Garbage Disposal is dead as a door knob?

[kap]

There was a click sound two days ago now it's just the sound of silence when the wall switch is flipped. I press the little push-in button beneath to reset. Still no sound. It is dead, isn't it? As far as the skill level is concerned, how easy/difficult will it be to replace one? This disposal came with the house when we bought it two years ago. And we are very careful of what we dispose into the device. Additionally, we don't cook that often.

TiA

Kap

[D-Rod]

Could be that it blew a fuse or circuit breaker. Do you have any you could check?

[John B.]

Is the breaker (the little push-in button) tripping again when you flip the switch on? If so, it may just be jammed and tripping the breaker when it can't spin. The disposer at my previous house used to occasionally jam after periods of disuse...I think there was probably some slight corrosion that built up if it wasn't run regularly. Anyway, if that's the case, you can try to break it free with a hex key from the bottom of the unit, if there is a fitting to do that (it would be in the center bottom, the fitting is at the end of the shaft), or head to the hardware store for a disposer wrench which goes down into the drain opening to spin the impeller (if using either tool, make sure the power is disconnected first).

If you have to replace it, and do so with another model from the same manufacturer, the mounting hardware will probably match up and you will just need to disconnect the plumbing and drop it from the sink and reverse the process with the new unit.

[cbelt3]

What JohnB said, except always remember to remove the plug from the fitting where you attach the dishwasher drain hose.

It's the #1 mistake everyone makes when they install their own disposal.

[OWC Jamie]

I don't know how dead "dead as a door knob" is
but, I know "dead as a door nail" is rather dead, dead, dead.

I vote for jammed.
Be careful.

[OWC Larry]

Recently we thought our disposal was toast too.. was totally dead - flip switch, nada - turned kitchen breaker off (as double precaution even knowing what was on for switch) - made sure it was clear - pushed the mechanism around - still nothing.

Then when was getting ready to look at take the dumb thing out - saw the little button on the bottom. Pushed it in, it stayed - and has worked again since.

Hopefully something simple like that.

[sscutchen]

nail >>> knob.

[birdmanjeff]

If John B's advice does not work it is a fairly simple task with only the slightest skill needed. While I am an aircraft mechanic I have only the smallest skill with household equipment and I had mine changed in less than an hour. I do suggest trying to get the same type or at least similar it does make it easier.

Good luck,

[kap]

Thanks for all suggestions and cautions. Will check it out tomorrow.

Kap

[Tofer]

[quote birdmanjeff]While I am an aircraft mechanic I have only the smallest skill with household equipment...
This sounds like a mathematician saying, "I have only the smallest skill balancing my checkbook"!

-Tofer