Whirlpool GC900PPB6 Trash Compactor will not reverse

[todd5pt0]

I have a Whirlpool GC900PPB6 Trash Compactor that is 14 months old and off warranty.  When I push Start button, the ram will lower down to the bottom of the cycle and stop.  At this time the compactor makes a metal grinding noise.  It will not reverse and move up.  I have it torn down and have cycled the ram down several times.  I have to manually turn the gear on the bottom to get the ram back up to the top position.  I have tested the motor and centrifugal switch with an ohm meter according to the tech sheet found inside the compactor.  Can't figure out what is wrong.  

[Richard Demint]

Need to test all switches on this, top and bottom. the most common thing to go wrong on these is the switch in the motor or your top limit directional switch. Keep testing and you will find it.

[evaappliance]

Make sure the gears are not stripped, if the moter doesn’t stall at the bottom it will not reverse 

[todd5pt0]

Thanks for the advice.  Is it the top limit switch that senses the stall and reverses the motor?  I broke the top limit switch when I was taking the ram out while troubleshooting.  I have a new switch on order.  

[evaappliance]

I’m not positive, but I don’t think it will be the top switch. The last one I did was doing the same thing and it was this , WP9870037. I put these and power nuts on .  I agree that if it is a switch it will be the moter switch but if it is not stalling at the bottom look into these other parts . 

[todd5pt0]

I was looking at those power stops on my compactor while the ram was going down.  So the theory is the power stop is too short and ram goes down too far?  The pin and speed nuts on the power nuts were loose.  I replaced those with bolts and nylon nuts thinking the power nuts were binding because they were loose.

[todd5pt0]

I also took the ram out and cycled the ram screws forward and reverse by manually flipping upper limit switch.  There was no hesitation or grinding in the motor as it reversed direction.  My problem has to be ram related.

[evaappliance]

if the top of the stops are (mushroomed ) out then they need replaced , but if you have already replaced the power nuts then my theory may not be the answer  

[todd5pt0]

I flipped the compactor on it's side and watched the gear set on the bottom while cycling the machine.  Sure enough the small gear is spinning on the large gear.  I have ordered a replacement gear set.  Thanks so much for all the repair advice.

[evaappliance]

I have seen a couple do that !  great catch !