mine does the same thing. It clearly isn't jammed, as it can spin freely. Against all safety precautions, I stuck a wooden spoon in while it hummed and "helped" it spin. To my astonishment, it slowly accelerated onto full speed. After this I reinspexted the contents, and found a couple chicken bones. After removing th I continued to have the same problem although there is nothing I'm the disposal chamber. I can "help" it moving, but it will not start ok its own. Any advise, or after 3 years is it time to buy another one?
I want to put an end to the wooden spoon trick as I am certain it is rather unsafe, and I highly recommend against doing that to anyone trying to fix their in sink erator 444.
conlin, July 2008