Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man » Microwave Ovens

Samsung Over-the-Range Microwave Recall

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:07 +0000

Shock hazard. Danger, Will Robinson!

Samsung OTR Microwave Recall

Appliance Fault Codes by Brand and Appliance

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:59:59 +0000

Freaky appliance
flashing mysterious code.
Mystery revealed!

Visualize Your Appliance Repair Experience

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:49 +0000

Appliance Breakdown Diagrams

Grok on these mind-expanding, interactive breakdown diagrams of various appliances so you can see how they’re put together. An indispensible troubleshooting and repair aid! Just click on the appliance you’re working on and run your mouse over the diagrams. It’ll popup pictures of the various key components inside as well as give you insight into how to disassemble. It’s the miracle of Flash!

If you need more detailed help, start a new topic in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forum and we can get you more info.

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Two-Year Old GE Microwave: Melting Door and Burning Plastic Smell

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:21:05 +0000

… and to make your joy complete, GE has discontinued this two-year old model! Can you say, “Uhh, guys, we better stop production on this pig-dog before we get our bee-hinds sued into oblivion.” Uh-huh, that’s what I thought you said. Anyway, this topic in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forums ’splains what you need to fix it…

GE Microwave Melting Door and Burning Smell

To learn more about your microwave oven, or to order parts, click here.

GE Recalls Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:45:48 +0000

GE strikes again! This time, they’re recalling a quarter of a million wall ovens sold under the GE, GE Profile, Monogram and Kenmore labels.

The problem is caused by the extreme heat used in the self-clean cycle escaping if the wall oven door is removed and incorrectly re-attached by the installer or the consumer. This can pose a fire and burn hazard to the hapless folks who bought GE-built appliances.

So far, 28 incidents of minor property damage have been reported in which adjacent kitchen cabinets have been damaged. No injuries have been reported.

The wall ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The following model and serial numbers can be found inside the oven on the left interior wall. For microwave combination ovens, the serial number can be found on the left interior wall of the microwave.

GE Profile

Model Numbers: JCT915, JT912, JT915, JT952, JT955, JT965, JT980*, JTP20, JTP25, JTP28, JTP48, JTP50, JTP86

Serial Numbers Begin With: TD, VD, ZD, AF, DF, FF, GF, HF, LF, MF, RF, SF, TF, VF, ZF

Monogram

Model Numbers: ZET3058, ZET938, ZET958

Serial Numbers Begin With: TD, VD, ZD, AF, DF, FF, GF, HF, LF, MF, RF, SF, TF, VF, ZF

Kenmore (All model numbers start with 911)

Model Numbers: 4771, 4775, 4781, 4904, 4905, 4923*

Serial Numbers Begin With: 2T, 2V, 2Z, 3A, 3D, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3L, 3M, 3R, 3S, 3T, 3V, 3Z

If you’re a victim of one of these appliances, you should immediately inspect the oven to make sure you don’t have an incorrectly re-attached wall oven door, which will not open into the flat position. If the wall oven door is incorrectly re-attached, consumers should not use the self-clean cycle and call GE for a free repair. You can continue to use normal baking or broiling function in the oven until the oven is repaired.

For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (888) 569-1588 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday ET.

Since this problem pertains to the self-clean function, this is a good time to review the use of the self cleaning feature in an oven. During self clean, the oven can develop temperatures in excess of 900˚F. I don’t care what the manufacturers say, there isn’t a single oven built today that can withstand very many self clean cycles at these extreme temperatures. In addition to posing a potential fire hazard, using the self clean cycle will eventually cause expensive repairs in your oven such as damaged control boards and burned out temperature sensors.

So, let’s review the two rules for using the self clean feature in an oven:

Rule 1: Never, ever, ever use self clean.

Rule 2: If, in a weak moment, you find yourself thinking about using self clean, refer to Rule 1.

To learn more about your range/stove/oven, or to order parts, click here.

