Gurus:
My 1999 Kenmore over the stove microwave/hood combination has a power
supply issue.
I first noticed that food wasn't heating in the usual amount of time.
I did not then notice that the unit was turning off and then back on,
all by itself.
The same thing happens with the exhaust fan and light. If they are
turned on, they go off and then back on within a couple of seconds.
This is also true of the clock, though the power is never out long
enough for it to reset to a blank ":".
Any ideas?
Tom
Milwaukee, WI
My opinion based on experience is the Microwave is shot, or getting there
and is wreeking havoc with the power. My microwave did the same thing,
complete power out and I had to wait several minutes before it would seem to
reset itself, the beeper would go off and the LCD panel would light up
again. Set the clock and ready to go until it happens again. I replaced
the microwave (it was an Ewave model from Lowes) and the problem seems to
have gone away. I would suggest before you start ripping out wires that you
try another microwave.
I really find it fascinating how many people have the same or similar
problems on this board. What are the odds?
the odds are really good.
do a little searching on how the fuses in these things work. then replace
yours. if it fails again shortly, you need to toss your microwave leaking
microwave.
randy
I agree with m Ransley that a loose connection is a good possibility.
There shouldn't be too much in common with both the microwave and
exhaust fan portion of the unit except the main (house) power supply
and the connection around the microwave's internal fuse. BTW. A bad
fuse itself would not usually cause such a symptom, maybe a bad fuse
*holder*.
In the end someone is going to have to actually trace the power supply
to see where it stops. I doubt anyone here in the newsgroups is going
to be able to tell you where that is.
Unfortunately, intermittent problems are often the hardest to isolate
and it may need to be used until it fails completely so the fault can
be found. I wouldn't recommend that until the unit has at least been
given the 'once over' with an eye for problem signs (arcing,
discoloration, melting, etc.).
JMO
Dan O.
-
Appliance411.com
http://ng.Appliance411.com/?ref411=Kenmore+microwave
=Ð~~~~~~
While they are common on microwaves they are usually only found on the
magnetron tube (the microwave 'generator') which if cut out would only
stop operation of that tube and would not effect the exhaust fan or
any lights.
JFYI
Dan O.
-
Appliance411.com
http://ng.Appliance411.com/?ref411=microwave+oven
=Ð~~~~~~
Hi Tom,
If I may chime in w/my $.02,
The most common intermittent of this type that I see is caused by
solder cracks on the controller pcboards. It's somewhat of a
testimonial to the reliability of the electronics that the solder
connections fail more often than the components themselves.
I see this a lot, on both microwaves and electronic control ranges.
'Have been resoldering them for many years, with good results.
Sometimes you have to look at the conn's with a magnifying glass,
but in cases like you're describing the faulty ones will be obvious
once you get down to the conn. side of the board.
The old GE MHC's were well known for this - they'd burn a 1/4
inch hole right *through* the power/relay boards at the harness
plug pins! But even they could be repaired, so don't be too hasty
to scrap this one. Hold out for a technician who's not afraid to pull
the board and take a look at it before condemning the whole unit.
'Shouldn't have to be pulled off the wall to do this. Access is usually
pretty easy from the front.
PS - check your serial number. If it begins with 'XC', visit the
Whirlpool website I've listed in the resource below. Yours may be
covered under the recall (made between 1/98-10/01). You'll find more
details in the 5-02 backissue of my newsletter, including the Whirlpool
website where you can determine if your unit's affected, here:
http://www.davesrepair.com/DRSNbackissues/drsn0502.htm
Hope that's of some help.
God bless,
Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service
New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com
snipped-for-privacy@sosbbs.com
570-363-2404
I'm a 32-year pro appliance technician, and love sharing what
I've learned - in a FREE Monthly Appliance Tips Newsletter.
(Back issues now posted here too!) www.DavesRepair.com
John 3:3
Gurus:
Thanks for your thoughful responses. Based upon what you've told me,
there MAY be hope for this machine and consequently I've called for
in-home service that will cost $58 to give me an estimate. Though it
is somewhat a roll of the dice, I feel its worth the risk that the
estimate will come in too high to warrant actual repair. Based upon
what I've read, it seems that this diagnosis/repair is not something I
want to tackle myself.
I paid $450 for the unit new. What would you spend for a repair before
throwing in the towel and buying a new one? I'm told that the newer
microwave ovens are more cheaply made and last an average of only 6-9
years. Is that also your opinion?
Tom
Milwaukee, WI
it doesnt matter what you paid for it, what could you get a new comprable
model for?
have you replaced the fuse? you need to be careful when you open it up to
replace it, but its not rocket science. there are also plenty of web pages
describing how to discharge the capacitor for extra safety, but usually the
fuse is somewhere it can be replaced relatively safely. use a plastic tool
to pull and replace it.
as for 6-9 years, sounds about right based on the ones ive seen. although
often they can be repaired (triacs seem to blow quite often) and last that
long or longer.
randy
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