Yikes! Disposal wouldn’t work. Grrrr – happens frequently. But this time it was my fault. Some food wrapping (not nice, thin Saran Wrap) tried to protect the vegetables to the end. I can get my hands around its sliminess a bit, but it is completely jammed under the Plate-O-Death. What to do? Should I rip out all that I can and send ice down to follow it? It runs for 3-4 seconds at a time before tripping the overload switch on the bottom. Does the P.O.D come off with tools that I have (or can get)? Do I have to call a plumber?
As you say, the plastic is wrapped around the motor shaft and binding up.
It might be best to remove the disposer from the sink. Mine comes loose by turning a locking ring that connects the disposal to the sink drain. Of course you’ll have to disconnect your drain lines.
After the disposal is out where you can see what you’re doing, it might be easier to see what holds the P.O.D. in place. On some units it’s a matter of holding the motor shaft and spinning the P.O.D. off in the opposite direction.
What brand is the unit? Sears for example has their parts manuals available on the web. This could be a good clue as to removal of the P.O.D.
One disposal we had, had a socket underneath for an Allen wrench (I think they all do, but I’m not sure). You could turn the disposal back and forth and try to pull out the wrap.