Author Topic: Microwave oven woes? (Read 2046 times)

bad Chad · « **on:** June 21, 2020, 01:45:21 PM »

My wife was warming coffee in the mic, when she pulled open the door the microwave tripped it's breaker in the panel. I flipped it back on, and the unit lights up and appears ready to go, but when the start button is pushed it trips the breaker again. It has its own dedicated breaker, and all was well until today. I don't know much about electricity. I think either the microwave has gone bad, or the breaker has. I'm thinking if I shut off the MAIN and then switch the breaker with another of the same amp, I could decern where the problem lies?

antmanbee · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2020, 01:57:15 PM »

Plug the microwave into another circuit. If it is a built in unit does it have it's own outlet box in the cabinet above or is it wired in with wire nuts?

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2020, 02:31:59 PM »

Maybe.....
(not saying that I have seen this design)
Maybe it is a door safety switch. Microwaves DO have a number of switches to check for door open. As in, they don't want to 'nuke' the operator. Since it happened when the door was opened, maybe one of the safety switches tripped and the job is to short it out, and save a life. As in, the normal switch simply stops the oven, the safety backup shorts it out and pops the breaker.
Maybe not, but maybe worth checking if you get the cover off.

Turin · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2020, 02:39:40 PM »

How old is it?
They don't make appliances to last anymore.

StuCorpe · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2020, 02:45:06 PM »

Wayne has a good suggestion but I also suspect it may have a bad magnetron (the tube that generates the microwave energy) as I have seen this happen several times in the past.

dguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2020, 03:01:05 PM »

Have you had strange visitors, sometimes microwaves are used to probe your mind..

Yes, I'm kidding. or am I? mwahaha

Moparnut72 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2020, 08:34:35 PM »

Microwaves aren't very expensive these days. Pitch it and get a new one, not worth fooling with it.
kk

Tom H · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2020, 11:59:54 PM »

If it's a counter op version, as mentioned, try another outlet.

If it has gone the way of the Dodo, just scrap it. I had one crud out after a power surge. After opening it up I found the circuit board that was bad. Finding a replacement for the 15 year old was not worth the price of the part. Bought a new one with higher watts and a few new features that I actually use.

Tom

ChuckH · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2020, 05:17:13 AM »

Ours went bad recently. Just wasn't heating, lights were on, the clock worked, the door shut fine, just no heat. Neighbor suggested that it could be a diode in the heating circuit. Pulled the back/sides off to get at the innards, found/changed the diode ($6.00), hung the unit back in place, works fine again. Wife happy!!

s1120 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2020, 06:07:03 AM »

If its popping fuses I would guess Magnetron in it. Unless its really new I would just pitch it myself.

GeneW · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2020, 08:11:34 AM »

Just went through this issue with our microwave. There are three switches that sense the door position. One of the switches (monitor interlock switch) if closed while the microwave is running or when you hit the start button will connect the white and black wires and cause the breaker to pop.

Ultimate safety feature to make sure magnetron is not energized while the door is open.

Getting to the switch can be an issue but the cost of the switch is a couple dollars.

Don G · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2020, 12:35:08 PM »

Learn to live without one?

DonG

Tom · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2020, 02:21:55 PM »

bad Chad · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2020, 05:19:22 PM »

Thanks brothers and sisters. Ran an extension cord, ruled out the circuit. Got on Youtube and started my homework. Found out this microwave is like many, and relatively easy to work on. Ran a couple continuity test on the three switches that GeneW is talking about and sure enough, the monitor interlock switch has failed. Through the miracle of modern tech I'll have two new switches at my door on Wednesday. I "should" be able to pop a new one in and be back in business! I hope so, it's a higher end matching appliance that matches the range and fridge. The set was here when we bought the house and it's less than 4 years old, hate to toss it out if it can be saved. Not to mention since it's semi built in over the range it cost around $400 for another one to match!!

I really don't know how I fixed anything prior to the inter-webs?

And GeneW I'll be sending you a fake check for a $1000 for since you nailed it!

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2020, 05:58:59 PM »

Quote from: bad Chad on June 22, 2020, 05:19:22 PM

And GeneW I'll be sending you a fake check for a $1000 for since you nailed it!

Hey. don't forget my fake check.

Tom · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2020, 06:03:35 PM »

Problem solved!

