This page includes the brands: Admiral to JCPenney Page 1 © 1998-2005 J. Carlton Gallawa All Rights Reserved Worldwide Last updated 1/2005

Instructions on How To Diagnose and Repair Microwave Ovens

1. After reading the safety precautions , find the brand and model number, or the number closest to the model you are repairing.
2. Find the symptom(s) that most closely match the symptom(s) being displayed by the oven you are repairing.
3. Follow the specific troubleshooting and/or repair instructions to complete the repair. Click on highlighted text for a detailed explanation of that procedure.
4. Since this database is constantly being updated and appended, if you don't find what your looking for, try again at a later time.
5. Click here    if you would like to be notified by e-mail when this page is updated. 

• The manufacturers' part numbers and prices listed here are subject to change without notice.
• The individual model numbers are not necessarily arranged in numerical order

We hope that you find the information here helpful.. .

  Important Safety Information

Disclaimer: The author assumes no liability for any incidental, consequential or other liability from the use of this information. All risks and damages, incidental or otherwise, arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein are entirely the responsibility of the user.  Although careful precaution has been taken in the preparation of this material, we assume no responsibility for omissions or errors.

© 1996-2005 J. Carlton Gallawa
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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MICROWAVE OVEN REPAIR CASE HISTORY DATABASE

AMANA 

Model: M84T

Symptom: Arcing in cooking area.

Problem: Accumulation of food and cooking debris beneath front cavity lip.

Solution: Thoroughly clean all debris and carbon build up from under cavity lip (use a tool such as a plastic knife to penetrate underneath the lip opening and clear out all burned-on debris. Then use light sand paper to sand away any carbon build up. Finally, install a cavity lip protector, Amana part # R0803571. Price: about $8.00

AMANA

Model: MC2000MPP (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: (1) Door hanging down. (2) Inner door molding cracked (3) Will not go into cook mode

Problem(s): (1) Door hinges (bushings) have worn prematurely, causing the (2) plastic inner door to strike the metal cavity wall when closing the door, and (3) producing a severe misalignment of the door latch mechanism.

Solution(s): (1) Install a hinge upgrade kit, Amana part # R0156889. Price: about $18.00 (2) Replace inner door assembly, Amana part # D7143803. Price: about $60.00 (3) Adjust primary interlock switch for proper actuation.

AMANA

Model: RC14S (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Certain pads will not respond.

Problem: Defective touch panel (switch panel).

Solution: Replace touch panel, Amana part # D7577807

AMANA

Model: RC14SE (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Manufacturing Number: P7688114M

Symptom: Smoking and burning odor during cook. Weak heat.

Problem: Although this appears to be a simple case of a shorted high voltage transformer, there is actually a culprit that might be quite unanticipated: A shorted high voltage capacitor, which is causing excessive current flow through the windings of the high voltage transformer, thereby causing the transformer to overheat and smoke.

Test: High Voltage Capacitor Test Procedure

Solution: Replace high voltage capacitor, Amana part # D85479-20. Price: about $11.00. If the high voltage transformer is damaged, it too must be replaced. Part # R0114320, list price: $77.38. The line fuse may also have be weakened, so it too should be replaced. Amana part # M0805201. Price: $4.50

AMANA

 

Models: RC16MP, RC17, RC17SD, RC20A, DQ22HS, RC22, RC22LW, RC22S, RC22MP, RC22MPS, MC22MP, MC22MPT, MC22MPT2, KFC1, RC27, WDYRC (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Error code: "S1" appears in display

Problem: Defective top or side touch panel (shorted)

Test: OBSERVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Unplug oven. Disconnect top touch panel ribbon connector from LV board. Operate oven for about a minute to see if "S1" reappears. If "S1" does not appear, replace top touch panel. If "S1" does reappear, reconnect ribbon connector and follow same procedure for side touch panel.

Solution: Replace appropriate touch panel

 

AMANA

 

Models: RC17 / RC22 (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Error code: "CS" appears in display

Problem: Current Sense error: Current sensing circuit detects low current (amperage) draw due to failure of one or more magnetron circuits.

Possible Causes: Failure of any one or more of the following components: HV board (see next step), HV diode (High Voltage Diode Test), HV capacitor (see next step), interlock switch (Interlock Switch Test), triac (Triac Test Procedure ), HV transformer (see next step), magnetron (Magnetron Test)

Tests: CAREFULLY OBSERVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Inspect foil side of HV board for burned tracks (foil) toward lower side of board. If burned, check HV capacitors (High Voltage Capacitor Test Procedure) and HV transformers (High Voltage Transformer Test) for a short. Otherwise test other components as outlined above.

Solution: Replace defective components as necessary. If applicable, repair foil trace on HV board.

 

AMANA

 

Models: RCS / RFS / HDC (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Error code: "F5" appears in display

Problem: Defective touch panel

Solution: Replace the touch panel

 

AMANA

 

Models: RCS / RFS / HDC (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Error codes: Any one of the following error codes appear in display: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6

Problem: Defective control board

Solution: Replace the control board

 

AMANA

 

Models: RCS / RFS / HDC (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Error code: "F5" appears in display

Problem: Defective touch panel

Solution: Replace the touch panel

 

AMANA

Model: RMC720 (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Electrical burning smell and no heat

Problem: Burned connection on upper interlock switch

Test: Interlock Switch Test

Solution: Replace interlock switch, part # R0852501. Price: $7.00. Repair burned connector(s) by either (1) replace burned slip-on connector(s), or (2) cut off burned connectors and solder the harness wires directly to the appropriate switch terminals.