Whirlpool / KitchenAid Microwave Combination Built-In Ovens with Error Code “door”

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:27:45 +0000

More trouble with cheesy electronics in appliances. This time, it’s the Whirlpool-built (includes KitchenAid) built-in combination microwave ovens.

In this particular inconvenience, error code “door” appears in the display and the microwave oven shuts down in mid-cycle. When restarted, the microwave will shut down immediately again and show the “door” error code.

The microcomputer control board (more on that in a minute) will throw this error code whenever it detects an open circuit in the door interlock switch circuit (such as when the door is actually open– go figure!). Hooold on there, Bubbalouie! Uncross them eyeballs and lemme ’splain what that means.

The door interlock switches are the little switches inside the cabinet where the door catches go in and hook when you close the door. They call ‘em microswitches in the trade (I suppose to distinguish them from macroswitches).

In this case, as seen in this wiring diagram, one of the components at play here is the primary interlock microswitch, usually referred to simply as a switch. To save finger strokes, we’ll refer to the primary interlock switch as the PIS, as in, “that little PISser.”

You can tell the PIS from the secondary interlock switch (the SIS- not shown here) because it’s the one with a red and black wire attached to it. How’d I know that? It’s printed right on the wiring diagram.

You see, Grasshoppah, a wiring diagram is nothing more that a road map for wires (and, more interestingly, electrons). Generally, if you can read a road map and fog a mirror, you can read a wiring diagram well enough for most DIY appliance repairs.

Anyway, you’ll need to get to the PIS (some disassembly required; unplug the microwave first and watch out for the high voltage capacitor– it holds a 2,000 volt charge… even when unplugged!). And then check the continuity of the switch while actuating it (pressing the little tab in and releasing it).

Referring again to the wiring diagram, the PIS is just one of the three components that, if open (or bad) will cause the microcomputer to throw a “door” error in the display. You’ll also notice that there are two fuses in that circuit: a 20amp and 15 amp fuse in series with each other (that means they’re on the same line). If either one of those fuses are open, you’ll get the same error in the display. So, you need to do a continuity check on both those fuses with your multimeter.

If any three of these things are open– the PIS or either of the two fuses– you’ll get “door” on the display.

If you check all those and they’re good, then you’re probably looking at a bad microcomputer control board. This microcomputer controls the operation of the microwave and monitors the position of the oven door. As you might expect, this is not something that can be adjusted or corrected by replacing the out-of-spec component on the board. No, the entire microcomputer must be replaced.

To learn more about your microwave oven, or to order parts, click here.

Microwave Oven Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Flow Chart

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:21:57 +0000

The best-kept secrets in microwave oven troubleshooting revealed! Now, for the first time ever on the internet, Samurai Appliance Repair Man, your partner in appliance repair, reveals what they don’t want you know about diagnosing and repairing your dysfunctional microwave. It’s all ratcheer in this user-friendly, quick and easy microwave oven troubleshooting flowchart. And it’s yours FREE! Download it today and share it with all your friends.

Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man: The planet’s #1 do-it-yourself appliance repair resource.

More microwave oven repair help:

To learn more about your microwave oven, or to order parts, click here.

Samurai Certification for Electronic Circuit Board Analysis

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:40:33 +0000

Almost all major home appliances built today have at least one electronic control board inside of them. Because they are so ubiquitous in the world of major appliances, electronic circuit board analysis is a crucial skill for successfully repairing appliances.

Most grasshoppers are not skilled in the ancient and mystical ways of analyzing electronic circuits. But for those of you out there who are, we here at Samurai International Headquarters would like to identify and honor you with the Samurai Certification for Electronic Circuit Board Analysis (SCECBA; pronounced “skek-bah“). Your SCECBA certification says to the world that you know a thing or two about electronics… and that you do other stuff online besides playing Texas hold ‘em.

If you think you have what it takes for SCECBA certification, then here’s your chance to prove it: take the SCECBA exam.

If you pass, you will receive a cool electronic SCECBA decal to be proudly displayed on your website.