Knuckle Dragger · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2020, 09:18:36 PM »

Please be careful of the microwave's electronics. Just because it's off & unplugged doesn't necessarily mean it's safe.

People have been seriously hurt from supposedly dead microwaves. There's at least one fairly powerful & capacious capacitor (a type of storage device that can remain "live") in there that retains a large, potentially deadly charge. You can bridge the capacitor's 2 electrodes with a well-insulated metal wire, pliers etc. to discharge any stored potential.

Tom H · « **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2020, 11:20:37 PM »

The above is another reason I didn't pursue the circuit board.

Be careful,
Tom

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #18 on:** June 23, 2020, 12:07:22 AM »

"And GeneW I'll be sending you a fake check for a $1000 for since you nailed it!" (from Bad Chad)

This is one of the many reasons why I love this forum....You can get all sorts of great advice, for fake checks, wooden nickels, and monopoly money! Sometimes , if its real valuable information, you have to pay 2 cents

Rick.

LowRyter · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2020, 08:31:46 AM »

I never considered that a microwave could be a home repair. Most folks just pitch them and buy another. Now I know to check Mr Google and brother You Tube.

The other day the auger in the ice maker in the fridge started to shed it's blades in the ice. Careful, since it's clear plastic and in your drinking glass. I thought it would bean easy fix and checked You Tube. It was ridiculously more complex that I imagined, from multi levels of fasteners to a rotating blade pack that stacked a dozen+ components together. Lucky there was a You Tube on it because I'd have broken it just trying to get it apart and would have complete with mess of components. After seeing the vid, I was able to go step by step and was prepared with the right tools. I figured out a couple of better steps than displayed in the vid after thinking about it before I started. And that dang plastic auger cost $60. So even the easy jobs might not be so easy. But seeing a vid is a great way to prepare and finish the job.

80CX100 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 23, 2020, 08:50:02 AM »

Well Chad I hope your microwave repair goes better than mine.

When my 3 yr old Panasonic went tu I watched the videos, did the research and after much dicking around, picked up a pair of special fuses.

First fuse lasted for 2 minutes, 2nd fuse 1 minute, my time is precious, so out to the curb the Panasonic went

My new LG mw was a much easier fix, than chasing safety switches and parts on my Panasonic, fwiw.

I feel for you with the built in aspect, I had to deal with a 35 yr old Jenn Air, really limits your options.

Good luck

Kelly

GeneW · « **Reply #21 on:** June 24, 2020, 08:22:05 AM »

Now I feel bad. I have 10 posts and no Moto Guzzi whereas Wayne has 13,000 posts and who knows how many Guzzi's?

I think it is only fair that Wayne should get at least half the fake check money ($500) for having essentially solved the problem.

Our first microwave (a wedding present) lasted for 32 years. The microwave that replaced it had the switch fail 2 years after purchase. Bought my last motorcycle back in 1978 (Ducati). Still have it and runs great. Microwave experience illustrates why I am moving slowly on buying my first Guzzi, a new V7iii.

Good luck with the repair.

bad Chad · « **Reply #22 on:** June 24, 2020, 08:45:22 AM »

Don’t spare Wayne any concern he has become independently wealthy of bogus checks from his many years of valuable contributions. In fact I think I’ll write one out for him today!

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #23 on:** June 24, 2020, 10:34:56 AM »

Quote from: bad Chad on June 24, 2020, 08:45:22 AM

Don’t spare Wayne any concern he has become independently wealthy of bogus checks from his many years of valuable contributions. In fact I think I’ll write one out for him today!

I have a huge pile of bogus checks. I now prefer electronic bogus checks payments.

Just send me you bogus bank account numbers.

bad Chad · « **Reply #24 on:** June 24, 2020, 07:42:00 PM »

$5 switch did the trick! Works like brand new. I feel like a super star in my house, fixed a broken toilet valve in the AM, and by 5pm had the high end microwave begging me to say "uncle"! I won! Thanks to the the vast assistance of the Looonge exhausted mind trust found here, I get to strut about the house for at least 10 minutes!

And thanks to you, I didn't kill myself doing it.

LowRyter · « **Reply #25 on:** June 24, 2020, 07:50:03 PM »

Chad, you're not a superstar until you fix the augur in the ice maker.

News:

Author Topic: Microwave oven woes? (Read 2046 times)