Question about GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

2 Answers

Light bulbs burning out

My microwave has two tubular bulbs for illuminating the range below. One is constantly burning out bulbs (they only last for a day or two). I checked the specs, which call for a 40-watt bulb, and that's what I am using. Any ideas? The other bulb (the left one) seems to be fine. P.S. I did not disconnect the power before changing the bulb, but the lights were in the off position.

Posted by on

  • 2 more comments 
  • Charles St. Martin Oct 20, 2006

    The bulbs are incandescent. The socket doesn't seem any more loose than the one that is working fine.

    When the bulb goes, not only the filament is broken, but the metal backing wire as well.

    Both bulbs are Sylvania bulbs, both from Lowe's. I wonder if it's a quality issue with the bulbs. I suppose the least expensive option is to buy a different brand bulb from another store and see if the problem persists.

    Perhaps the attached photo will help (it's not easy taking a picture of a burned-out bulb!)

  • Charles St. Martin Nov 12, 2006

    Apparantly it was a bulb quality issue. I had used Sylvania bulbs from Lowe's. I bought a GE bulb from Wal-Mart, almost a dollar less, mind you, and it has worked fine for over a month.

    Thanks for all your suggestions - and I'll make sure I disconnect the power before changing a bulb (although I don't see how this would matter, because there is no power going to the bulb socket when the circuit is closed).

  • stillfield Jan 23, 2008

    lights under the micro oven burn out fast. use 30 watt.



    thanks

  • juconn May 25, 2009

    I have the same problem, and I too did not unplug the microwave before changing the light bulbs, but the switch was off. The light bulbs that were in there before were in there when we moved in two years before, so I know that they can last more than a month (or in the case of the last two light bulbs, one day.

×

Ad

2 Answers

William Miller
  • Level 3:

    An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points
    Superstar:

    An expert that got 20 achievements.
    All-Star:

    An expert that got 10 achievements.
    MVP:

    An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • GE Master
  • 9,179 Answers

That does sound odd! On one hand, I would suspect that maybe the door is getting slammed and that vibration may be contributing to the failure. But that would be much more likely for an incandescent bulb than a fluorescent type. Which is yours? You may have a bad connection on the socket which is causing some excess heat. Does the blown bulb look funny on the ends or at the connection? Assuming you're using the bulb your manual calls for, and the socket is okay, it may be a problem on the control board. Once you've digested this reply, let me know what you find and we can take it from there.

Posted on Oct 20, 2006

  • William Miller
    William Miller Nov 11, 2006

    Then I'd say you have a damaged the control panel assembly, which we repair nationwide for $32.50.

    This is indeed caused by not disconnecting the microwave from the power line when removing or installing a bulb, but the lights do not have to be on for it to cause a failure.

    We see this all the time.

    Even though it's not display repair, per se, I would suggest you do a search on Yahoo.com (not Google) for:

    microwave circuit repair

×

Ad

I too am having problems with a GE Spacemaker eating bulbs. Mine are the bottom lights to light a stove top, not the interior oven light. There are two small halogen bulbs. I bought them on-line, the brand is Bulbrite. They are not easy to find, but I will try Lowes or Walmart next.

Posted on Jun 19, 2007

Ad

3 Suggested Answers

6ya6ya

6ya staff

  • 2 Answers

SOURCE:

Hi there,
Save hours of searching online or wasting money on unnecessary repairs by talking to a 6YA Expert who can help you resolve this issue over the phone in a minute or two.

Best thing about this new service is that you are never placed on hold and get to talk to real repairmen in the US.

Here's a link to this great service

Good luck!

6ya.com

Instant Repair Help over the Phone

6ya.com

Save Time & Money by instantly connecting to...

Posted on Jan 02, 2017

Coldcut

Karl Whisenand

  • 1554 Answers

SOURCE: Light bulbs

fan may have a lot of vibration. or the MAGNETRON is kicking back a jolt. or your slamming the door too hard.

Posted on May 12, 2008

MicrowaveSvc

William Miller

  • 9179 Answers

SOURCE: 40 watt night light bulbs constantly burn out short out.

Is they are left on all the time, this can reduce their life, and they are more susceptible to vibration.

Have you checked at home center or home improvement centers like Lowe's, Builder's Square or Home Depot?

You can order quality parts such as lamps by entering your full model number or part number WB36X10003 here.

Always be sure the microwave is unplugged or the breaker is off when installing or removing bulbs, and be sure the bulbs and and your hands are clean when installing them.

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

Posted on Feb 14, 2009

Add Your Answer

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

1 Answer

The light bulb above the stove under the microwave hood keeps burning out. I have replaced the bulb twice in the last month. The microwave is a Whirlpool Gold model GMH5205XVB.
Either the wrong bulbs or just bad ones. The oven only gives it the 120 volts. It won't be the microwave oven. Just bad bulbs

Aug 01, 2013 | GE Profile Spacemaker 1.8 Cu. Ft....

1 Answer

I have replaced the bulbs underneath the microwave, but the lights are still not working.
HELLO.

This is the solution to the problem as detailed below.

instruments needed
* Appliance bulb
* Screwdriver.

Unplug the microwave. Remove the lamp cover by unscrewing the mounting screws. Turn the bulb to tightly screw it in. Then plug the microwave back in to test the light. If the bulb still will not illuminate, it is likely broken or defective. Replace it with another 20 to 40 watt appliance bulb.

Sep 24, 2011 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

1 Answer

Jvm2070sk02 interior light does not come on can the bulb be changed?
HELLO.

When you open the door on your microwave, it sends an electrical current to the halogen lightbulb mounted inside the microwave. The signal turns on the light and illuminates the inside of the microwave.
In addition, while cooking your food, the light illuminates so you can monitor the condition of your food while cooking. While the bulb generally lasts a long time, when it burns out, you must service your microwave.


