Microwave gone crazy

[Puddin' Man]

GE 700w microwave JES735, purchased around 2003. Reasonably good service until this week.

I close the door, it starts itself (fan, lite come on) with nothing on the timer. Sometimes it shuts itself down immediatly, sometimes I have to open the door to stop it.

Sometimes I set the timer, start it, and it runs without counting the time down. Sometimes I set the timer, start it, and it runs for a fraction of a second and shuts down. Works OK maybe 1 of 5 tries.

I search the GE Appliances Knowledge Base for JES735, get "No results Found". But I already knew it was the last GE I'd ever own.

Any idea idea what is wrong with it? Got to be some kind of control module, I 'spect.

Thx, Puddin'

"Law Without Equity Is No Law At All. It Is A Form Of Jungle Rule."

[charlie]

i had a sharp that did exactly this. sometimes it goes on, platter goes around, light goes on, but no nuking. sometimes it just shut off after a small fraction of a second.

it finally died completely. not a fuse since light, fan, timer still works. it was cheaper to replace than to fix.

[JIMMIE]

Freaky operation is often cause by bad connection on the control board. You could disconnect all the plugs, clean and reconnect them.

Jimmie

[stan]

Also try looking for dirt or food stuck in the door micro switches. Those switches are there for proper operation and safety; Warning: If you don't do electronics don't mess with inside. A typical MW has up to 5000 volts DC (at a heavy amperage) and microwave radiation that can cook human meat and damage eyes!

[Puddin' Man]

Thanks # 1. The door switch is indeed part of the problem.

Near as I can tell, the door latch was designed to eventually beat the switch to death.

Thanks # 2. I shoulda thought of a voltage wind-up like CRT's, but I didn't. Haven't got inside yet, but ...

Cheers, P

"Law Without Equity Is No Law At All. It Is A Form Of Jungle Rule."