Models > KTTS505ESS0 > Symptoms > Compactor ram gets stuck

Parts That Fix KitchenAid Trash Compactor KTTS505ESS0 Compactor ram gets stuck

Compactor ram gets stuck is a commonly reported symptom for the KTTS505ESS0 KitchenAid Trash Compactor, and we have put together a full guide on how to fix this. This advice is based on feedback from people who own this exact appliance. We have listed the most common parts for your KTTS505ESS0 KitchenAid Trash Compactor that will fix Compactor ram gets stuck. We have included repair instructions, and helpful step-by-step video tutorials. If you are experiencing this issue, not to worry, DIYers just like you have fixed this, and shared their experience to help you!

1 Drive Gear Kit
Fixes Symptom 89% of time
★★★★★
★★★★★
47 Reviews

Rated by 27 customers 

  

Easy 

30 - 60 mins 

Ratings submitted by customers like you who bought this part.   

This is the drive gear kit for the ram that compacts the trash inside your compactor. If your compactor ram is getting stuck, there is excess noise during its cycle, or if your compactor does not stop at the end of its cycle, the driving gear may be the issue. The gear is white, plastic and approximately 4.5 inches in diameter. This drive gear kit includes both gears, pin spring, retaining clip (c-ring), ram stop, ram cam, and instructions. Make sure to disconnect the power to your trash compactor before beginning the repair.

$ 58.57
  In Stock
PartSelect Number PS398589
Manufacturer Part Number 882699

Customer Repair Stories

Large Drive Gear Failure (split in half)

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 and repace damaged gear, set gear clearance and tighten motor mounts, grease gears, replace bottom casing. .
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  • Mark from Littleton, CO
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers, Socket set
17 of 19 people found this instruction helpful.
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Broken Gear

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 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.
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  • Matt from Houston, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    A Bit Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    More than 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Socket set
21 of 21 people found this instruction helpful.
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2 Power Nut Kit
Fixes Symptom 6% of time
★★★★★
★★★★★
5 Reviews

Rated by 2 customers 

  

A Bit Difficult 

30 - 60 mins 

Ratings submitted by customers like you who bought this part.   

Includes everything pictured above.

$ 74.87
  In Stock
PartSelect Number PS11747554
Manufacturer Part Number WP9870163

Customer Repair Stories

One of the nuts on the ram stripped out

1)Pulled the unit out remove the top and bottom covers. 2)Disconnected the drive chain by removing the sproket from the motor. 3)Unscrewed the drive rod on the side that worked and removed the ram. 4)Reassembled and used the bin for trash while waiting for the part. 5)The nut came with clips included (this was not noted in the order but is vital) removed the stripped nut by breaking the old clips. 6)Installed the new nut, clips on the ram. 7)Installed the ram onto both drive screws. I had to hold the 'top sensor' switch up to reverse the screws to lower the ram. 8)Rinstalled the top and the appliance. 2 thru 4 dealing witht the chain, sproket and screw were fairly complicated operations.
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  • kelton from weatherford, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    1- 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Socket set
1 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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locking nut was stripped

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 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.
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  • Tim from Bigfork, MT
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Pliers, Screw drivers
12 of 18 people found this instruction helpful.
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3 Directional Switch
Fixes Symptom 5% of time
★★★★★
★★★★★
15 Reviews

Rated by 12 customers 

  

Really Easy 

15 - 30 mins 

Ratings submitted by customers like you who bought this part.   

The function of the directional switch on your trash compactor is to ensure the ram lowers to compress your trash, then returns to the top position. If your trash compactor does not complete this task, will not stop at the end of the compacting cycle, or is noisy during operation, you may need to replace the directional switch. Be sure to disconnect your trash compactor from the power source before completing this repair. This is a fairly easy repair. After you open the control panel of the compactor, all you will need to do is unplug the old switch from the electrical wires, and plug the new switch in.

$ 64.08
  In Stock
PartSelect Number PS11744742
Manufacturer Part Number WP777811

Customer Repair Stories

Compactor motor kept running after cycle ran, making alot of noise and unit jumping around.

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 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.
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  • Keith from Keller, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Socket set
33 of 39 people found this instruction helpful.
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Trash Compactor ram wouldn't lower

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 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.
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  • Scott from Indianapolis, IN
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
41 of 49 people found this instruction helpful.
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