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Larkspur
Jul 10, 2009, 10:52 AM
We have a dual electrical switch that powers a light over the kitchen sink and the garbage disposal. We have had problems with the disposal switch over the past few years. We have needed to push it in a little when we turned it on in order to get it to work. Today it will not work at all, whether we push it in or not. Actually, it turns on, but won't turn off, so we have to switch the breaker in order to turn off the disposal. Please tell me what to do in order to fix it. I am a novice with electrical fixes. Thanks so much for your help! I appreciate it.

Larkspur

KISS
Jul 10, 2009, 11:09 AM
This is two switches on top of one another in a single-gang box or two separate switched in a double box?

The switch is probably fried.

You can purchase an switch, not a 3-way, turn off the power, remove and re-connect the same way.

Some gotcha's; The new switch might have a green ground screw. You could have a plastic box. You may have to bond the switch ground to the box ground, but you don't technically have to.

Just turn off power. Remove the cover plate. Remove the screws that attach the swites to the box. Make diagram. Replace in the same manner.