[doglaw44]

Ram goes down but does not go back up. Makes a banging noise. Have to then turn it off. Turn back on and goes up. Is there a sensor in the motor that tells it to go back up, or a bottom limit switch, etc. Not sure what part to even check.
Model # kucc151dwh1.

[Gene]

Hi doglaw44

If your trash compactor has the cycle switch with Solid Pack and Normal positions, make sure the switch is in Normal position.

Check the on-off-start switch. After you turn it to Start and release, it should automatically return to On position. If it got stuck in Start position, the motor will try to restart, causing a banging noise.

- The part number for the white cycle switch AP2984077

- The part number for the black cycle switch AP3020726

- The part number for the on-off-start switch AP3115288


- Here are the break down diagrams for the Kitchen Aid trash compactor Model KUCC151DWH1

Good luck.
Gene.

[wet0321]

Gene,

I have the same problem with my KitchenAid KUCC151T0 compactor. When the ram goes down, the unit fails to sense when the bottom or sufficient trash resistance is reached. The ensuing banging lasts for 5 seconds (unit shuts off) or less if the key is turned off. When the unit comes back (turned back on), the ram retracts normally to the top. This occurs wheter in normal or solid pack mode and the compactor is empty. What switch or device tells the unit to change ram direction? Or is it something else?

[wet0321]

I checked the plastic nuts (power nuts) attached to the top of the ram. These nuts drive the ram up/down when the screws turn. Upon inspection, both were cracked. Then the problem made sense. When the ram bottomed, the ram could not exert enough pressure to stall the motor because the power nuts would split open thereby disengaing them from the screws, and so the screws would just keep turning causing the banging noise. Replacing them fixed the problem.