Way Off Topic....Microwave Oven Problem

[NotEnough]

Didn't know where else to post, but I thought that someone here might have have a clue.

We've got a Whirlpool microwave (2-1/2 yrs old). Last week it started freaking out. Here's the problem...whenever you open the door, the turntable starts spinning, you hear the fan going and the 'normal' microwave sounds. It stops whenever the door closes??? Other than that it works as normal.

I haven't tried running it with the door open b/c I don't want to be nuking myself/family.

I don't want to spend a couple hundred to replace it if there is a simple fix.

TIA

 

[arkangel06]

Maybe you can try posting in the off topic (free parking) section

 

[jerryW]

You need to get an appliance tech to check it out. Sounds like you have a monitor switch stuck open and a shorted door switch.

Best thing is to unplug it until it is serviced. Or just replace the thing, depending on repair costs.


jerry

 

[Danglerb]

Microwave insides are the most dangerous appliance that exists. Flat out it will kill you dead. Unlike a TV set with high voltages and low currents, the microwave has power supplies with thousands of volts and amps of current.

 

[NotEnough]

Sorry, I didn't read the entire description for that section. Thought that it was just for toys in the garage. Mod, please move.

I don't plan on opening it and messing with it beyond the front side...door switch, touch panel, etc. Won't go near the MAGNETRON (just sounds dangerous). I'll see how much a replacement will be. I'm guessing replacing with a new one won't be that much more than the standard $100 service call.

 

[rhandwor]

Craftsman does sell repair manuals for your unit. I would buy a manual and read instructions.

 

[Tool Pants]

I have a microwave that must be 25 years old. Back when they were simple. A knob for cook or defrost. Another knob for the timer. I also have digital ones in another house and office, but I like my simple one the best.

It quit working about 3 years ago. No power. I was going to throw it away since it is not worth fixing, even if you can find someone who fixes stuff like that.

So I removed the cover. I saw a fuse. Never knew a microwave had a fuse or that there was a special fuse for microwaves. I replaced it and it worked.

Not your problem because you have power. Mine was a simple problem.

 

[Danglerb]

We bought our last one from Amazon, close to top of the line Panasonic with stainless face etc. about $120 shipped during a sale, oops 5 years ago.

http://www.consumersearch.com/microwaves

 

[kbs2244]

I agree with the stuck or moved door switch idea.
From your description it is doing just the opposite of what it should.

I wouldn't spend $100.00 for a service call.
New ones are just too cheap.

But opening it up to check out the switch shouldn't be too hard.
I don’t know that much about electronics, but I have replaced turntable motors, cleaned and lubed fans, and such.
Except for the megaton they are pretty simple machines.

 

[evil16v]

It's the door switches (yes, plural). they used to be 3 actuated switches... when I got out of appliance repair, some where using a single switch 'unit' with all three contacts. if it is a asingle unit it may proprietary and expensive. if it is the seperate ones, they are cheap and generally all the same (except one uses the NC contacts and the other two use the NO). Price one through kenmore. then weight that against a new one. If it is a "built in", it may be worth it. Those are a little more pricey to replace that the average Microwave.

 

[NotEnough]

Thanks jerryW & evil16v. I'm hoping that's all it is. I found the switches from several online suppliers and they're not too bad, anywhere from $12-16 for a pair of the primary ones (plus shipping). Looks like the monitor switch is now the same as the primary switch, but I'll call Whirlpool to confirm.

Are they fairly easy to get to and replace. Anything tricky about it?

The primaries are item 3 and the monitor is item 4.

 

[jerryW]

Price out the switch holder also, the switch retainers can get broken off when removing the switches. Just be very gentle when pulling the switches out.

Make a diagram of the wires so you can get them back on the right contacts.

Good luck on the repair.


jerry

 

[kbs2244]

Remember that a little squirt of WD40 can do a lot.

 

[PhilR1957]

I had a similar problem with my built in a couple of years ago. Since they are expensive to replace I ordered new door switches on line, and put them in. It's been running fine ever since. Just take your time, it's not that hard.

 

[txz28]

First, the magnatron will not harm you and cannot as long as the power to the unit is unplugged.

Second, I agree with the other posters, it sounds like a door switch problem. There are lots of sources on the internet for appliance parts. Look at the price of the parts. Also look at the price of a new one. Microwaves are so cheap it may not worth the cost depending on the microwave. Open it up and use a multimeter to test the switches.

Side story:
I burned out the turntable motor in mine a year ago. (I was an idiot and put a pan in there that would not spin around so it kept hitting the wall inside.) I was able to order the part for like $30 from somewhere and replace it without much problem. I may not have bothered, except my microwave is the above the stove vent kind.

 

[ranunculous]

Uhh,dumb question:The two round (and powerful)magnets inside the microwave are not harmful outside their environment,are they?
I procurred some of them from junked microwaves in a dumpster and the magnets are quite handy for a variety of things....

 

[jerryW]

The magnets are just magnets. No problem in using them.


jerry

 

[evil16v]

Uhh,dumb question:The two round (and powerful)magnets inside the microwave are not harmful outside their environment,are they?
I procurred some of them from junked microwaves in a dumpster and the magnets are quite handy for a variety of things....

Only if you swallow them

 

[FNFS2000]

I'll take it further off topic

Many countries with socialist medical do not allow microwaves, they were banned in the soviet union in 1976, probably OK there now. They do all kinds of wierd things to different kinds of food, best case is they nuke all the nutrients out, you'd be better off eating sawdust. Worst case, read what they do to animal based protiens. I'd venture to say use of microwaves are a huge part of the health problems in the USSA today. Many if not most medical issues (including cancer) are nutrient deficiency problems that can be avoided like scurvy and hundreds of other things in history books.

 

[nate379]

mwhahahaha!
Do you wear tin foil hats too?

I'll take it further off topic

Many countries with socialist medical do not allow microwaves, they were banned in the soviet union in 1976, probably OK there now. They do all kinds of wierd things to different kinds of food, best case is they nuke all the nutrients out, you'd be better off eating sawdust. Worst case, read what they do to animal based protiens. I'd venture to say use of microwaves are a huge part of the health problems in the USSA today. Many if not most medical issues (including cancer) are nutrient deficiency problems that can be avoided like scurvy and hundreds of other things in history books.

 

[NotEnough]

Well we lived with the possessed microwave for almost two weeks. We had to put it on a power strip with a on/off switch so that we didn't zap ourselves every time we opened it. We had to constantly jiggle the open button to keep it running. What a pain in the ***.

Ordered the switches from Sears. They were just a couple of bucks cheaper than the various on-line sellers. They're sold in pairs so I bought two pairs just in case I needed to replace all three.

Ended up only needing to replace one of them. The one at the very bottom which gets all of the open/close button abuse. jerryW, no lie on the retainer being fairly delicate with all of the little snaps and pins. Thanks for the heads up

Pretty easy fix. $35 and less than an hour is much better than $275 for an identical replacement (cheapest I could find), much less a new microwave and built-in trim kit to fit.

Thanks guys.

 

[jerryW]

Glad to hear you got it fixed. Can't tell you how many times I've seen those retainer clips broken off!


jerry