It just makes a growling sound and does not heat any thing up. The panels are working.lights timer ect..

Yes it can but it really depends on the brand and model you have. The timer board sends power to a relay on the the timer board, that relay sends power to the Hi Voltage section of the Microwave. Unless your microwave has an inverter and things are a bit different. Best way is to see if there is power getting to the primary of the Hi Volt transformer, if your unit has one. If there is power, the timer is working properly. If not, Bad Board, bad switches. ect.

sometimes a bad relay on the main timer board will tell the unit to heat with nothing in it and it will arc in the wave guide or antenna area. Arcing sounds like growling or grumbling. "Random" may be from the relay sticking sometimes and then sometimes not. Will destroy the wave guide and the magnetron and the unit could not be repaired. Would have to be replaced if that happens

Hi,

Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with your Microwave Oven....

Basic Microwave Oven Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

What you are describing is a problem with the magnetron and it has become faulty, that is the main part that heats the food, the growling sound indicates it is loading down the power transformer that energizes the magnetron. The repair cost will not justify the expense "costly" replacement of the microwave oven "cheaper" in the long run.

A defective diode or magnetron can cause the oven to sound differently and not to cook.

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

ggk

Did it make a loud pop like a firecracker?
Sounds like the High Voltage Diode shorted out and it probably is making a low or loud growling noise now..... ???

yes the turn table turns, everything works, but no heat.

Was the noise something like someone growling into a coffee cup?

As odd as that sounds, that's a common sound for a bad magnetron to make, a hollow gurgling or sizzling.

It may be the magnetron, but generally, the most common causes of a failure to heat are:

- bad door switches or door switch mounts
- loose connection at the magnetron
- problem or loose connection on the control unit circuit board
- bad magnetron or other high voltage part

If you or a friend decide to look into it, we have critical safety information, info on door switch diagnosis and replacement, and
disassembly information at our site, and our link is at our listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

You can usually find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your FULL model number here: http://www3.sears.com (the 3 is correct)

We're happy to help and we appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

Thanks for mentioning that growling sound, which is a classic clue to a bad mag, though not all bad ones make that sound. Sounds like someone growling into a coffee cup! *grin* For this job, the unit will probably have to be taken down from the wall mount. I recommend 2 people for that job. A spotter, if you will. When replacing the magnetron, it's very important to be sure the new one has the wire mesh "washer" (RF gasket) around the antenna which sticks out the top. If it's not on the new one, use the one from the old mag. Very important. Also, you should really discharge the high voltage capacitor. This case also illustrates an interesting thing about part prices: GE http://www.geappliances.com/shop/prts/ WB27X10017 $121.75 Appliance Parts Pros http://tinyurl.com/gv383 10QBP0230 $60.42 (check this one to be sure picture matches yours) A-1 http://a-1catalog.com/10qbp0230.html 10QBP0230 $54.00 Tritronics http://www.wehaveparts.com 10QBP0230 $42.85 I can advise you further concerning safety and disassembly if you need help: http://www.fixya.com/GetServiceUrl.aspx?advid=14&ctgid=153