Actually its the plastic post that secures the bottom loop of the latch spring that is broken, making the spring useless. The plastic edge of the door is also cracked near the bottom. I can see the broken "post" lying in the bottem of the door's interior when I bend this piece of plastic out. Of course without the latch spring working, the microwave door does not activate the safety required to operate the microwave.
The Sears parts website is the only place I can find a basic schematic diagram to order parts to repair the door, but I cannot figure out how to get the door off the hinges or to disassemble the door so that I can replace the part that has broken inside.
Does anyone have a service manual or knowledge that can help me remove and repair the door componens?
Many thanks for your assistance!
You have to separate the door panels (as shown in the attached photo)
and then you'll see the previously hidden screws you need to remove.
Or you can watch a YouTube video (not a video I
made) that demonstrates how it's done.
In most cases, the spring mount on the inner door panel breaks off, and while the ideal way to fix it is to replace that whole panel, the time, cost and labor are considerable.
It's usually easier and cheaper and just as effective to use epoxy and some kind of hardware
to fashion a new spring mount.
Or if there is enough material to drill a hole for the spring, do that, install the spring, then add a dab of epoxy to cover the bottom loop of the spring where it goes through the hole you drilled.
Let the epoxy dry overnight before you close the door or use the oven.
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Usually answered in minutes!
This repair took me about 15 minutes and cost me nothing! I first used a putty knife to release the choke cover (the plastic door liner that faces the inside of the microwave). And yes, it only takes one putty knife to release the plastic tabs securing the choke cover as you work around its perimeter. The plastic tabs are engaged in square receiving holes on the metal inner door frame.
The plastic post that secured the bottom of the latch screen had broken off. Rather than rely on an epoxy bond to reattach this post, I opted to use a plastic gypsum board anchor (the type that you insert a screw in to secure in the wall). I slimmed one end loop of the latch spring around the plastic anchor and then firmly wedged into the square hole in the metal door frame beside the broken post location.
I then snipped off the plastic tab that used to be held in this square hole as there are others nearby to secure the choke panel. I then used a nearby BBQ skewer tip to lift the other end of the latch spring onto groove at the base of the latch assembly and pressed the choke cover back into position. There is a very satisfying snap as each plastic tab pops back in the square receiving hole!
Now I can warm my coffee and celebrate another appliance victory thanks to FIXYA!
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