Trash Compactor: Why wont my trash compactor's ram go down?
A faulty drawer tilt switch will prevent the ram from going down more than an inch or two. If the motor starts and the ram moves down slightly then reverses and move back to its top position and the drawer is fully closed, check for continuity through the drawer tilt switch. The drawer tilt switch should only reverse the drawer if it detects that the drawer popped open during trash compaction.
Using a multimeter, check for continuity through the drawer tilt switch with its plunger pushed in. If the meter measures continuity, replace the drawer tilt switch because it's reversing the ram even though the drawer is fully shut.
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR TRASH COMPACTOR PROBLEM
Replace the trash compactor drawer tilt switch
The drawer tilt switch stops the compactor drive motor if the drawer tilts open. If the drawer is forced open 1/4 inch or more when the ram compacts the trash in the drawer, the tilt switch stops the motor. If the tilt switch fails to stop the motor and the ram gets jammed in the drawer, replace the drawer tilt switch.
Trash compactor drawer tilt switch
Most common symptoms to help you fix your trash compactors
Choose a symptom to see related trash compactor repairs.
Main causes: broken drive gear and sprocket chain, stripped power nuts, faulty top limit and directional switch…
Main causes: stuck foot pedal, bad momentary start switch, power switch failure…
Main cause: broken top limit and directional switch…
Main causes: bent drawer support rollers, damaged trash container…
Main causes: stripped or broken power nuts, broken or disconnected drive gear and sprocket chain, damaged drive parts…
Main cause: faulty drawer tilt switch …
Main causes: lack of power, faulty drawer safety switch, bad power switch, momentary start switch failure, bad drive mot…
Most common repair guides to help fix your trash compactors
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your trash compactor.
How to replace a trash compactor power switch
If the trash compactor won’t power up, use the steps in this repair guide to replace the power switch.…
How to replace a trash compactor momentary start switch
The momentary start switch starts the motor when you lift the foot pedal. This repair guide shows how to replace the swi…
How to replace a trash compactor motor centrifugal switch
If the trash compactor ram won’t return to the top position, replace the motor centrifugal switch by following the instr…
Effective articles & videos to help repair your trash compactors
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your trash compactor.
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Learn the proper way to place your trash in your trash compactor.…