As soon as I start the cooking cycle, it shuts off with ****** in the display. We have been able to reset the time and date to get it going again, but now that does not work. We recently had new cabinets installed and we are not sure how our microwave was treated. All problems started after this...

Possibly a bad oven temp sensor. If the uinit doesnt read a temperature it will shut down to prevent a fire or over heating. The temp sensor is a thermister A temperature variable resistor that changes value as the temp changes. so If the main board doesnt get a response within a vertain resistance range it shuts things down. Sometimes since those parts are in the actual cooking area and subject to the heat and steam from cooking they can rust and break, or just get old and break. Or slam the door and break, you get the idea!!

Sounds like stuck relay contacts. Magnetrons need a high voltage source which is controlled by a micro to relay and then from relay to voltage source. Even the turntable works via a relay.

There are a couple of safety thermostats under the cover that can shut down power. One is on the magnetron tube (the microwave source) in case the tube overheats. Another one is on the cooking cavity to shut the oven off if something catches fire while cooking. These interrupt the power, same as unplugging the oven, which is why you need to reset everything.

It's possible that because of the oven's age, the magnetron tube is weak enough that it's overheating when it tries cooking. As the tube ages it works harder and gets hotter. But it usually takes more than a couple of seconds for the thermostat to operate. These thermostats sometimes go bad on their own and operate too soon.

Other possible causes for power loss are a fuse loose in its holder or intermittent connections to the control circuit board.

Since troubleshooting power problems means working on the oven with the cover off and the power on, you should leave repairs to a professional. MICROWAVE OVENS USE HAZARDOUS VOLTAGES WHICH CAN KILL YOU. Let a professional check the oven and give an estimate for the repair. Given the age of the oven you may want to consider replacing rather than repairing this one, but let cost be your guide.

See this FixYa solution, even if your model number is different.

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You have a bad or loose magnetron.

See this FixYa solution. even if your model number is different.

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See if this describes what's happening:

• Put in time, push start and unit runs for 2 seconds, relay clicks, unit goes off. Cook time on display goes off and clock time comes back. Bad upper interlock switch and charred connector.

If so, see http://www.microwavedisplay.com/safety.txt , http://www.microwavedisplay.com/disassembly.txt and http://www.microwavedisplay.com/doorsw.txt

Otherwise, if the digital programmer circuit / controller does not get a feedback signal from the inverter for a period of 3 seconds, the controller will stop the cook cycle.

That may be a loose connection in the wiring between the inverter, magnetron, and/or control board, or maybe one of those components has failed.

Due to the lethal voltages used and produced in inverters, I do not recommend that an inexperienced person work on these.

You can find many Panasonic owner's manuals for free download here.

You can find an authorized Panasonic servicer here.

In Canada, you can find an authorized Panasonic servicer here.

If you're not in the US, see Panasonic.net.

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hello mam
i am having the solution for this problem check the lock terminals for loose connection and if its working and check the magnetron which produses the heat inside the microwave.

The magnatron (heating element) is located in the cavity behind the control. If it's leaking microwaves onto the electronics, this will occur. This means the Mag should be replaced and a radiation test run on unit.

That's how it would sound if you were cooking on a power level less than full power.

If you enter the cooking time and hit Start, it should cook at full power by default and not cycle like you describe.

If you are using some sensor cook setting or automatic type cooking setting, it may cycle like that normally.

The first thing to try is a "hard reset". Unplug it from the power line for a minute, plug it back in, set the clock, then try again.

Let us know if the hard reset doesn't fix it.

If you don't have your manual, you can download it free here. Check the lower right area to enter your model. number.

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The power to the unit is drooping (when the heavy microwave load kicks in) causing the reset.
Try plugging it into a different outlet (whole different circuit if possible) and if that works then you have a wiring problem to the original outlet.