How Do I Repair My Kitchen Aid Compactor

Your trash compactor is one of the most underappreciated appliances in your domicile. Larn how to detect and fix some of the about mutual bug.

Trash compactor in the kitchen

Your trash compactor can make dealing with household waste so much easier, simply not when it isn't working properly. Few things are more frustrating than having your trash compactor or other garbage disposal system go along the fritz.

While your American Home Shield® home warranty can cover repair or replacement of your trash compactor, it'southward always simplest and easiest if yous can troubleshoot and repair trash compactor problems on your own.

These solutions to mutual trash compactor problems volition help you avert waiting on a repair and the frustration that comes with realizing you lot could have fixed a simple problem yourself and saved some money.

Your Compactor Is Making Weird Noises

If your trash compactor has started making loud noises, like banging, thumping, squealing or whining, the problem may be the drive gear. Turn off power to the unit, and so remove the bottom cover to locate the bulldoze gear, which has plastic teeth. Breakage or wear on these teeth could mean information technology'due south time to replace information technology. Cheque for harm to the power spiral sockets, the motor gear and the concatenation while you lot're at it. The motor gear, which is connected to the drive shaft, besides has plastic teeth which can pause. Make sure to check that the chain has the right amount of tension — most half an inch of deflection — particularly if you lot are replacing it. Lubricate all gears earlier putting your trash compactor dorsum together.

Banging, crashing or whining noises could as well be the event of a faulty directional or height limit switch. This switch can be found inside the elevation of the unit of measurement. Shut off ability to the unit, remove it from your chiffonier if it's built-in, and unscrew the tiptop panel. Verify that the tab on the ram is positioned to activate the switch lever. Utilize a multimeter to check the switch for continuity. When activated, the switch should have no continuity; if information technology does, supercede it.

If that'south non the problem, place the ram in the top position, and check the ability nuts. Tape the switch in place to go along it from breaking while you perform this check. If you can't move the ram to its top position, place the unit of measurement on its side and take off the bottom panel. Cheque the power nuts for damage, then lubricate them.

Your Compactor Won't Beginning

A trash compactor that won't start may accept problems with the start switch, the bulldoze motor, the foot pedal or the directional switch. Locate the outset switch behind the control console if your compactor powers on via a button on the control panel, or in the drawer if it powers on via foot pedal. Make sure the contacts on the switch are undamaged and are not corroded. If you have a foot-pedal-activated compactor, make sure it'south lined up right to actuate the switch when pressed. Consult your compactor's wiring schematic and use a multimeter to bank check the continuity of the switch; it should show continuity when activated, but not when at rest.

To cheque your compactor's drive motor, shut off power to the unit of measurement and remove information technology from the cabinet. Accept off the bottom console and disconnect the wires from the motor, taking care to remember which wires hooked up to which terminals. Use your multimeter to check for continuity in the centrifugal switch and the motor windings. The readings should show almost no resistance in the centrifugal switch and a few ohms of resistance in the motor windings.

Cheque the directional switch by removing the top panel to find it, as described above. Consult your unit's wiring schematic to determine which terminals to test for continuity. Usually, terminals C and NC should accept continuity when not activated, and terminals C and NO should have continuity when activated.

If your compactor turns on via foot pedal, pull out the drawer and brand sure the pes pedal mounting screws are tight. Check that the activator lever is coming into contact with the switch.

The Ram Gets Stuck

If the ram is stuck in a down position, open up the bottom panel and cheque the drive gear. Brand sure that the chain has the appropriate half-inch of deflection. If there are no problems with the drive gear, cheque the directional switch. You can lay the unit of measurement on its side and manually turn the drive gear to raise the ram. You tin remove the summit panel and the ram mounting brackets to remove the ram from your unit. Check the switch terminals for continuity and brand certain that they aren't stuck open or closed. They can become welded open up or airtight over time.

With the ram in an upward position, check the power nuts for damage. These are located on the sides of the ram. Replace them if they are worn or cleaved, and lubricate them earlier reassembling your compactor. Take care not to break the directional switch while manipulating the ram; it'due south a good idea to tape information technology, as it tin interruption easily.

It Keeps Running Subsequently the Cycle Ends

If your compactor keeps running later on the wheel ends, it could need a new elevation limit/directional switch or a new outset switch. Locate these equally described to a higher place, and use your unit'south wiring schematics to check their continuity with a multimeter. The top limit/directional switch should take no continuity when activated. The commencement switch should show continuity only in the start position, merely it may show continuity in the off position too, if it is lacking.

It Won't Stay On to Consummate a Cycle

If your trash compactor won't stay on long enough to consummate a bicycle, you may demand to check and replace the top limit/directional switch or the drive motor. The cycle selector switch could also be the issue. The cycle selector switch is located on the command panel. You lot will need to remove the unit from the cabinet and cheque its wiring schematics to determine which terminals to check for continuity. If there is no continuity when the switch is fix to normal, y'all should supervene upon information technology.

Nosotros've already discussed locating and testing the pinnacle limit/directional switch. To locate and remove the drive motor, take off the bottom panel and the bolts on the motor mounting plate. Loosen and remove the drive chain, motor gear and drive gear. Disconnect any connecting wires from their terminals, as well every bit the wire harness connector. Then have off the motor mounting bolts and remove the motor itself in order to supplant it.

The Drawer Won't Open or Won't Stay Closed

When your trash compactor'southward drawer won't open or won't shut, commonly information technology'due south a problem with either the drawer rollers or the pes pedal. The drawer rollers may take become damaged or warped, or they may simply need to be greased. To check them, lift the drawer out of its opening and inspect the rollers for harm. If they demand to be replaced, you may need to utilize a socket to take off the hex nuts securing the drawer frame. You may besides need to remove the unit'southward feet. Make sure your rollers are well-lubricated before reassembling your unit.

If the rollers look good, check the human foot pedal mounting screws. Tighten them if they are loose. Audit the foot pedal and drawer catch for damage, and ensure that the human foot pedal is aligned to come into contact with the drawer catch.

Sometimes, fixing your own appliances is just too much trouble, specially when you lot're busy with work, kids, friends and hobbies. American Home Shield can help. Our home warranty coverage options are designed to make information technology easy to fit repairs into your busy life. Phone call us today and become the help y'all need to repair and maintain your home's systems and appliances.

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AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your employ of any and all information contained herein.