AMANA

Model: RR-700 (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: In cook mode, oven only counts down--no blower, no heat

Problem: Control relay (24 VDC) not being energized due to defective relay-drive circuit on main control board

Test: Test the relay itself as follows: Observe important safety precautions . Remove harness wires from control relay coil terminals and test for a normal resistance of about 500 to 900 ohms.

Solution: Remove main control panel. Determine relay drive circuit components by tracing relay coil wires back to the circuit board. Test all relevant transistors. Replace defective transistor(s).

AMANA

Model: MC22MP (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Will not program

Problem: Extended memory board is defective

Test: Observe the horizontal dashes on the display. If the fifth dash to the right is above the rest, the extended memory board is normal. If the fifth dash is even with, or below the rest, the extended memory board is defective.

Solution: Replace the extended memory board, Amana part # 10936806. List price: $179.

AMANA

Model: M84TMA

Symptom: Oven will not "start"

Problem: Broken door latch

Solution: disassemble door and replace broken door latch (or door key). Amana part # R0805592 upper door key; R0805593 lower door key Price: about $0.58 each

AMANA

Model: RMC20CET6

Symptom: Blows the fuse and goes dead about 30 seconds after start of cook cycle.

Problem: Shorted high voltage transformer.

Test: High Voltage Transformer Test

Solution: Replace transformer. Amana part #.D7474103. Price: $143.53

AMANA

Model: RCS 720A (WARNING: FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS ONLY)

Symptom: Door must be pushed or jiggled before oven will cook.

Problem: Defective switch module.

Solution: Replace switch module, part # R0163218. Price: about $28.00

BETTY. CROCKER

Model: BC-1861

Symptom: Pressed "Start" and the clicked then went dead.

Problem: In-line fuse not secured in fuse holder.

Solution: Replace fuse and insure that it is securely inserted into holder. Fuse: $1.50

EMERSON

Model: AR501

Symptom: Popped and went dead during cook cycle

Problem: Shorted high voltage capacitor

Test: High voltage capacitor test procedure

Solution: Install new fuse, part # M0S0063; price, about $1.50. Replace HV capacitor (.65Mfd, 2000VAC), part # M0S0060. Price: about $17.00 wholesale.

EMERSON

Model: M3060

Symptom: Dead

Problem: Weakened fuse clips in the fuse receptacle causing fuse to melt due to resistive heat. Usually indicated by a bead of solder leaching out from either endcap and/or evidence of overheating (or burned spot) at the endcap, fuse clip, or terminal connection

Solution: Replace 15 amp fuse (about $1.00) and receptacle (about $2.00)

Additional Info: Generic fuse holders are available at appliance and electronic part suppliers.

FRIGIDAIRE

Model: MC-900M-2

Symptom: Went dead during cook

Problem: Weakened fuse clips on fuse receptacle causing fuse to melt due to resistive heat. Usually indicated by a bead of solder leaching out from either endcap and/or evidence of overheating (burned spot) at the terminal connection

Solution: Replace 15 amp fuse (about $1.00) and receptacle (about $2.00).

Additional Info: Generic fuse holders are available at appliance and electronic part suppliers.

FRIGIDAIRE

Model: RCM10J

Symptom: Heats unevenly

Problem: (1) After a period of years, the center of the grease shield begins to sag. This diminishes the air-swirling action that is required to rotate the antenna [which functions to evenly distribute the microwave energy]. (2) The foam-type air gasket material is deteriorated or missing. This gasket serves to channel air from the blower assembly into the antenna chamber where the air flow drives the rotating antenna.

Solution: (1) Replace grease shield, Amana part # D7544002, price about $19.00; and install new air gasket material. See Amana Air Gasket Replacement Procedure.

FRIGIDAIRE

Model: MC1355L-5

Symptom: Sparked out the back of the microwave.

Problem: Buildup of food debris causing high voltage arc-over from high voltage capacitor terminal to chassis ground.

Solution: Clean away debris, repair burned connections and dress high voltage wires away from metal edges.

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Parts Suppliers and Manufacturer Contacts You can contact these parts suppliers and microwave oven equipment manufacturers directly for replacement parts, product literature, dealer locations, technical assistance, etc. Please e-mail additions or corrections to: j.gallawa@cox.net Glossary of Electronic and Microwave Oven Related Terms  Submit your own repair tip j.gallawa@cox.net

	If you would like to learn more about repairing microwave ovens and become part of a multi-million dollar service industry, we invite you to take a look at Microtech's powerful new CD-ROM. You'll discover a virtual goldmine of trade secrets and have practical, illustrated step-by-step instructions on troubleshooting and servicing every microwave oven component.
THE COMPLETE MICROWAVE OVEN SERVICE HANDBOOK on CD-ROM 2005 Operation, Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair J. Carlton Gallawa