Trash Compactor: Why won't my trash compactor start?

Lack of power, a failed drawer safety switch, bad power switch, faulty momentary start switch, failed top limit and directional switch, bad motor centrifugal switch, failed drive motor or a wiring failure will prevent the trash compactor from starting.

Check the electrical power supply for the compactor first. Check the house circuit breaker for the trash compactor's outlet and reset the circuit breaker if it's tripped.

If the breaker isn't tripped, pull the trash compactor out of the cabinet and plug a small lamp or appliance into the trash compactor's electrical outlet to check for power. If the electrical outlet is dead, have an electrician repair the outlet.

If the outlet has power, check the condition of the power cord and replace it if it's damaged.

If the power cord is okay, use a multimeter to check for continuity through the power switch with the power switch turned on. Replace the power switch if the meter measures infinite resistance through the power switch with the switch turned on.

If the power switch is okay, check for continuity through the momentary start switch with the switch plunger extended outward. The momentary start switch sends current to the motor when you close the drawer and the foot pedal assembly releases the lever that holds the plunger. Replace the momentary start switch if the switch measures infinite resistance.

Next, check the drawer safety switch for continuity with the drawer safety switch plunger pushed in. Replace the drawer safety switch if the meter measures infinite resistance.

If the drawer safety switch is okay, check for continuity through the top limit and directional switch. The internal switch contact should allow current to flow from the yellow wire to the red wire when the ram is fully raised. Check for continuity from the spade for the yellow wire to the spade for the red wires. Replace the top limit and directional switch if the meter measures infinite resistance. If the top limit and directional switch in your trash compactor differs from the one described here, refer to the tech sheet for your compactor to determine how to check the switch. You can typically find the tech sheet taped to the inside of the front panel or taped to the back panel of the trash compactor.

If the top limit and directional switch is okay, check for continuity through the motor centrifugal switch. The motor centrifugal switch closes its internal contact to allow current flow between the blue and brown wires when the motor isn't running. This contact sends current to the motor start windings. If that contact is broken, the motor won't start. Check for continuity between the spade for the blue wire and the spade for the brown wires. Replace the motor centrifugal switch if the meter measures infinite resistance through that contact. If the motor centrifugal switch in your trash compactor differs than the one described here, refer to the tech sheet for your compactor to determine how to check the motor centrifugal switch.

If all of the switches in the motor circuit are okay, then a bad motor or a wiring failure could be preventing the trash compactor from starting.

Check the wiring connections on the drive motor. Reconnect any loose wires. Using the wiring diagram in the tech sheet as a guide, check the motor circuit wiring for continuity. If the meter measures infinite resistance through a wire or section of wiring, find and repair the wiring break.

If the motor won't run when activated, replace the drive motor.