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

Find the required part specific to your product.

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 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

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....

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.

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier....

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect....

Troubleshooting a stuck trash compactor drawer

Troubleshooting a stuck trash compactor drawer

Learn what to check if you are having problems with the drawer sticking on your trash compactor....