Ge 1800 microwave with a vibration coming from the top. it is not the turntable as the noise occurs with it on or off. it also is not the fan because with the fan on alone there is no noise. all functions work fine but for the noise. any ideas? the unit is several years old - is it worth fixing. thank you for any advice.

William Miller

• 9179 Answers
• Posted on Mar 02, 2009

SOURCE: GE XL 1800 microwave light and fan operate but no heat

With the symptoms you have, I would most strongly suspect a shorted high voltage rectifier diode or a bad magnetron, or a loose and possibly corroded connection on the magnetron's terminal.

The diode is a fairly cheap fix, and your magnetron is still under the part warranty, but you would have to pay labor.

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

There should be a "mini-manual" (tech sheet) hidden inside the unit behind the control panel or hidden on the left side behind the grille, which is very helpful when troubleshooting, testing, and locating components.



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.

Here are some links you or someone you know can use for test help, but read their safety warnings first:

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/diode.html
(if it's not shorted or burned, it's probably okay)

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/mag_test.html

If it's within the magnetron portion of the warranty (5-9 years) but out of the original full warranty (1 year), G.E. will cover the part cost, but not the cost to visit you or the labor charge to do the work.

If it's within the mag warranty, G.E. should send you the magnetron to do it yourself. Call them at 888-239-6832 with your model, serial, and manufacturing date.

If nothing else, you can save about $50-75 if you remove it from the wall and take it to a GE-authorized servicer.

You can find a GE-authorized servicer by calling GE Appliance Service at 1-800-848-7620 or here.

Accessing some components for testing and possible replacement will require you to remove the oven from the wall.

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 GE owner's manuals and installation instructions here.

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

SOURCE: I have a GE Spacemaker

If everything works, but the microwave oven does not heat, this is commonly caused by a failed magnetron. The magnetron is essentially, the heart of the oven. This is what produces the RF energy that heats your food.
Here's what you need to determine whether or not its worth fixing:
1. You will need to uninstall the oven from over the range in order to replace the part (you will need to do this anyway, if you decide to buy a replacement oven).
2. You will need to ensure the oven is UNPLUGGED before servicing anything inside the cabinet. You will need to remove the exterior case in order to access the magnetron. There are several websites that you can use that illustrate how the oven is assembled:
searspartsdirect.com pcappliancerepair.com appliancepartspros.com
If you've never repaired an appliance on your own before, a microwave oven is usually not a recommended appliance to start with. Some models can be rather involved in taking apart.
3, The magnetron replacement part number for the model you have listed is WB27X10305. The average cost is about $80. NOTE: I found the part listed for the best price at appliancepartspros.com at a cost of $76.
You need to decide whether or not $80 and the amount of labor involved is worth the effort as opposed to replacing the entire oven at a higher cost and less labor (other than the installation). Review the parts illustrations at the recommended websites to see if this is something that you may be able easily take apart and reassemble.
If you have any questions, please post back and let me know. I hope you find this information helpful
CAUTION: DO NOT operate a microwave oven with the exterior cover off. The voltage inside the High Voltage network where the magnetron is installed can exceed 3,000 volts.

Testimonial: "Hi jsrock516 - thanks for your expert information. I don't think this is something we can fix on our own and as you said probably cheaper to replace. "