Garbage dispsoal/electrics not working

Tam

My garbage disposal stopped working, so I unplugged it and plugged a small TV into the socket the garbage disposal is usually plugged into. Then I flipped the garbage disposal switch to on, and tried to turn the TV on, but it didn't work. There's a little button for testing the disposal, so I got an extension cord, plugged the disposal into it and it worked.

Is that a valid test? If so, the electrics are messed up somewhere. Is there anything I can do here myself? I really don't have the money to hire an electrician right now.

There are no electrical problems anywhere else in the house.

useless4

weird I didn't know they made disposals that plugged in with a normal plug.

sounds like you flipped a breaker, check your panel.

Tam

breaker's on

Xaquin

it should be a GFI outlet. is there a small red button between the outlets?

if so, press it and your problem should be solved

something like this:

Tam

Nope

I tried something else. I plugged it back into its normal outlet, pushed the little red button at the bottom, and flipped the switch, and it seemed to turn on. That is, it makes a whining sound, but the blades don't move. So I guess it isn't the electrics? Is there maybe something stuck in there?

Xaquin

ok, depending on the model, there should be a screw under the garbage disposal. unplug it and turn the screw (you may need an allen wrench or maybe just a screw driver).

loosening that screw should loosen the flywheel (the sharp thing that grinds up the leftovers and sometimes your silverware) enough so that you can clean it out. After that it should work fine

I unfortunately don't know anything else about garbage disposals =(

edit!

this pretty much sums it up

http://www.rayshousehelp.com/garbage-disposal-how-to-fix-unstick-repair-or-unjam-video/

Tam

okay, I'll try that
thanks a lot Xaquin

Xaquin

anytime!

Tam

it worked! yay! thanks again.

Xaquin

awesome!