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Broken Drive Gear
Removed the gear cover at the bottom of the compactor. Loosened the slack on the chain. Replaced the gear drive. Replaced the gear cover. Worked like new. No major obstacles.
Unit cycled when on switch operated and would not stop until Off switch was activated.
Replaced the limit switch. This did not alter the problem. Took off the On/Off/Start switch and dissasembled. I found the the Start switch was stuck in the on position. I reassembled the switch mechanism assuring that the Red "ON" indicator moldings were correctly positioned and reassembled everything. The Compactor now works properly. Need to add "Check the Start switch" to diagnosis.
I took the hex screws out with a nut driver and then punched out the role pin in the pinion gear (the little gear) and replaced it along with the large gear, less than 15 minutes. I was surprised how fast (day and a half) the parts were here.
Kitchenaid had a problem with its footswitch. It was a flimsy piece of metal that pushed in a switch. The flimsy metal part is no longer produced, and they have a replacement kit. The instructions provided that you pull the frame apart, but I was able to do it by coaxing out the old switch, reconnecting and inserting the new switch, and then drilling and screwing in the new switch actuator. The old switch activated the unit when pushed in, the new switch activates the unit when let out.
The part was suppose to come with instructions, but did not. However, it was easy after reading the comments on-line, and discovering that the front cover had to be removed in order to expose the whole switch and wires. I did drop one of the mounting screws down the front of the compactor and was not able to recover it. So, I had to make a trip to the hardware store for a replacement. They couldn't match the remaining screw but I found 2 similar ones with lock washers and nuts that worked just fine. I saved a $90 service charge and probably double the cost of the switch by doing it myself.
Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers, Wrench (Adjustable), Wrench set
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compactor wouldn't compact
bought new gears, pulled it out and replaced the gears. wasn't very hard. I did expect a jenn-air to be better built (plastic gears really!) but for 30 bucks it is all better.
Had to first raise the screw plate that compacts the garbage. Then had to turn the compactor over and remove screws holding the bottom plate on in order to get to the gears. Once that was done I removed the worn gears and the chain drive and replaced with the new gears and the chain. Put the unit back together and works like a new one. A $35 dollar fix for a unit that sells for around $900 today. Thanks to partslect for being able to help me with the parts needed. Not only did I save on a new unit but by doing this myself I saved around $100 in labor charges.
Same problem as described previously on this site. Pulled unit out and replaced the gear as described. Thanks for the info - would have been tough with out it.