A safety thing, so your brat kid don't open the door and throw in Putty-Tat as the drum is turning a hundred miles per hour. When the wax motor blows, it may take a few circuit board elements with it.
I suppose an unscrupulous repairman can charge you for a brand new control board, but just replace the blown resistors on your old board.
I suppose an ethical repairman would explain your options, along with the risks, and allow you to choose the plan of attack. Maybe new parts is the best choice if you are paying him big bucks for his labor.

As for me, I bought the parts and did the work myself. It cost me less than $40 to get us back on the wash. After reading an online repair estimate, paying someone to fix it wasn't an option. I didn't think the washer had much more life to it. Also, at that time I was gainfully employed and I would have purchased a brand new washer than risk throwing good money after bad.

If you own an old Neptune, you'd be smart to replace the wax motor before it goes bad and blows parts on your control board.
If your washer has stopped working, check the control board for burnt stuff. Don't replace only those resistors. Also replace the wax motor before turning on the washer again because a bad wax motor will kill the new resistors, just like it killed the old ones.

It's now July, 2012 in this 2-people household and my Neptune keeps on spinning.

Update 5-2016: Mr. Neptune is still making soup. Though, the washer's hot water supply hasn't worked in years. I haven't investigated. We just wash everything with cold. The wifey is chomping at the bit for this washer to explode so she can go buy something frivolous in crimson red with a built-in TV set.