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J.C. Carley Posted on May 18, 2016
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Our microwave starts, the turntable thing turns and the food heats a little but it is very, very quiet. Sounds like something didn't kick on.

I tried to heat up a chiken parm package that usually takes 4 mins to heat but after 4 minutes of next to silent cooking, it was warm but not really hot. What might be wrong?

  • J.C. Carley May 19, 2016

    Interesting, Dave. Thanks! But It just did this suddenly. Weird.

  • Dave May 19, 2016

    If the magnetron is not drawing its usual amount of current, then the high voltage transformer has less current flowing through it, and less of a magnetic field in its core. The magnitude of the magnetic field determines how much noise it makes, and how much vibration is transferred to the frame of the oven.

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Dave

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  • Microwave Ovens Expert 547 Answers
  • Posted on May 19, 2016
Dave
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If this oven had been in use for a while, you might have an intermittent magnetron. As they age, resistance builds up on some of the elements inside. Eventually they just stop oscillating, but some end up on the fence; not being able to decide to oscillate or not. They become intermittent for a while, and then eventually fail completely.

I have also seen intermittent high voltage rectifiers. They usually fail sooner, rather than later.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/david_29ad5d1dd86564b0

5 Related Answers

MicrowaveSvc

William Miller

  • 9179 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 18, 2006

SOURCE: Ge jvm1860 microwave oven

Rotu is right - it certainly could be crud on the waveguide vcover or waveguide. If not, it might very well be be a bad magnetron. My understanding is that GE had a run of bad magnetrons and/or other problems in the high voltage section, but I don't know if they publicly acknowledged it. If it's not a dirty waveguide problem, I would contact GE or an authorized servicer. If you don't have a manual, you can download it here: http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/literature/

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Anonymous

  • 17 Answers
  • Posted on May 14, 2008

SOURCE: Microwave turns on, but no heat or turntable movement

The problem is that the magnatron is not getting power. Chance is that if could be a bolwn fuse inside the unit. If the fuse don't fix it then that leaves the charging diode, capacitor or the magnatron, or high voltage xformer of which without technical epertize I would not recomend attempting to replace. good luck

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Feb 12, 2009

SOURCE: Microwave won't heat food.

built in 3/94 is it worth fixing how much for magetron

MicrowaveSvc

William Miller

  • 9179 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 02, 2009

SOURCE: Sharp Carousel R-1481 Turntable

It may very well have have damaged the turntable motor.

The turntable system consists of the motor, the coupler, the turntable support with rollers, and the tray.

You can see and hear a video of how a turntable motor should sound when you rotate it by hand.

If yours is not set to be off via the control panel, and it won't rotate or it sounds like it's grinding, etc., you may have a bad motor or plastic coupler.

To replace either, you need to unplug power, then remove the bottom cover of the oven.

On many Sharp models, you have to cut the motor cover off with snips, then use a screw when reassembling it.


We have the service / repair manual for this model and have uploaded it to our site here to help you.

It will give you safety info, step by step help in disassembly, troubleshooting tips, and part numbers.

You will need the
free Acrobat Reader to view or print it in case you don't have it already.

The best place to order parts for this brand is Encompass (formerly Tritronics). Or you can call them toll-free at 866-779-5835.

Be sure if you cook an egg that you puncture the shell first so it can breathe.

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

Anonymous

  • 276 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 25, 2009

SOURCE: GE Microwave won't heat or cook - one year old

More than likely the magnetron has failed. This could be for a number of reason. Do you use your microwave to heat wheat packs or warm plates? If so, you may have dried the magnetron out (they use the moisture in whatever you're cooking to heat it, and plates/wheat bags have no moisture).

I'd say a trip to your local Microwave repairer could be in order. It could also be the High Voltage Fuse which has failed. Either way a repairer will be able to tell you!

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Good Luck!
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