Garbage Disposal Air Switch Problems

A garbage disposal air switch is a pneumatic switch that can be used to turn a garbage disposal on and off. Better yet, it’s an excellent alternative to wall switches as it’s much safer since it eliminates the chances of a user coming into contact with electricity. Instead, the air switch sends a gush of air down a hose to a micro-switch connected to a power outlet, making it safe to operate even with wet hands. Unfortunately, like any other device, your garbage disposal air switch will run into some problems during its lifespan. In some instances, simple part replacements or maintenance might be sufficient to fix these problems. However, for more serious malfunctions, you might need to look for professional assistance. Either way, it’s almost impossible to address any garbage disposal air switch problems without knowing what the actual issue is.

 In this article, we’ll take you through some of the common garbage disposal problems you’re likely to encounter and how to address them! 

3 Garbage Disposal Air Switch Problems 

• The garbage Disposal Air Switch is not working 

One of the most common issues with air switches is the failure to activate the garbage disposal unit. This problem can either occur because of a damaged tube connecting the switch to the disposal or a blockage with the switch buttonhole. 

If the air switch doesn’t work, the first step should be to check whether it’s making a clicking sound. Typically, when you push the air switch button, it should make a clicking sound. This sound comes from the micro-switch in the power module. If the air switch doesn’t make this clicking sound, it shows that there is a problem with the air below inside its button or its tubing. 

On the other hand, if the air switch produces a clicking sound when you push the button, but the garbage disposal doesn’t turn on, the air switch is working properly. However, this shows that the problem either lies with the electrical connections inside the power module or garbage disposal. 

How to fix a garbage disposal air switch that is not clicking 

If the air switch isn’t making a clicking sound when you push the button, here are some of the steps you can take to fix the problem;

Check under the kitchen cabinet to inspect if the air tub is firmly connected to the air switch power module. If the tube has fallen off the unit, cut the tip of the hose at 1 ⁄ 2 ” length and fit it to the air hose inlet of the air switch power module. 

Alternatively, the air below inside the air switch button could be damaged. As a result, you will hear a hissing sound when you push the air switch button down. Unfortunately, you’ll have to replace the entire garbage disposal air switch button with a new one since there is no way to repair the air below. 

Finally, the air switch could also fail to work because of a leakage in its air hose. As a result, the air hose will not transfer enough air pressure to operate the micro-switch in the power module. Luckily, you can easily fix this issue with some duct tape or by replacing the air hose with a new one. 

How to fix an air switch that clicks but doesn’t turn on the garbage disposal 

As already mentioned, if the air switch produces a clicking sound when you push its button, the problem doesn’t lie with the garbage disposal air switch. Instead, the problem could either be with the electrical connections in the power model or the garbage disposal unit. 

To fix this issue, start by checking whether the garbage disposal reset button has popped out. If that’s the case, gently push the reset button in and then press the air switch button to turn on the garbage disposal. 

However, if the garbage disposal is still not working, turn off the corresponding wall switch and unplug the air switch from the outlet. Next, bypass the air switch by plugging the disposal directly into an electrical outlet and turning on the wall switch. 

If your garbage disposal is working, the problem is with the air switch power module. I recommend you buy a new garbage disposal air switch and use it to replace the old one. 

On the other hand, if the garbage disposal isn’t working when you turn on the wall switch, the problem is with the power from the mains or the garbage disposal. Use a voltage tester or multimeter to check if there is power coming from the outlet. In addition, use a non-contact voltage tester to test if the garbage disposal’s power cord is carrying power. If the outlet and the power cord carry power, then the problem is with the garbage disposal. 

• Jammed garbage disposal air switch 

Although this is rare, the air switch push button can get jammed when you push it in, making it impossible to turn off your garbage disposal. The air switch button can become unresponsive or stuck due to debris or dirt built up around the button. Therefore, you can easily fix this problem by gently cleaning the area surrounding the air switch button with a soft cloth to get rid of any foreign materials. Also, a gentle push or two can sometimes get the air switch button back. 

• Water in the garbage disposal air switch 

An air switch is operated by an airtight hose attached to a micro-switch. Unfortunately, water can sometimes get into this air-tight hose and cause a short circuit in the microswitch. As a result, the micro switch will stop working or even cause the air switch power module to overheat, which can lead to a fire hazard. Also, this can be accompanied by a burning smell coming from the air switch power module. 

To fix this problem, turn off the power to the air switch immediately when you notice a burning smell, unplug it from the outlet, and replace it with a new one.