1 Unplug the microwave from its electrical outlet. Never service an electrical appliance while it's plugged in.

2 Remove the screws that hold the outer shell onto the microwave chassis. Often the screws are on the bottom or back of the microwave. Use a Phillips screwdriver or Torx driver to remove the screws.

3 Lift the outer shell off the microwave chassis and locate the box that houses the halogen lightbulb. In most cases, the box is metal. It may or may not have a lid on it. If it has a lid, loosen the tabs and pull off the lid.

4 Unscrew the halogen bulb and replace it with a bulb rated at the exact same wattage.

5 Place the cover back onto the box if necessary and place the shell over the microwave chassis.

6 Secure the shell to the chassis with the original screws and the screwdriver or torx driver.

THANKS.
willing to help on more question.

Sep 06, 2011 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

1 Answer

Although I have changed the light bulbs, the lights that illuminate under the microwave onto the stove top will not work. This is a Kenmore over the stove Microwave Oven Model 721.80592402. Have their...
We see (and repair) this a lot. The problem is on the control panel, which we regularly repair nationwide by mail for $39.95 postpaid with a one-year guarantee.

At our Web site, you can get details of our service, plus we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

This light failure often occurs when a bulb goes out and the filament shorts, or when the bulbs are removed or installed without first unplugging the oven from the power line. Either can cause such a failure on the controller.

The lights can can be inoperable or stuck on or stuck in "night light" mode. Sometimes this will similarly affect the fan operation or inside light, too.

Sep 08, 2010 | Kenmore 80599 Microwave Oven

2 Answers

One surface light bulb on GE Profile microwave keeps burning out
I have the same problem. The left one burns out within a couple of hours use, the other one lasts a couple of months and is then gone. This pattern has repeated over 8 years. I replace them every now and then and then just go without until I get the urge again to fix it. Maybe smaller lower wattage lamps are worth trying...

Jun 06, 2009 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

1 Answer

40 watt night light bulbs constantly burn out short out.
Is they are left on all the time, this can reduce their life, and they are more susceptible to vibration.

Have you checked at home center or home improvement centers like Lowe's, Builder's Square or Home Depot?

You can order quality parts such as lamps by entering your full model number or part number WB36X10003 here.

Always be sure the microwave is unplugged or the breaker is off when installing or removing bulbs, and be sure the bulbs and and your hands are clean when installing them.

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

Feb 13, 2009 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

1 Answer

Light bulbs
fan may have a lot of vibration. or the MAGNETRON is kicking back a jolt. or your slamming the door too hard.

May 12, 2008 | GE JVM1660 Microwave Oven

1 Answer

New microwave problem
If it is new and under warranty, I would refer you to GE so they can fix it free. See the phone number in your owner's manual or at http://www.myapstore.com/Omega/Dispatcher?REQUEST=CONTACTUS

If it's not under warranty, below is info that should help you.

Manufacturers used to include access panels in the rear or side so you could easily change the bulb. That exposed the customer to 110V connectors, and that posed a real liability threat, so they stopped using them.

You now must generally remove the outer cover to replace the bulb.

In many over-the-range models, that can mean having to take the oven down from the wall! For safety's sake, that should be a two-person job and it's really helpful if you have your original installation instructions to do this.

For GE & Hotpoint models see http://tinyurl.com/gv383

Many models use one halogen lamp to illuminate the cooktop and another to illuminate the cavity. You must not touch them with your bare skin as the oils will shorten the bulb life.

Nov 24, 2007 | GE JES738 Microwave Oven

1 Answer

GE microwave interior light bulb replacement.
Manufacturers used to include access panels in the rear or side so you could easily change the bulb. That exposed the customer to 110V connectors, and that posed a real liability threat, so they stopped using them.

You now must generally remove the outer cover to replace the bulb.

In many over-the-range models, that can mean having to take the oven down from the wall! For safety's sake, that should be a two-person job and it's really helpful if you have your original installation instructions to do this.

Many models use one halogen lamp to illuminate the cooktop and another to illuminate the cavity. You must not touch them with your bare skin as the oils will shorten the bulb life.

You can find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383

Nov 19, 2007 | GE Advantium SCA1000H Convection /...

4 Answers

Magic Chef Over-Range Microwave Oven Model:MCO153UBF
The turn table and fan are connected in series with the bulb,as you have mentioned that you have replaced bulb,so please check again for any loose contact on bulb holder or bulb continuity again.

Aug 03, 2007 | Magic Chef CMV1000B Microwave Oven

Not finding what you are looking for?

View Most Popular

Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

  • Microwave Ovens

Related Question

The light bulb above the stove under the microwave hood keeps burning out. I have replaced the bulb twice in the last month. The microwave is a Whirlpool Gold model GMH5205XVB.

  • GE Profile Spacemaker 1.8 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave

Open Questions:

0 Answers

display reader short on circuit board

May 11, 2015 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

0 Answers

reuse jvm1540 bracket

Jul 12, 2014 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

0 Answers

purchase exaust fan motor over range

Jul 12, 2014 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

0 Answers

displaying power level may not be changed at this time

Jul 11, 2014 | GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven

See all GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven Questions

Related Topics

GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven Logo

4,681 people viewed this question

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Popular Questions

GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ...

GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ...

GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ...

GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ...

GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ...

Top GE Microwave Ovens Experts

Poppa Maddo
Poppa Maddo

Level 2 Expert

372 Answers

William Miller
William Miller

Level 3 Expert

9179 Answers

vince

Level 3 Expert

1234 Answers

Are you a GE Microwave Oven Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...