I accidentally dropped a screw in our garbage disposal and it made a terrible noise. I decided to unplug the unit so that I could fish the screw out. Well, I got the screw out just fine but when I went to plug the unit back in, it won't turn off. I have tried playing with the switch to see if it reversed somehow, I reset the GFI, I reset the breaker just in case that had something to do with it, and I tried pushing the reset button repeatedly. I'm not sure what else to do to get my disposal to stop spinning when it should be off. Any ideas?

It sounds like the power switch has stuck closed (i.e. ON). I suppose this could happen when the screw dropped in and the motor drew a higher-than-normal current.

I would replace the wall switch (or wherever it is) that you normally use to turn the disposal on and off. A real clue would be if that switch feels "odd" when flipping it on and off.

Best of luck,
WallyH

You said you unplugged the garbage. That would mean that you have a receptacle under the sink. Bet that receptacle is a double receptacle. Also bet you didn't plug it back in to the same place you removed it from. Plug it in to the other hole.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

You said you unplugged the garbage. That would mean that you have a receptacle under the sink. Bet that receptacle is a double receptacle. Also bet you didn't plug it back in to the same place you removed it from. Plug it in to the other hole.

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Wow, good theory! I didn't catch the "unplugged" part, even though I read the problem several times.

Hope that's it because it would be a SIMPLE fix!
WallyH