How can I fix my Kenwood chef A901?

I am hoping that Dave Gooding or some other knowledgable person can help me. My problem is similar to Katy's - I was given a KC A901 and replaced the capacitors which had blown and the 56 ohm resistor. The machine had lost some of its speed range and I adjusted the tuning screws and now have around 60rpm at speed 1 and a full range of speed again. But at low speed the machine is making an erratic, misfiring kind of noise, although the planetary action motion looks ok. I have examined the brushes which look fine but anything up to about speed 4 is lumpy and uneven sounding. I now have no idea what to do next, can anyone suggest? Many thanks

lottybun
September 2011

You will probably find that the condensers are failing. It is a well known fault with the 901. You can purchase new ones via a few sites, you need a .47U one and a .015u one. Try the rapid site. its cheaper than buying off a kenwood spares site. Get a metallic ones they are about 20p each. Removing the old ones is easy, about 30mins with a soldering iron to remove and replace. You just need to take off the bottom cover (remove the 2 phillips screws that hold the "sprung angle bit", undo the srcew that retains the cable, undo both wires from the small junction box and take of the black base. You will see the condensers (they are the rectangular things!!). Lift them up and see if they are swollen, buckled, broken or leaking. If so thats your problem. If not I'm afraid its a case of checking the motor brushes. Again its easy, remove the 3 screws tat hold the liquidise. Underneath are 3 bolt that retain the motor. Remove and the motor slides out. The motor brushes are in the retainig things on the side. Undo the 2 screws and slide them out. you should have plenty of carbon bits left. If not, you can get new brushes on e bay.

Good luck

Dave Gooding
October 2007