Everything on the microwave works (e.g., turntable lights, controls, etc.) except it will not heat food, defrost food etc. It sounds like a magnatron. Any Ideas before I call a tech? Is there a online manual?

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

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

Hi,

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

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

If everything is working normally, except for heating, the likely cause is the magnetron.  Microwaves can be dangerous to work on, as the site below points out.  If you have an ohmmeter, it is possible to check the magnetron, but be certain to follow the precautions outlined at the webpage:
http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/mag_test.html

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

Here is 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.

You can find links to helpful exploded view diagrams and part ordering help here.

But if you've recently had trouble with the cooktop lights, then the control board may be damaged.

We regularly repair these control units for customers nationwide by mail for $39.95 postpaid in about a week or so with a one-year guarantee.

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

if everything works except the heating, it is most likely the mag tube is on its way out.........that is the most common reason for it not too cook.......since the microwave is a GE and it is 3.5 years old, i would say you are better off buying a new microwave, the mag tube starts at around $70.00 and up + the labor it costs too have a service person put it in........around another $60.00

Sounds like the magnetron has failed. This is the component that produces the microwaves that heats the food.

The cost of the magnetron is about 95% of the cost of a microwave oven. Most people don't, for this reason, replace the magnetron, they replace the whole oven which is probably what you will end up doing.

There is a possibility that the circuit that provides power to the magnetron is faulty and you need to take it apart, find the proper electrical leads and test them with a volt meter. To do this you have to remove it from its mounting and take it apart. It is a fairly lengthy process however.


Benjamin

this is something you should probably call a repair technician for, due to the danger of the componentry.

Usually in ther case of this problem, even a technician will advise you to replace the unit, in the minds of cost effectiveness and safety...

I think its the mag tube, mine went out the same way. GE will provide the mag tube for free just call them...have a local ge certified tech out to put it in.

is the turntable working

have a GE xl1800 microwave that is not heating the food. The lights work, turntable turns etc. all but no heat. Help this microwave is only 1 years old.