I had the same problem, but seem to have fixed it last week. Thank goodness, because with 2 little kids, I really need the microwave.
My January '05 model JVM1653 would intermittently have a flickering display then reset itself after about 3 seconds into a full power heating cycle (it was still ok on reduced power). I don't know what the problem was for sure, but protecting the front panel circuit board from radiation seemed to do the trick.
I put a sheet of aluminum foil in a ziplok bag (I used the gallon size, but the 1 qt size would probably do just fine), taped a "twistum" tie with the plastic stripped off the ends of the wire to one corner of the aluminum sheet, and then sealed up the bag and put a piece of tape on the corner of the bag where the wire was hanging out. With the front panel tilted out, I attached the other bare end of the tie to the green ground wire screw. I then "stuffed the ziploc into the open behind the panel while trying to keep the circuit board as shielded as possible. I carefully closed up the front panel, making sure i didn't get the ziplok punctured by the circuit board stuff.
So far so good!!!
I just taped in a static bag and that solved it immediately! Great advice, and cheap too! It only takes 3 screws to open the control panel. First take off the top front plastic grill, then the 1 ***** above the screen. slide the screen panel upward and it will hinge open. You can see the magnetron behind the fan inside. No wonder the radiation is messing up the circuit board. I can't believe they didn't shield it already!
I only wonder how much of that radiation is leaking out into my head. I guess when my brain starts heating up it's time to get a new microwave!
Got our unit back from the repair center a couple days ago. I spoke with one of the repairmen who told me this microwave made in Korea is used by several different companies and that he hasn't heard of it having any major problems. He said GE is replacing the magnatron with a different one that fixes the problem we're all having. He said all magnatrons leak RF. We're just happy to get our microwave back and it cost us $50...much cheaper than the $185 a certified GE repairman was going to charge us.
I'd recommend having GE send you the magnatron and diode and take it to a repairman yourself.
Good luck all.
Same problem here with the same GE Spacemaker microwave. Mine's been out since 12/06/07. GE shipped me a new magnatron and diode. The problem is the GE serviceman wanted to charge $185 to repair...HA. I took it today to another repair shop who is suppose to repair it for $50. I'll try to call them tomorrow to tell them to place this film in there while they are repairing it.
My experience with GE like you guys has been horrible. The GE cares number is a joke. The GE consumer affairs number 800-386-1215 is just as much a joke.
Never again will my money go to GE. I've searched for a good microwave and it seems they're all junk these days...good ole crap from China. It's sad our country's businesses have become such a sell out.
Good luck guys.
I had the same problem on my GE microwave. I installed some static paper and it seems to have fixed the problem. Thanks for the tip
Same problem solved using the static film that computer parts are shipped in..sort silver like..there is rf leakage from the magnetron and by creating a barrier between the circuit board and the mag, you eliminate the problem...local computer repair shops,often have these laying around(static film sleeves) works like a charm.cut to fit and you are ready to go,
Regarding attaching the static film to the circuit board..any non conductive tape will do....there is an expected life span of about one year for using the static paper..One sheet of it will cover several years so it no big problem..
Regarding fixing the static film to the circuit board...you can lay it in there or attach with any non conductive tape...also the fix will last about a year,but i had plenty of film left over for future applications..I installed the film over a month ago and all is well...
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Magnatron thermostst defective .
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Is a magnatron thermostat easy to replace, or do I need to call a serviceman?
When I finally got a "live" person on the GE service line after going through a ton of prompts, they could only tell me there was a problem with the control panel and a service call would be $89 which would be credited back to the labor and part cost. No estimate of final cost.
Thanks much--the answer was a great help.
Intermittent power outages. Cooks for a couple seconds, stops, then have to reset clock and date.
microwave shuts off and clock must be reset to resume cooking. Sometimes it cannot be reset and you must wait until it displays message to set clock. Now it does not turn on or display message at all. Only 16 months old. GE customer relations representative said,"Oh well. Some appliances fail sooner rather than later." My next appliance will NOT be a GE. What lousy concern for a reliable product for supposedly valued customers.
I think GE knows this is a defective product - this model JVM1650 is no longer being made. By the time a recall is announced - consumers will have long ago replaced their microwave with something else.
Your suggestion worked!!
I don't have the film yet, but I placed a small plastic cutting board behind the control panel and started the microwave. It didn't stop cooking.
Is there any special way to attach the film? I want to be safe & not creat any other problems.
Thanks again.
Same problem, cooks for a couple of seconds and then shuts down, reset clock & date, etc. Like the earlier comment, how do you attach the film to safely solve the problem?
I have yet to find the static guard film & have been to 3 shipping stores and called a couple of computer stores. One had a plactic bag that said static guard, but it wasn't the silver lined one and didn't work. I still have the plastic cutting board sitting behind the control board but can't close the control panel.
Any other thoughts as to where I can find the static guard sleeve or film?
Thanks much.
I am having the same problem! Our Adora GE microwave will interminttently shut off after 2 seconds and respond with the message to reset the clock. Sometimes it lets us reset and other times I have tried unplugging it (which works). I hate the idea of having to take it apart ourself.
ge spacemaker cooks for 2 seconds and loses power. must reset clock and then the same thing happens over and over.
I have this same problem with my microwave, same model. How do I put this film or plastic to correct this. I have five children so you know I need the microwave.
Same exact problem. I'm wondering about this film you're putting behind
the control panel. Can you explain in more detail??? This is very
frustrating and we are about ready to scrap and buy new microwave. This
GE is only a couple of years old and has been shutting down for most of
the time.
Thanks for any info
mgwarr
I had the same problem, but seem to have fixed it last week. Thank goodness, because with 2 little kids, I really need the microwave.
My January '05 model JVM1653 would intermittently have a flickering display then reset itself after about 3 seconds into a full power heating cycle (it was still ok on reduced power). I don't know what the problem was for sure, but protecting the front panel circuit board from radiation seemed to do the trick.
I put a sheet of aluminum foil in a ziplok bag (I used the gallon size, but the 1 qt size would probably do just fine), taped a "twistum" tie with the plastic stripped off the ends of the wire to one corner of the aluminum sheet, and then sealed up the bag and put a piece of tape on the corner of the bag where the wire was hanging out. With the front panel tilted out, I attached the other bare end of the tie to the green ground wire screw. I then "stuffed the ziploc into the open behind the panel while trying to keep the circuit board as shielded as possible. I carefully closed up the front panel, making sure i didn't get the ziplok punctured by the circuit board stuff.
So far so good!!!
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