I have the same latch problem that you really thoroughly described the problem and resources back in 2006.  It was in KCMS145J 1100 Watts Microwave Oven >Troubleshooting My problem is that I have removed the part you refer to as #7 the Release Latch it doesn't seem to be broken but still doesn't logically and securely go into place to do the job. Am I missing something? A small part that would better secure that part in place. I am pretty good about figuring things out but this real tricky. Thanks in advance for your response. CC email: [email protected]

I have the same problem that I fixed today also using super-glue. After studying the problem a little more, I concluded that this high-impact grey molding that contains this little grey latch extension piece was poorly designed.

There is a little grey latch piece that is a part of the one-piece high impact plastic control panel (Part # AP3859379 for Stainless) that holds the white lever release in place. The white lever release is attached to 2 latch exensions on both sides of the lever via an axel.

When you close your door, a hook on the door applies a very strong force on the white lever release, which transfers this energy to the axel, which puts a force on this little latch extension on the plastic control panel. Over time, it puts great strain on this piece and it WILL break. The grey latch for the axel is very thin and flimsy and its a breakage that is just waiting to happen. We've had our microwave for about 5 - 6 years, so I'm actually surprised it lasted that long.

Here's some additional information for owners of the KCMS145J KitchenAid microwave. There will be other people reporting this problem in the future as this part of the door latching/opening mechanism is pretty flimsy construction.

1) The first frustrating thing was getting the top lid off the microwave unit due to the use of special security screws that I believe were intentionally put on there to discourage average users from messing with the unit. At first glance they look like allen-wrench type screws but on closer examination, the screws have a little pin in the center of the hole that requires a special tool. Home Depot and Lowe's did not carry this tool. I had to go to Harbor Freight to buy it. Its a cheap tool, but hard to find. You will need a Torx Wrench (T20 x 100mm) in order to unscrew the 4 or 5 screws that hold the top lid of the microwave on the unit. Its also easily available on the Internet.

2) Be careful not to touch the Magnetron or the other parts of the microwave once you have the hood off. In order to pull the control board aff the unit, you unscrew one screw on the top of the control board and carefully unplug the 3 electrical connectors that are hooked into the circuit board. After that, the control board comes right out.

You can either 1) super-glue the broken off extension piece that holds the white lever release axel in place (and hope for the best) or 2) order a completely control board. On 1/1/2009, athttp://www.appliancepartspros.com/partse... the price for this part was around $60 for the stainless steel model. Unfortunately, the piece is a one-piece unit that also contains the veneer for the external side and for the stainless steel model that we have, its pretty pricey. They don't sell the cheap grey high-iimpact plastic mount part (which is what I really need) separate from the veneer, so a $5 part is now $60 - grrrrrrrr.

I have the same problem that I fixed today also using super-glue. After studying the problem a little more, I concluded that this high-impact grey molding that contains this little grey latch extension piece was poorly designed.

There is a little grey latch piece that is a part of the one-piece high impact plastic control panel (Part # AP3859379 for Stainless) that holds the white lever release in place. The white lever release is attached to 2 latch exensions on both sides of the lever via an axel.

When you close your door, a hook on the door applies a very strong force on the white lever release, which transfers this energy to the axel, which puts a force on this little latch extension on the plastic control panel. Over time, it puts great strain on this piece and it WILL break. The grey latch for the axel is very thin and flimsy and its a breakage that is just waiting to happen. We've had our microwave for about 5 - 6 years, so I'm actually surprised it lasted that long.

Here's some additional information for owners of the KCMS145J KitchenAid microwave. There will be other people reporting this problem in the future as this part of the door latching/opening mechanism is pretty flimsy construction.

1) The first frustrating thing was getting the top lid off the microwave unit due to the use of special security screws that I believe were intentionally put on there to discourage average users from messing with the unit. At first glance they look like allen-wrench type screws but on closer examination, the screws have a little pin in the center of the hole that requires a special tool. Home Depot and Lowe's did not carry this tool. I had to go to Harbor Freight to buy it. Its a cheap tool, but hard to find. You will need a Torx Wrench (T20 x 100mm) in order to unscrew the 4 or 5 screws that hold the top lid of the microwave on the unit. Its also easily available on the Internet.

2) Be careful not to touch the Magnetron or the other parts of the microwave once you have the hood off. In order to pull the control board aff the unit, you unscrew one screw on the top of the control board and carefully unplug the 3 electrical connectors that are hooked into the circuit board. After that, the control board comes right out.

You can either 1) super-glue the broken off extension piece that holds the white lever release axel in place (and hope for the best) or 2) order a completely control board. On 1/1/2009, at http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=261610 the price for this part was around $60 for the stainless steel model. Unfortunately, the piece is a one-piece unit that also contains the veneer for the external side and for the stainless steel model that we have, its pretty pricey. They don't sell the cheap grey high-iimpact plastic mount part (which is what I really need) separate from the veneer, so a $5 part is now $60 - grrrrrrrr.

I would not suggest modifying the unit if that's what you mean when you mention a "small part that would better secure that part in place".

If you could provide a link to the specific problem & solution you're referring to it would be more helpful than a link to a section page as above.

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

Latch parts can be worn - such as the prongs on the door open button or the face of the latch lever - and this can lead to their failure to open the door.

Once we have a better idea of your exact problem, we'll probably be able to help better.


I would not suggest modifying the unit if that's what you mean when you mention a "small part that would better secure that part in place".

If you could provide a link to the specific problem & solution you're referring to it would be more helpful than a link to a section page as above.

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

Latch parts can be worn - such as the prongs on the door open button or the face of the latch lever - and this can lead to their failure to open the door.

Once we have a better idea of your exact problem, we'll probably be able to help better.