MH Microwave...worth fixing?

[subtroll]

Our 12 year old above stovetop microwave/convection oven died today half way through baking a batch of muffins... probably overheated. Totally dead, no lights, no clock, no power. Eight hours later and room temperature, it's still dead. Normal 120 VAC at receptacle.

Is it worth attempting to remove, troubleshoot and fix, send for a mobile appliance repairman? or does it make more sense to plan for a new one? Is there a replaceable thermal cutout?

[subtroll]

I threw in the towel! The inline fuse was not blown and the inline Temp Cutout has continuity. An envelop inside contained a very good schematic and trouble shooting instructions. The problem is most likely in the door interlock switches (the most used components), but they are not easily replaced from the front panel access. Removing the unit to get better access is not easy due to the weight and very tight access to the mounting screws.

Heeding the advise of most of the Forum,and upcoming travel plans, I located a better replacement at Home Depot (on sale) and a nearby Newmar dealer will replace it for me next week.

[BrianinMichigan]

It probably has a 15 amp glass style fuse. Most likely It has a coating inside so you can't just look at it to see if it's blown. you will need a ohm meter to check it.

[Ro_n_Joe]

Check it out yourself and if you can't find anything, buy new.

[Tinstar]

Check the fuse inside the microwave and if it's blown, replace it. If it's good, I would vote for a new one.

[Jagtech]

Likely just the fuse. It may have died simply of old age. Cheap, easy do-it-yourself fix... but if it blows again, it is an indication of a defective door safety interlock switch. If that happens, then buy a new microwave.

[cbr46]

Ours didn't work when we bought the moho. I priced new units but would have sacrificed an exhaust fan and overhead light . . . or spent $500. Ended up figuring out which board to replace and ordered from a repair board shop. Didn't even have to drop the unit from it's mount (it dropped on it's own late last year). Still working today.

Somebody dropped a cheap uwave outside my office, non-working. Replaced the fuse inside. Still working today.

If you have the money, by all means buy a new one. If you don't have the money see if you can fix it yourself. You don't need an engineering degree or head up an engineering dept., just get creative, look inside and search on-line for repair parts.

Best,
- bob

[tropical36]

subtroll wrote:
Our 12 year old above stovetop microwave/convection oven died today half way through baking a batch of muffins... probably overheated. Totally dead, no lights, no clock, no power. Eight hours later and room temperature, it's still dead. Normal 120 VAC at receptacle.

Is it worth attempting to remove, troubleshoot and fix, send for a mobile appliance repairman? or does it make more sense to plan for a new one? Is there a replaceable thermal cutout?

I'd probably just go for a new one, at that age, unless you might want to try tinkering with it yourself on the bench, first and since you'll have to remove it anyway.

[time_to_go_now]

Door switches go bad. I had mine replaced. And the magnetron can also go bad. I also had mine replaced. While the magnetron was being replaced, I had all the other electrical parts replaced as well. Cost was $300. I was not able to replace the convection/microwave oven with the same capabilities for $300. So, I repaired the one I had.

[subtroll]

My oven is a GE Profile Spacemaker model JVM1490SD003 made in 2003. I've ordered both the inline fuse and upper heat thermostat online and since the oven must be removed anyway, I'll replace those parts and check for any other "crispy critters" inside.

If the oven must be replaced, I'd prefer a newer version of the same unit so I can use the same mounting bracket, vent duct location etc.

I'm fortunate to have an engineering background and a brother (where we're parked) that was formerly head of Litton Engineering, Microwave oven division.

Thanks for all the good advice and suggestions.

[ArchHoagland]

What brand/model?

[Bikeboy57]

If it is a Sharp, it definitely has a fuse inside. Remover the outer cover and look for a ceramic slo blow fuse. Check it for continuity with your voltmeter.

I fixed a friend's last month.

[Gjac]

DSDP Don wrote:
Some of them use a slow blow fuse. Do a search for the online manual and see if the fuse is easy to replace. Often it's in the front panel.

What Don said is true, I have fixed two microwaves by just replacing these fuses. The ones I replaced were a solid grey material not glass. Bought the fuses from Radio Shack for less than $5.

[WILDEBILL308]

I had the same problem with my microwave /convection oven. There is no one that wants to work on them. The only places I could find wanted to charge a service call and diagnosis about $250.00. I said no thanks. I bought one that fit from Home Depot on line delivered free. I was lucky found the same make and model only 12 years newer. When you decide to change it drop me a line and I will give you some pointers.
Bill

[2gypsies1]

That's a normal timeframe for failure. In fact, you probably got a couple extra years out of it. I wouldn't try to fix it.

We replaced ours through Home Depot. It was a convection. It fit the space perfectly. It was very heavy and awkward to remove so make sure there are two strong bodies around. Good luck! Sorry about the muffins. 😞