Two way light switch not operable on high lumen

Check out with a multitester whether the control panel switch on the power towards the high voltage transformer NNB disconnect the high voltage transformer for this test. if not the relay on the electronic controlle device is broken and the panel needs replacement. check also the 3 safety switches on the door for proper operation. mind the power it is dangerous.

There are four door operated interlock switches that control various operations. The upper primary interlock activates the high voltage circuit and the light and computer are on a different switch. So the light can come on the computer can work, but the oven will not actually run. Pull control panel to access or remove case.

There could be a number of issues, A schematic would be of great help to determine how the lights operate / how they are controled. They might be controled directly off the control board, or via a step down transformer. The lights might have two filiments for low & high. There could be two light bulbs, where one is on for low & two for high. A two position switch could be bad for the high position.

It's possible the high-voltage capacitor is bad, but I suspect a bad interlock monitor switch. This is one of several switches operated by the door latches, and it's wired to cause the fuse to blow if you try to operate the oven with the door open. The switch may be stuck, which can happen if the oven door gets slammed. It's also possible the switch is good but is out of adjustment.

Replacement switches are available. The Sears parts website has an exploded diagram showing where it's located (item number 30). You should let a professional make the repair, though. Microwave ovens are dangerous items to work on, and if door repairs aren't done correctly there can be excessive microwave leakage.

It sounds like the magnetron may have be failing or failed or is not being supplied with the extremely high voltage required to run it.

YOUR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT

This is a job for a professional but if you are safety clued up, here's instruction.
Make sure the !!!!capacitor is discharged!!!!! before attempting any sort of repair.
Check the door interlock switches first then the high voltage diode with either an AVO model 8 or moving coil meter on high resistance range for short circuit, (DVM's won't show the fault!), the capacitor can fail and go short circuit, the feed fuse on the primary of the high voltage transformer and then finally, the magnetron is best checked by substitution.
Hope that helps.

R-820BK/BW Microwave Operation Manual
Due to the risks of death or serious injury the above owners manual suggests that a burnt out light demands a service call by a qualified technician.
That said, if you have a basic level of competence and read the safety hazards involved with microwaves (see a good resource on microwave safety and repair at:
http://www.kellerstudio.de/repairfaq/sam/micfaq.htm
Often, the microwave is divided into two main compartments, the electronics compartment(usually immediately behind the front control panel), and the high voltage compartment(usually behind the electronics compartment). The light bulb is likely in one of these two primary compartments. If it is in the high voltage compartment with the HV Capacitor and magnetron, changing the bulb becomes much more dangerous.
Please be very careful if you do decide to do this on your own... unlike most electronics microwaves can remain lethal, even when unplugged. Hope this helps.

We see (and repair) this a lot. The problem is on the control panel, which we regularly repair nationwide by mail for $39.95 postpaid with a one-year guarantee.

At our Web site, you can get details of our service, plus we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

This light failure often occurs when a bulb goes out and the filament shorts, or when the bulbs are removed or installed without first unplugging the oven from the power line. Either can cause such a failure on the controller.

The lights can can be inoperable or stuck on or stuck in "night light" mode. Sometimes this will similarly affect the fan operation or inside light, too.

There should be a "mini-manual" hidden inside the unit behind the control panel or hidden on the left side behind the grille, which is very helpful when troubleshooting, & testing.



At our Web site, we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

Some questions to help you or someone you know troubleshoot it:

When you hit "Start" to microwave, do the inside light, cooling fan, and turntable all come on?

If not, then you probably have a bad door switch or door switch mount and should see these files:

http://www.microwavedisplay.com/safety.txt
http://www.microwavedisplay.com/disassembly.txt
http://www.microwavedisplay.com/doorsw.txt

If the inside light, cooling fan, and turntable are all coming on, then the problem is in the high voltage section, and then the next questions arise:

Any unusual noises? Is it louder or quieter than usual?

We have a sound clip of what a microwave should sound like when the cooling fan and high voltage section are operating here.

A loud buzz, hum, or groan is usually a shorted high voltage rectifier diode, but a sound like gurgling into an empty coffee mug is one symptom of a failed magnetron, and yet the mag can be bad without that sound.

If there's no unusual noise, it may just be a bad connection at the magnetron.

Here are some links you or someone you know can use (in order given) for high voltage section test help, but read the safety warnings first:

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/diode.html
(if it is NOT shorted or burned looking, it's probably fine)

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/mag_test.html
(continuity can be good even though mag is bad!)

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/xformer.html

You can find links to helpful exploded view diagrams and part ordering help here.


I'd recommend that your bookmark this link to your favorites.


Accessing some parts may require you to pull the oven from the wall and remove the cover.

If so, the installation instructions are very handy, and it's best to have two people since the microwave can be heavy and awkward.

You can download GE owner's manuals and installation instructions here.

If it's under magnetron warranty (usually 5-9 years - see owner's manual here), GE will send you the magnetron to do it yourself. Call them at 888-239-6832.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

The problem could be caused:
top door micro-switch
or
Answer: First, make sure your microwave is plugged in and getting an ample supply of power. If the power is on, but it does not work check to make sure the door closes and aligns properly. Microwave door switches have metal terminals on the end that make contact with the door hook or latch. This completes the circuit which allows the microwave oven to run and without this contact the microwave will not operate. A simple misalignment might be breaking the circuit causing the microwave not to operate.
If you suspect that the thermal fuse has blown, call a professional appliance repair person. Even an unplugged microwave oven can kill or seriously injure someone. This is because there is a high energy capacitor inside the microwave oven case. If it is not discharged properly, you could be electrocuted.
If your microwave buzzes or hums but does not produce any heat, it could be a faulty defective diode, triode, high-voltage capacitor, or even a faulty magnetron. However, this problem usually means a bad means a bad magnetron, followed by a bad diode. Call a professional appliance repair person for assistance.
Warning: Microwave ovens are probably the most dangerous of consumer appliances to service due to the very high voltages (up to 5000 V) at potentially very high currents. If you have any doubts about your knowledge and abilities, replace the oven or have it professionally repaired.

We see (and repair) this a lot. The problem is on the control panel, which we regularly repair nationwide by mail for $39.95 postpaid in about a week or so.

At our Web site, you can get details of our service, plus we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

This light failure often occurs when a bulb goes out and the filament shorts, or when the bulbs are removed or installed without first unplugging the oven from the power line. Either can cause such a failure on the controller.

The lights can can be inoperable or stuck on or stuck in "night light" mode. Sometimes this will similarly affect the fan operation or inside light, too.

Feel free to contact me directly (and please remind me of your full model number from the tag on the unit) for more information & help.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

William E. Miller, AS-EET
[email protected]
http://www.microwavedisplay.com
Microwave Oven Control Panel Repair Nationwide