GE Recalls Tens of Thousands of Combination Microwave / Conventional Wall Ovens

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:12:36 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Built-in Combination Wall and Microwave Ovens

Units: About 92,000

Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: The door switch in the microwave oven can overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The lower thermal oven does not pose a hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: GE is aware of 35 incidents of minor property damage and one incident in which a fire damaged adjacent kitchen cabinets. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes GE combination microwave and conventional built-in wall ovens sold under the following brand names: GE, GE Profile® and Kenmore. The ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The brand name is printed on the lower left corner on the front of the microwave door. The following model and serial numbers can be found inside the microwave oven on the left interior wall.

Recalled Models:
GE / GE Profile
JKP85B0A3BB, JKP85B0D1BB, JKP85W0A3WW, JKP85W0D1WW,
JKP86B0F1BB, JKP86C0F1CC, JKP86S0F1SS, JKP86W0F1WW,
JT965B0F1BB, JT965C0F1CC, JT965S0F1SS, JT965W0F1WW,
JTP85B0A2BB, JTP85B0A3BB, JTP85B0A4BB, JTP85B0A5BB,
JTP85B0D1BB, JTP85W0A2WW, JTP85W0A3WW, JTP85W0A4WW,
JTP85W0A5WW, JTP85W0D1WW, JTP86B0F1BB, JTP86C0F1CC,
JTP86S0F1SS, JTP86W0F1WW, JTP95B0A2BB, JTP95B0A3BB,
JTP95B0A4BB, JTP95B0A5BB, JTP95B0D1BB, JTP95W0A2WW,
JTP95W0A3WW, JTP95W0A4WW, JTP95W0A5WW, JTP95W0D1WW
Serial number begins with:
AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ,
LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ,
VZ, ZZ, AA, DA, FA,
GA, HA, LA, MA, RA,
SA, TA, VA, ZA, AD,
DD, FD, GD, HD, LD,
MD, RD, SD, TD, VD,
ZD, AF, DF, FF, GF,
HF, LF, MF, RF, SF,
TF, VF, ZF
Kenmore (All model numbers start with 911):
41485991, 41485992, 41485993, 41485994,
41489991,41489992, 41489993, 41489994,
49485992, 49489992, 47692100, 47699100,
47862100, 47869100, 47812200, 47813200,
47814200, 47819200, 47792200, 47793200,
47794200, 47799200 0, 1, 2, 3
Sold at: Department and appliance stores from January 2000 to December 2003 for between $1,500 and $2,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the microwave oven immediately. Consumers should contact GE regarding their GE/GE Profile micro-oven combo or Sears for their Kenmore unit. GE is offering a free repair or rebate on a new product, a $300 rebate toward the purchase of a new GE brand unit, or a $600 rebate toward the purchase of a new GE Profile brand unit. Sears is offering a free repair or $300 rebate toward the purchase of a new Kenmore brand unit. Consumers can continue using the lower thermal oven.

Consumer Contact: For additional information on GE /Profile units, contact General Electric toll-free at (888)-240-2745 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit GE’s Web site at www.geappliances.com. For additional information on Kenmore units, contact Sears toll-free at (888) 679-0282 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, or visit Sears’ Web site at www.sears.com

GE Microwave: Turntable doesn’t turn any more

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

What’s the use of having a turntable if it no longer turns? This thread from the Samurai School of Appliantology will help you get the turn back in your table.

Whirlpool Microwave Ovens Overheating

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Certain models of Whirlpool microwave ovens have a problem with their thermal fuse that causes them to overheat. Whirlpool has a service bulletin out on this problem. Details here. Related posts:GE Recalls Tens of Thousands of Combination Microwave / Conventional Wall Ovens Whirlpool / KitchenAid Microwave Combination Built-In Ovens with Error Code “door” Whirlpool Microwave Oven [...] Related posts:

Panasonic Inverter Microwaves – Advanced or retrograde?

