How to replace the drive motor on a Whirlpool trash compactor

Is your Whirlpool trash compactor refusing to compress like it used to? The culprit might be a worn-out drive motor, causing all the wrong kinds of noise and downtime. No worries—replacing it is simpler than you think, and we have a step-by-step video guide to walk you through the repair just below!

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On a Whirlpool trash compactor, the drive motor is what powers up the compacting mechanism. Over time, the motor may become noisy or its windings may burn out, resulting in the trash compactor not functioning properly. Replacing the drive motor is a relatively easy repair that should only take a few minutes of your time. By following the instructions provided, you’ll be able to successfully replace the drive motor and restore your Whirlpool trash compactor. Let’s get started!

Watch here: How To: Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag Drive Motor W10439651

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you’ll need

• 1/4″ nut driver
• Flathead screwdriver
• 3/8″ wrench
• Hammer
• Punch
• Lubricant
• Wire stripper

Safety precautions

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury.

Replacement steps

Removal  

1. Press down on the pedal and pull out the drawer of the trash compactor.
2. Lift the front of the compactor up by the handle until it goes over the drawer stops.
3. Take hold of the drawer by the sides and remove it from the compactor.
4. Uninstall the trash compactor from the kitchen cabinet. It may be mounted to the countertop through the top brackets or through the sides at the front of the compactor.
5. Use a quarter inch nut driver to remove six screws from the base of the motor cover and one from the harness cover.
6. Take out another quarter inch screw and remove the rear cover panel.
7. Slide out the power cord and push out the retaining ring to remove the motor cover.
8. Using a flat blade screwdriver, remove the wires from the motor switch. Take a picture of how the wires are installed before removal for reference.
9. Use the nut driver to remove the screw and the green ground wire.
10. Place the trash compactor on its side.
11. Use the nut driver to take out three screws and remove the bottom cover plate.
12. Use a 3/8 inch open-ended wrench to remove the four nuts from the motor mounting studs and pull out the old motor. Place it on a workable surface.
13. Use a hammer and a punch to knock out the rolling pin that holds the small gear and remove the gear.

Installation 

1. Install the small gear on the motor shaft, aligning the cutout in the gear with the shape of the shaft.
2. Match the holes and insert the rolling pin. Use the hammer and punch to drive the pin into place.
3. Put the new motor in the same position as the old one, with the switch facing the wire harness. Align the gear teeth to insert the motor completely.
4. Install the four motor mounting nuts, but do not tighten them yet.
5. Feed a piece of paper between the gears by turning the motor gear. Then, using the 3/8 inch wrench, tighten the motor nuts. Remove the paper.
6. Lubricate the gear if needed and install the bottom cover plate. Secure it with the three screws.
7. Turn the compactor upright.
8. Compare the motor switches. If they look identical, connect the wires the way they were originally connected.
9. If the switches are different, install the included smaller terminals. Use wire strippers to cut out the terminals, leaving only the orange and black terminals. Cut them as close to the terminals as possible.
10. Strip the ends of the wires with wire strippers, leaving about a quarter inch or so exposed, and install the 1/8 terminals supplied with the motor.
11. Use wire strippers to install the terminals. Connect the wires to the new motor switch according to the numbers on the switch.
12. Install the power cord retainer. Place the motor cover on and install the retaining ring. Install the power cord.
13. Place the rear cover on and secure it with the screw. Then secure the motor cover and harness cover with the screws.
14. Plug in and reinstall the trash compactor. Install the drawer.
15. Run a test cycle to ensure everything is working properly.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the drive motor on your Whirlpool trash compactor. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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