4KUCC151T4 KitchenAid Trash Compactor - Instructions

I pulled the trash compactor out from under the counter.

I took out the four screws that kept the top cover in place to expose the ram.

The gear shafts were turning but the ram would not lower, at first I though the ram drive bolts were stripped and it wouldn't engage the shaft. Then I realized there was a mechanical ... Read more directional\limit switch at the top that controlled the power and direction the gear shafts were turning, this switch was broken.

Just had to take off the front plate that was held on by a number of screws and replace the switch that was held on by two more screws. It had five wires attached to it, the new switch was clearly labeled as to which color wire went where.

Pulled out compactor drawer and removed same, slid the compactor cabinet out and unpluged the appliance. Removed the two phillips head screws to release the control panel. lossened the locking nut from switch. matched the switches to be sure parts were the same,switched the wires to the new switch and reinstalled.replaced phillips screws, ... Read more all Done !!!

Pulled the Compactor from underneath cabinet, unplugged power. Removed the top plate off compactor to expose the crush piston. Removed the front control panel by removing two phillips screws, wiring and directional (limit) switch is now exposed. Removed the two screws securing switch, removed wiring one wire at a time and replaced on new ... Read more switch in same position. Replaced switch in same manner as removed, and followed reverse of above to re-assemble. Plugged back in and tested, problem resolved works like new. Only took possibly 30" to repair and saved an expensive service call.

Original key part number was 776586 as found underneath the the rim of the broken key. It's known as a compactor key, or a key-knob, but in layman's terms, I would call it the "off-on-start" knob. The replacement part number was 386676, and fits perfectly.
The original key had become old and brittle, and eventually just broke a ... Read more part. This was a 30+ year old Whirlpool Trash Compactor key. I just picked out the bits of the old broken key with needle-nose pliers and then easily inserted the new key into the opening.
Note, this literally works just like a key you would insert into any lock. It doesn't require pushing to "snap" into place, but once inserted and turned to the "ON" position, locks into place. No forcing is required at all.
The new key looks exactly like the original and is working very smoothly.

Trash compactor started making "bumping" sounds when the RAM went through a cycle and tried to come back up. Finally, one day heard a "pop" went the RAM traveled to the bottom. The gear broke in half. Purchased the gear parts "KIT" online and repair took 15 minutes. Easy to do. Unfortunately, this was not only problem. The "cause" of ... Read more the gear breaking was the Momentary Start/Stop Switch was bad. It's failure led to the main switch not working. The unit could not tell when the RAM had reached the top of it's cycle. The other problem was that I didn't put trash in the compactor. Suggest HIGHLY to never operate the unit's RAM mechanism without the compactor being at least 1/2 full per the instruction manual. Running it empty can cause a major problem, such as the gear breaking/stripping.

Remove two screws from panel above trash bin. Remove panel and remove wires from rotary switch. Remove lock ring from switch. Install in reverse order.

Moved the compactor out from under cabinet, laid it on it's side, removed bottom casing (two nuts front, three back), remove compression pin from small drive gear shart, replace new small drive gear and install compression pin, loosen motor mounts to allow large gear replacement, remove circlip holding large drive gear to shaft, remove an ... Read more d repace damaged gear, set gear clearance and tighten motor mounts, grease gears, replace bottom casing. .

Replaced the gear and unit worked execpt the plunger hit the side of the garbage container. This appears the be the reason the gear broke in the first place. Defective assembly from the factory.

To correct I had to remove the newly installed gear system remove inside cardboard side cover, Remove the screws that hold the bea ... Read more ring for the lift screw so I could remove the chain. After removing the chain I could adjust the plunger to be level and not hit the side of the garbage container on its way down.

This product comes in a bottle with a brush like Liquid Paper. It goes on incredibly easy. A second coat might be needed. I wanted to prevent rust from setting in so I covered the scratches and dings. The paint is a little brighter since my washer is 10 years old but it still looks great.

After calling a repair man and being told my appliance was to old for him to repair I discovered your website. I simply entered the model number and a picture of the part I was looking for was easily found. I ordered online and received the replacement parts 5 day's later. I simply swapped out the old locking nuts with the new ones from ... Read more your website and the repair was complete. What could have been an easy $100 repair cost a fraction of that and the trash compactor is working just fine.

Took the under housing off to see the drive gear. It had broken in half. (Exactly like one of the suggestions said). Replaced the drive gear and re-assembled. It worked great!

Thanks.

Took off front panel and replaced the directional switch which I thought was the problem. However, the problem continued. I read on line it could be the "centrifugal" switch on top of the motor. I haven't gotten around to taking it apart yet to see if that is the problem because it is more involved down under and in the back. That switch ... Read more cost $88.
Any suggestions from others?

First i removed 2 screws that holds it to the cabinet,pulled the unit out removed the cover off the bottom of the unit,then i notice the gears were damaged,but was not supprised,because the machine gets over worked.Then i removed one clip,removed one gear,the other gear had a pin,tapped the pin out with a punch ,pulled that gear off.then ... Read more replaced both gears .Got it back together and it now works like new.i am very pleased with your service,you responded right away and let me know the order had filled.i ordered it on sunday night and i recieved it on tuesday morning .i will surly use your service in the future you guys are great. thanks alot

Unscrewed the handle, slipped the panel in (needed to pull out cardboard piece to make room - then reinsert the card board to keep from rattling). Replaced handle and screws holding it in.

I measured the part then looked for a similar switch that might work. I was so happy to find the exact part we needed for our 24 year old refridgerator!! I was so impressed with your slection of parts and best of all I had the part in 2 days! You are in my "favorites" just in case I need you again!

Thank you