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

What’s the real scoop behind those Panasonic Inverter Microwave ovens? The Iceman gives us his engineering analysis, check it out. Related posts:Appliance Tip of the Day: Microwave Oven Know-How Microwave Oven Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Flow Chart GE Hydrowave Top-Loading Washer Won’t Run Related posts:

Kitty in the Microwave

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

budthedog wrote:

I thought the cat in the microwave was an animation of some type, is there a link to the original version available? There is a bet of a case of beer riding on this. Thanks

_______________________________

Message sent from IP: 4.143.218.17

You must be thinking of my banner created by talented graphic artist and famous internet personality, You Hurt My Brain. Here it be:

As you can see, the kitty is still in the microwave. Enjoy those brewskis!

Online Microwave Oven Diagnostic Guide

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 02:22:45 +0000

Microwave Oven Diagnostic & Repair Guide
Problem	Possible Causes
It’s completely dead.	Check the circuit breaker and make sure you have 120v at the outlet, Hoss. Fuse blown in the control panel. Sounds easy and it is if you know how to take the thing apart without getting your gluteus flabbeous shocked off by the capacitor in there that holds 2,000 volts (yes, even with it unplugged). Have fun, Homer. Control board fried. Test for power going to board. If exists, problem lies on board somewhere. On the GE/Hotpoints using the "smartboard," it is sometimes possible to locate a bad soldering connection on the board that can be repaired, restoring function to the board. Otherwise the entire board must be replaced.
Microwave seems to run but does not heat.	Magnetron is fried. Resistance between the magnetron terminals should be less than 3 ohms. Resistance from the magnetron terminal to ground should be infinite. Fried HV capacitor. Use your ohm meter to test it. Fried control board. If power is going to the board but not going off to the other components, the board is bad and needs to either be replaced or track down the bad connection (GE/Hotpoints). HV Rectifier is shorted or open. Test forward and reverse bias with a megohmmeter. If continuity in both directions, rectifier is shorted, replace. If no continuity in either direction, rectifier is open, replace. More help on testing specific components inside your microwave oven in this handy chart.
Microwave sparks while in use.	You let grease accumulate on the oven ceiling and this starts frying during use. Clean up your act! Microwave stirrer is not working because either the blower motor is fried or the stirrer belt is broken. Without the stirrer, microwave energy will concentrate on one part of the oven and cause burning, sparking, etc. Again, the HV Rectifier is shorted or open. Test as described above.

There’s loads more microwave oven repair information in this highly recommended reference:

Repair-Master Microwave Oven Repair Manual

Specific repair help for most American-made brands.

To learn more about your microwave or to order parts, click here.

Microwave Oven Repair Manual

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Mon, 29 Sep 2003 19:11:30 +0000

Working on a your microwave oven? Stop banging your head on the wall! .

Use this microwave oven repair manual from Sharp and whup-up on that bad boy!

To learn more about your microwave oven, or to order parts, click here.

Appliance Tip of the Day: Microwave Oven Know-How

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Working on your microwave oven? Check out the online microwave repair manual first and you just might find out how to fix it. If not, there’s more detailed help in these two fine references below. If you’re working on an American-made microwave (e.g., Whirlpool, Maytag, etc.) then get the Repair-Master microwave oven repair manual. If you’re working on a Sharp or some other brand, then you need Troubleshooting and Repairing Microwave Ovens.

Repair-Master microwave oven repair manual

Specific repair help for most American-made brands.

Troubleshooting and Repairing Microwave Ovens

Includes fundamental information applicable to all microwave ovens, regardless of brand.

Whirlpool Microwave Oven Tidbits From the Factory

Samurai Appliance Repair Man — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

If your Whirlpool Microwave Combination Built-In oven is giving you the error code “door” in the display and you can’t restart the unit, then the door-monitoring portion of the microcomputer board is fried. The only cure is to replace the microcomputer board. Whirlpool just started making more of these boards in July 2002 so there could be some delays in getting a new one but you can special order it here.