The hand mixer won't work

Hi Sandy

Retractable cord mechanisms, after a while, can get a bit dodgy, especially with things like mixers where there may have been years of accumulated batter, frosting, bread dough, or what have you that got splattered on the cord and subsequently sucked back up into the retractor reel. They typically have an inertial ratchet that lets you pull out, but sticks on retract, unless you pull the cord all the way out to reset.

Before starting, cardinal rule is:
Always unplug before working on electrical stuff. If it's already acting up, you don't need to discover a short or a bit of bare insulation by shocking yourself or starting a fire.

With it unplugged:

1. Pull the cord out as far as it would normally go. Depending on the exterior, give it a wipedown with a cleaning towel and a surface cleaner like simple green or windex. See if it's looking like it's coughing crumbs out of the cord hole as you pull.
2. Let it retract all the way, then pull all the way back out. After you have a bit of cord out, pull it a short ways at higher speed, then let it retract back in, solid quick pull, slow retract. You're trying to get the ratchet to re-engage if it's gotten stuck or gummed up.
3. If you can't get any response the above, you may have to consider whether you want to take it apart. Use a search engine to look for 'My mixer make/model service manual', or 'How to replace cord for my make/model mixer'. Likely as not, someone can go through replacement, which will give you the steps to open it up and just see if it needs cleaning. And, if something has just broken, you'll be in a position to replace it.
4. A final thought - if it's working fine, and it's just an issue of the retracting cord pulling at the mixer as you work, you can also use a temporary cord-hold. You don't want to do anything that could pinch or cut the cord, but something like a medium sized binder clip, perhaps with a fold of tower inside , can be clipped onto the cord right where it emerges from the mixer, after you have enough cord out. The binder clips are cheap, pretty strong. and not likely to pop off without a deliberate re-opening when you're done.

Good Luck!

Check to see if the motor brushes are worn or not sliding freely; you can do this without taking the mixer apart. On either side of the main mixer body, you should see a plastic screw-cap ~1/4" diameter. Take each off, and you should find a small black graphite (ish) chamfered block connected to the end of the spring. If the block is damaged, or even stuck when trying to pull it out, that's your problem. That is what happened to me. To fix, I used a pin to pry out the stuck brush/spring, then scraped around the inside to remove sticky debris. Also, I used a utility knife and gently shaved the sides of the block, so they'd slide more easily. After a few tests for smooth sliding, I reinstalled e brushes and the motor spins as normal. Best part: it was a FREE fix, and I didn't have to disassemble much! Do a search on YouTube for "kitchen aid mixer brushes", and you should find a helpful video from 'ereplacement parts'. Good luck!

1990? Dump it and purchase a new one

Get a copy of the Repair Part List for your model at Kitchenaid.com
Download a Copy of the Kitchenaid Service manual.

http://www.kitchenaidparts.be/centers/servicemanual/mixer.pdf

It covers your model. Pay attention to the Motor Brushes, making sure
they are maiking contact with the Motor after re-assembly.

Cuisinart hand mixers are not repairable. You can buy replacement accessories like beaters, but you can't buy any internal replacement parts.

I have a Cuisinart HM-70 and I stripped the plastic gears inside by trying to mix a really thick dough. It was easy to open and get to the plastic gears. When I called Cuisinart to try to get replacement gears, they said that they don't sell replacement parts and their hand mixers are not repairable. I looked all over the internet and no one sells internal parts.

Unless your mixer is still under warranty, I believe that you're out of luck and your mixer is headed to the electronics recycle pile.

Most handmixers today are sold with plastic gears - including high end brands like Viking. For me the lesson learned is to buy low end hand mixers (don't buy a top of the line 9 speed mixer) and treat them like they're disposable when they break.

There is 2 screws if you look at the bottom, where the cable is wind. you can see
them through the winding wheel. I had a completly dead machine, by removing these screws i could replace the cable and my machine works again :-)

Hi BROOKLYNX. To answer you primary question, no there is no special speed control knob lock that you?ve inadvertently triggered. OK, so without a lock why?s your speed control knob stuck? It most likely that something broken inside your mixer to lock it into position. I wouldn?t continue to operate your machine as you are doing. It?s not good for the electric motor, the electric cord or the plug. It would be better to determine the root cause of your control knob?s obstinacy. The inspection and troubleshooting of the inside of your mixer is a DITY capability, particularly if your mixer is out of warranty. Just be sure to have the Parts List manual on hand. If you're lacking one, you can download a PDF version from the KA website: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home. Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals & Guides> Enter the 6 character model number, in your case, try K45SSW, and select one of the files listed under Parts List (check to see it this matches your mixer model). Turn to pages 6 & 7, titled: Motor And Control Parts, which provides an exploded view for the disassembly and reassembly of your mixer, along with all the parts. You?ll want to focus on part #s 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, which is our speed control assembly. Check to see if something isn?t blocking you?re the movement of #3. You should be able to determine if something has broken. If something has broken, you can order replacement parts and install yourself. As far as parts go, here are four potential vendors in no particular order: RepairClinic.com; mendingshed.com; searspartsdirect.com; partstore.com. Prices for the same part can vary widely between vendors, so do your comparison shopping. Once apart you can check for any other unseemly wear and tear on the gears, etc. It can be messy but quite gratifying to diagnose and repair your mixer yourself. Finally, here's a link to an excellent site that details the disassembly and replacement of a mixer's grease, which might be helpful, too. http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html Good luck and have fun. I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA If this solution has helped you, please rate it, thanks! - hslincoln

Just buy the replacement switch, buy a star or philips
screw driver and do it yourself. Just copy how it is mounted and get it done. Just e-mail to us the result.

You should try to replace the beater turners or try to fix the problem that causes the beater turners not to work.

That spring does not turn the beaters. It is part of the beater release assembly. Probably one of the gears is worn.