Whirlpool Trash Masher

My trash compactor will lower the ram but will continue to run and the ram will stay down, not reversing back up. If I shut if off and then turn back on the ram will return to the full up position. Model # TU8003XLP0. Any help would be appreciated.

When removing the agitator and cleaning all the moldy goo that the fabric softener has coated, can the the moving part of the agitator, looks like one piece, also be taken apart to get at and clean deep inside where you can’t get to. looks easier to buy a new one!!!

The automatic cycling of my compactor won’t stay running. I hit the switch to start and it starts to compact, then if I leave the switch alone, it stops, If I start it again, it will stop if I let the switch go.

IF I hold the switch in position, it will cycle all the way down, and then return up, and when it gets to the top it will do a clunkidy clunkidy, as it still wants to go up, but cant and at that point I will stop the switch, and can open, as it wont be in any down position.

Which part is probably gone? One of the switches may be bad or out of position or something in front of it?

Thanks.

Very likely the problem is a bad motor start windings. Perform the troubleshooting as described in the Tech sheet.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?diagram_id=71057&&model_id=254209

Gene.