The capacitor on the speed switch is burning out.

Is the motor getting power when turned on? NUMBER ONE TEST.

We also have a replacement cap!

These mixers last for years and years. Aside from the fact that you could have a FIRE from a frayed electrical cord, interruption of power to the motor can cause additional problems. Get the Manual with all of the details on repairing the unit. Replace that power cord NOW! When the Housing is open, take a tooth brush or stiff paint brush and whisk out the debris collected inside over time. Check the contacts on the speed selector and look for any black deposits or surface material that may be there.

it was stuck on high speed because the phase control board went out, your fix may not be absolutely 100% and it is now causing an uneven distribution of the electric charge in the mixer and it is arching. My recommendation is to replace the speed control board (black and copper plate) and the phase control board. i bet it fixes the problem as these are the two parts that regulate the electricity in the mixer. Hope that helps. Buy the way if you don't fix the problem and continue to use the mixer you may have to replace the motor eventually as you can cause the armature and stator to short or burn out.

The Brush holder caps / covers for the K5 series whether Hobart or Kitchenaid by Whirlpool (after 1986 when Whirlpool bought Kitchenaid from Hobart) will fit the K5-A they just wont be flush like the older Hobart caps. They come in black or white.

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

Adjust the mixer speeds (if necessary):
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

Hello ajlina,

All of these are great home use units, all the attachments are interchangeable between these. The difference between these mixers is the K5 is a 5 quart mixer and the K45 is a 4.5 quart mixer. As I own both of them they are great in the kitchen and have the same durability.

Have any more questions please post to this thread and I will be happy to assist. Thank you for using FixYa.

1980

This may be explained with the bowl assembly. Being a bowl lift mixer, please follow the following steps to make sure the bowl is being secured before mixing:

There are the bowl-holding arms on the left and right hand side of the mixer. You will place the bowl on these arms, securing it onto the pegs.

Also, take your fingertips and press down firmly at the back of the bowl where it is resting against the base. You will hear an audible click as the bowl secures down into a spring latch mechanism on the stand mixer base, allowing the mixing bowl to sit flush and secure.

had the same problem with mine, and couldn't read the values, so took one out of another mixer that was good. the tested value on the good one was around 107 nano farads. run your mixer without the cap for a short time only, to see if the speed problem is corrected. If slow speeds will work, then you know it to be the capacitor. Do not leave out for long period of time, you will burn out contacts and poss. outher components
Ken