garbage disposal

[bak12]

After reading the messages in this forum, I used a 1/4" allen wrench and my Badger disposal unit started working once again.

Thank you.

[krilam]

I've gone through several pages and seen my problem...but am having a difficult time finding it answered. The blades move freely, I used the reset button...but it still just hums. What else could be the problem....please help.[?]

[LazyPup]

The first step is to determine if the cutter wheel is free or are you perhaps mistaking the slingers as cutters.

If you have a disposal service wrench or a 1/4 inch allen wrench insert it into the port at the bottom center of the disposal unit and try rotating the motor manually.

If you have depressed the reset button and the motor will rotate freely, but will not run when turned on, you must then determine if there is a problem in the electrical supply circuit.

If the reset button trips out when the switch is turned on, then the electrical supply is okay, otherwise you will need a volt meter to check the power to the disposal motor.

If the motor will turn freely, and it is getting electrical power, but not starting, the problem is internal in the motor. Either the start relay or the start winding are defective.

Although the motors can sometimes be repaired, in most cases it is nearly impossible to locate parts and the cost of parts and labor normally exceeds the cost of replacing the disposal.

[oslavens]

This sounds like a great group, and I'm glad to have found you all. I'm a new member and don't know how to "post" a message so I just clicked the "reply" button. I hope this works. I have a Badger 5 disposal. When I turn it on it makes no noise at all. I stuck my hand in it and the blades seem to be turning freely (how many, I don't know). I've clicked the reset on the bottom and nothing happens. I'd like to try the allen wrench solution. Could you please tell me what size allen wrench fits this appliance? Also, should I need to, how do you detach the unit from the bottom of the sink.. THANKS.. oslavens

[kactuskid]

Hi, and welcome. If you want to start a new thread, go into the particular subject, like Appliance. Then on the upper right hand side you'll see "New Topic". Click on that, give it a subject and they type your question, easy as pie.

But to answer your question on the GD, you can try to use a 1/4" allen wrench. Though the first thing I would check is if you have power going to your disposer. You could have a bad switch on the wall that's not supplying power. Or the breaker good be tripped. An easy thing to check, open the breaker for this circuit, remove the single pole switch and replace it with a new one. Or use a tester and see if you have power on both sides of the switch when it's in the "ON" postion.

Here's a few links to help with removal if that's what you end up having to do.

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/plumbing/appliances/disposer/disposerfix.htm

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/kitchen/disposer/old/replace.htm

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/plumbing/appliances/disposer/disposerinstall.php

[kactuskid]

Also try resetting any GFCI receptacles on your countertop by pushing in the reset button. One of these could be feeding power to your GD.

[lia]

Earlier in the year, I came across with this forum and with the allen wrench tip, was able to get my garbage disposal working. The culprit was the small red stick that you use to spread the cheese in a cheese and crackers package! I would've never have gotten it out or even have known what to do, without this forum! Thank you!

Now I have a different problem. I saw something similar before, but it sounded like a dishwasher was connected--I don't have one. Anyway, my Badger disposal is turning and humming, but instead of the water going down, it's spewing up black foul-smelling water. What had happened was I had noticed the smell and thought I'd clean it up with another tip I read about, adding vinegar to the disposal. I poured in the vinegar and let the water run, and then turned on the disposal, and it whirred, and all of a sudden, black water came out! It keeps whirling around, like a toilet flushing, but the water grows and grows, and more black stuff comes out! Gross! It is not draining at all. I thought maybe letting it sit for a while will make it go down but it's still there, 3 hours later, a quarter-filled with black, stinky water. It doesn't look like it went down at all.

I tried the allen wrench thing again, and the reset button. I can't see inside because of the black water, but do not want to put my hand in there to feel around, even with the power off. Any tips?

Again, I have no dishwasher, and I have a double sink (disposal on one side, sink on the other--sink seems to be draining fine, no black stuff). I have a Badger disposal, it must be about 8 years old.

Thank you for any help you can give!
Happy holidays!

[LazyPup]

on a double sink if the Disposal side is clogged but the other side is running ok, the problem is in the Baffled Tee connector.

Place a small bucket under the trap.

Disconnect the Trap and tail piece.

Disconnect the Tee Fitting and manually clean the clog from the Baffle.

[HayZee518]

sounds to me that the disposal is on its last legs. there's a ceramic spring loaded seal between the motor compartment and the grinder chamber that apparently has gone bad. waste water has gotten into the motor workings and is eating its way through the steel parts. time to get a new one!

[lia]

Thanks so much LazyPup and HayZee for taking the time out to post! Diagrams too! Wow! Thank you. Time to break out the tools and hope that all it takes is a cleaning, and not having to buy a new one!

Thanks again!

[JLaw21]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their posts to this topic. After reading through a few, I was able to take care of the problem with my garbage disposal which is huge as I am far from being handy. Not only is it a huge sense of self-accomplishment, but I came off looking like a hero to my wife. THANKS!!!!!!

[ebiegan]

my Badger disposal, model 5-71 just started leaking, can it be fixed, new seal or something, or is it time to get a new one?

[bijones2]

I accidentally dumped a bunch of gravel sized rocks from a plant tray into the garbage disposal. I can't get them all out, and the disposal is stuck. Is it feasible to dismantle the disposal to get them out?

[Dan O.]

quote:Originally posted by bijones2
Is it feasible to dismantle the disposal to get them out?

It may not need to be "dismantled" but only removed from its mounting, turned up side down and the shredder plated worked back and forth to free up any remains. If that didn't work, disassembly may be required.

BTW. Depending on the exact make and model of disposer, there may be special tools required to disassemble it but such units can sometimes also be done with just general tools (mallet, large screwdriver, etc.). It is just a lot more work.

JMO

Dan O.

https://www.Appliance411.com/?ref411=Garbage_Disposal

The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

[Imarunner]

I have a Badger 5 disposal and want to remount it to a new sink. My questions is how to attach the lower mounting bracked. There does not seem to be anything holding to the disposal except the rubber mounting gasket. When the upper bracket is attached to the lower bracked only the friction of the mounting gasket against the disposal is holding the unit. Is there another part that hold the lower bracket to the unit?