April 20, 2023

Trash compactor articles

These articles and videos from Sears PartsDirect can help you use your trash compactor effectively and safely. From loading the compactor to preventing compactor odors, we have the advice and tips to help you keep your equipment running for years. For more DIY advice, check out our trash compactor repair help section for troubleshooting guidance and step-by-step repair instructions.

Trash Compactors

Effective articles & videos to help repair your trash compactors

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.…

Are DIY appliance repairs safe?

Are DIY appliance repairs safe?

Find out how to stay safe when repairing your appliances.…

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.…

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Learn some of the most common symbols found in a wiring diagram and what they mean.…

Using a wiring schematic to trace a current video

Using a wiring schematic to trace a current video

Find out what’s wrong with your appliance by following a circuit.…

How to read a wiring schematic video

How to read a wiring schematic video

Learn how to decipher symbols so you can buy the right part for your problem.…

7 uncommon tips for kitchen cleaning

7 uncommon tips for kitchen cleaning

These 7 kitchen-cleaning tips are out of the ordinary and super helpful.…

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.…

10 must-have tools for appliance repair

10 must-have tools for appliance repair

Come see which tools made our top 10 must-haves for DIY appliance repair.…

How to load a trash compactor

How to load a trash compactor

Learn the proper way to place your trash in your trash compactor.…

Preventing trash compactor odors

Preventing trash compactor odors

Here are helpful tips for keeping your trash compactor clean and fresh.…

Trash compactor common questions

Trash compactor common questions

See what questions our experts most often get about trash compactors.…

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 cause: faulty drawer tilt switch …

Main causes: stripped or broken power nuts, broken or disconnected drive gear and sprocket chain, damaged drive parts…

Main causes: bent drawer support rollers, damaged trash container…

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 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
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 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