April 19, 2023

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.

trash compactor

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR TRASH COMPACTOR PROBLEM

JC-TC-Replace-the-trash-compactor-drawer-tilt-switch

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

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Most common symptoms to help you fix your trash compactors

Choose a symptom to see related trash compactor repairs.

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Main cause: faulty drawer tilt switch …

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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.

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How to replace a trash compactor power switch

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Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a trash compactor momentary start 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…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a trash compactor motor centrifugal switch

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…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less

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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How to load a trash compactor

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