Maytag mmv5186aaw micro wave oven works but fails to heat. everything appears to work except to heat? What could be wrong???

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 owner's manuals and installation instructions for several brands (including Amana, Jenn-Air, Kitchenaid, Litton, Maytag, Roper, Tappan, Thermador and Whirlpool) here.

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