replace microwave oven light?

[Ed Chait]

My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the bottom.

The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace the bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.

Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.

Ed Chait

[Eric in North TX]

I have a sharp that has a bulb working only part of the time, it too seems to need the case removed to get to the bulb. What are the mfgrs thinking? Mine has a cover to get at the microwave element which I have no business messing with, but no way to change or even tighten the bulb. I have the special tools to get inside, & will when it gets annoying enough. The torx bits with the hole in the center are sold.

[Joseph Meehan]

Hopefully someone saved the manual. It likely will have the instructions to replace the lamp. Maybe not.

BTW That is a nice looking appliance. I just don't like those combined units since when one side has problems or is outmoded by new technology, replacing it becomes a real problem.

[terry]

Be very careful; if you do have to take unit apart and then reassemble it. You are dealing with a microwave a radio transmitter emitting 500 or more watts inside a metal box. Lethal voltages AND the possibility of electromagnetic radiation, so be careful. A microwave may appear to work OK but may be leaking around the edges! Particularly make sure that the edges of the cover around front panel etc. are properly meshed and reassembled as designed to prevent that leakage. This is important. Possibly that is why they are made so as to be tricky to replace lamps; although one would think lamps should be easily replaced inside the oven with the door open to make sure power is off. If uncertain how to proceed it requires a good electronic tech. with possibly some experience with radio transmitters. Working voltages can reach/exceed 5000 volts.

[Dan_Musicant]

:My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of :double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the :bottom. : :The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to :replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace the :bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall. : :Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that :someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet :research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them :like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call. : :I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks. : :Ed Chait

Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb. I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook - EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation. Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate them.

Dan

[JLagg]

Quick way to check for radiation lek is to use a flourescent bulb and move it closely around the microwave. It will glow if there is any kind of leak.

[Dan_Musicant]

:> Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb. :> I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on :> when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there :> wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook - :> EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation. :> Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my :> experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate :> them. :>

:> Dan : :Quick way to check for radiation lek is to use a flourescent bulb and :move it closely around the microwave. It will glow if there is any kind :of leak. For real? This works?? Thanks!

Dan

PS It would probably work with a compact flourescent bulb too, I imagine.

[sonofabitchsky]

Crazy idea, but, um, have you called or emailed Whirlpool?

Ed Chait wrote:

[JLagg]

My brother showed me that one. Yes it works. Didn't believe it till I saw it. And he did have to buy a new microwave as that one was just plain worn out. Lot of tv dinners went thru that thing LOL

[Ed Chait]

Yeah, I suggested that she just do without the light and she is fine with that idea.

thanks,

Ed Chait

[Ed Chait]

My mom called Whirlpool and spoke to someone who was clueless about the procedure for bulb replacement.

The manual for that oven does not address the issue at all.

Makes me think that indeed you have to spend a lot of money for a service call to simply replace a bulb.

I suggested to my mom that she call back and demand to speak to someone higher up in the management chain.

Ed Chait

[Dan_Musicant]

:> PS It would probably work with a compact flourescent bulb too, I :> imagine. : :My brother showed me that one. Yes it works. Didn't believe it till I :saw it. And he did have to buy a new microwave as that one was just :plain worn out. Lot of tv dinners went thru that thing LOL

I ran a compact flourescent around the door flange of my MW today and it didn't glimmer. When I put it inside, though, it glowed very brightly!

[mm]

It's not that. It's that if the person didn't put the cover on just right, or omitted it which undoubtedly some woudl do, the microwaves would escape from the cooking chamber and go everywhere. This is very dangerous.

AIUI, microwaves will heat every water based liquid in sight. This is especially dangerous to the aqueous and vitreos humor in one's eyes. IOW, the things that fill our eyeballs.

BTW, today I tried to give a like-new baby carrrier/carseat to Goodwill and the Salvation Army and a third local charitable thrift shop, and none would take it. One guy explained that they would be sued if one caused an injury. I have a mailing list where I can give it away.

No, no. Take off the trim, which is probably designed to be removed, remove the box, take the sheet metal cover off the badk and replace the bulb. To reassemble, reverse. Don't attempt to open the walls of the cooking chamber.

[sonofabitchsky]

Yeah, because it doesn't appear to be that old of unit. Talk to a manager of some sort.

Ed Chait wrote:

[Eric in North TX]

You must not melt much cheese.

[Dan_Musicant]

: : :> Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb. :> I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on :> when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there : : You must not melt much cheese.

Basically true.