Our switch doesn't stay in off position - KitchenAid 32685 Mixer

The answered suggestion on this post might be able to help you:


Doesn actually turn off Mixer

My daughter had this problem with her mixer. The problem is that the screw that holds the speed lever has come loose. To get at the screw you have to dismantle the head. It took me about 1/2 hour to take it apart and put it back together. It is not that hard, except that you have to drive a pin out of the beater shaft. Works great now.

If there is a shaft sleeve available from Kitchen Aid you will need to replace that and most likely the chopping blade if there is any damage up inside it.

The spring attached to the speed control switch has come off or broken. Does the switch stay in one place when you move it or does the switch move about freely. I need a little more info to be more help.

By pass the switch and put it on power strip and turn on/off with strip. Or just replace the ****** switch. Or just bypass switch and plug and unplug to turn on and off.

You need to do a couple of strokes with a rat tail file at a 30 degree angle at the top of the slot the head lock engages into. You will need to remove the hinge pin to do this. A Kitchen Aid agent will have done plenty of then so it won't cost an arm and a leg to get it sorted.

Bring the mixer to a place that services these appliances. They will have to replace the switch. This is common on appliances.

Jerry G.

When you said "the speed switch doesn't want to stay in the off position", you meant to
say "the speed switch in the OFF position does not turn OFF the mixer", or "the speed
switch physically cannot be moved to the OFF position"?

In any case, try to adjust the mixer speeds.
Obtain a copy of the K45SS Repair Part List from Kitchenaid.com.
Remove the screw holding the End Cover and locate the three screws from the Control Plate.
All three (2 top left and right, and 1 bottom) must be adjusted.

1. Loosen the lock nuts enough & Turn the 2 top screws clockwise until they cannot be turned
anymore. Leave the bottom screw alone for now.
2. Use a dab of white paint or paper whiteout to mark the positions of the Phillips screws.
3. Plug in your mixer and Set the speed selector to "Stir".
4. Turn each top screw One full turn couterclockwise (alternating between Left and Right)
Keep making one full turn at the time (for both left and right) until the motor starts running.
5. Put your hand near the Agitator shaft and allow it to brush your finger slightly. Use your
watch or clock and start counting the number of times the shaft touches your finger in
60 seconds. The correct count should be 60 RPM (Rounds Per Minute). If it is less
or more than 60, give each screw 1/4 turn counterclockwise or clockwise and start counting
again. Now tighten both lock nuts.
6. Set the speed selector to "6" and turn the bottom screw either clockwise or counterclockwise
to achieve a speed of 180 RPM.

For your reference, the planetary RPM's for the 5-qt. tilt-head Artisan Stand Mixer are as follows:
Stir speed - 60
Speed 2 - 95
Speed 4 - 135
Speed 6 - 180
Speed 8 - 225
Speed 10 - 280

Open up the Motor Housing and inspect the Switch Lever with Stud.
The Lower Gearcase has many depressions which allow the stud to
snap into it when the Speed Selection lever is moved. If the Stud
is worn out then there isn't much you can do but replacing it.
3184193 is the Switch Lever And Stud part number for your model.

Its ok to by pass the timer.You can bypass it and the switch will work.Let me get my service manual and ill post back on how to do it.