Microwave range top lights

Hi Edward
I should mention (although it's pretty obvious) that Microwave Energy is DANGEROUS.
So it's better not to fiddle with the internals.
A quick test can be done to check for electromagnetic energy (in the 2.45Ghz range) inside the oven. Put a glass of water in the Microwave Oven and place 2 strips of tinfoil across the top of the open glass above the water. Put the strips close together but not quite touching then close the door.
Start the microwave & look through the glass window. Listen & Watch for sparks between the tinfoil pieces. If there are sparks then your Microwave Oven is generating or transmitting electromagnetic energy from the magnetron tube unit.
If it's working Don't leave it sparking too long. The tinfoil can get hot enough to burn. The glass of water is to absorb any microwave energy.
There is an interlock switch on the door for safety to protect you from microwaves leaking out of the door cracks. This switch fails to function sometimes. But normally the oven won't even try to power on or spin the turntable (or Fan) if this interlock fails.
If there are no sparks then your Magnetron is shot. Its usually not worth fixing them unless you know of a specialist technician who is qualified and competent with microwave equipment.
Hope This Helps
..... Trevor

My wife noticed a strong smell of something burning inside our home. Luckily we were home. The microwave was NOT on...and the turntable was turning and making that grinding sound. When I opened the door, the turntable kept turning....all digital lights were OFF. The microwave does not work. I am extremely angry that this unit was able to continue to grind unnoticed. If we were not home, I assure you that this would have caused a kitchen fire. The upper inside portion was extremely hot to the touch and the cabinet on top of the over-the-range microwave was also very hot. This would have easily caused ignition and a subsequent kitchen fire. I am going to report this to the UL.

Thanks for posting the model number. It makes all the difference.

On this model, that would be a failing bottom door switch, or the mount for that switch.

See this helpful file on door switch diagnosis and replacement.

This is usually caused by opening the door while it's cooking instead of hitting the "Stop" pad first.

In some rare cases, it may go out of alignment due to slamming, but, it's probably not an adjustment.

You can find helpful exploded views and order parts here.

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

It sounds like the magnetron may have either failed or is not being supplied with the extremely high voltage required to run it.
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 on high resistance range for short circuit, 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.

Hello there:
It sounds normal, but there's no heat When the microwave sounds okay, but there's no heat, one of the internal door switches, the high voltage circuitry, or the circuit board may have a problem. To resolve this problem, you need the assistance of a qualified appliance repair technician.

Many over-the-range microwave ovens suffer from intermittent problems caused by excessive moisture from the range/stove entering the microwave cabinet and collecting on the circuitry. Often the problem is with one or two simple connections that may need tightening or soldering. But, to repair these components, the microwave cabinet needs to be opened. So we recommend that you seek the assistance of a qualified appliance repair technician.

This is usually caused by either a bad door switch or a loose door switch mount, which are pretty simple problems to fix.

See our file on door switches here.

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.

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

In my experience, the wires will only reach the place where the switch goes.

I hope this helps a little.

Thanks for your interest in FixYa.com

A door open micro-switch has failed it is stuck closed.

This part has failed: http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?s=t-JVM1540DM-%3d%3di875092&PartID=875092

Thanks for using FixYa!

Kelly

This is probably a bad primary interlock switch (bottom door switch) but there is a chance it's a bad relay or connection on the control board.

If you or someone you know decide to look into it, we have critical information on safety, disassembly and door switches at our site, and our link is at our listing here on FixYa:.

You can find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts for many brands by entering your full model number here.

There also 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.

Door switch or mount trouble is usually caused by slamming the door or by opening the door while it's cooking without hitting the Stop pad first.

There are plastic mounts inside the microwave which hold the door switches and onto which the door latches lock when you close the door.

The screws on these mounts may be loose. If they get too loose, the switches will not be activated properly.

Sometimes it's a broken tab on the switch holder, allowing the switch to rotate just out of position. This tab can be hard to see, since it is under the bottom edge of the switch.

If you only need a switch, you can order a universal type here for $5 postpaid.

If you think the problem is on the control panel, we repair these nationwide by mail for $39.95 postpaid in most cases.

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

This is probably due to a bad door switch, most likely the top one. The microwave got hot because the cooling fan was not running. If you or a friend decide to work on it, we have *critical* safety, disassembly, and troubleshooting info (as well as a text file which helps in diagnosing and repairing door switch problems) at our site, which is linked at our listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk You can find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your model number here: http://www3.sears.com/