OT microwave

cb

Member
I have always been told that there is no way to repair a microwave oven.we have one that apparently shorted out.. sparks will fly when turned on.i it think comes from the heating element in the top of the oven. anybody with any ideas. thanks
 
Inside the cooking area of the unit, take a close look at the area that is sparking.

Likely, it is a plastic or fish paper cover on the cooking chamber end of the microwave waveguide that directs the microwaves in the oven cavity.

If a chunk of food gets spattered on it and gets hot and chars the material to carbon, sparks will fly from that area when the oven is turned on.

The simple fix is to scrape all the blackened area off, or cut it away.

Be careful and don"t open the electrical compartment, unless you know about safely discharging capacitors and working on high-voltage components.

Take a look and post back with what you find.
 
thanks , I will take a look at the area your talking about, also new ones are getting cheaper all the time. but I hate when things break and no way to repair/or cost more to repair than the cost of a new one.i have several cordless drills, bad gears etc, not worth the cost to repair..
 
Now-a-days there are many good new counter top microwave ovens available for less then $100.
 
You can repair them, but the cost of replacement parts usually is much more than the cost of a replacement unit.
 
I have repaired more then one but now days the cost to do so make them throw away things. Figure by the time you put the time in and then buy the parts you have more in it then going to Wal-Mart and buying a new one if the parts can even be found. I have one that I tried to buy a light bulb for and they no long have them for it
 
The one at church threw out some sparks (so I was told). I took it apart and most of the electronic components were toast; I was surprised that whoever used it didn't burn down the church.

Buy a new one.
 
thanks for the replies, to mr. bob, the spark comes from the opening on the end of oven, it seems to have a metal covering over it about 3-4 inches wide . it is not dirty, I cleaned it anyway still sparks
 
Is the opening where the sparks are in the outside shell of the unit... (likely a cooling air vent) or INSIDE the cooking cavity?

Outside would NOT be good!
 
inside this is a GE and the opening where the sparks come from is on the right end [facing the unit] it is covered by a flat no holes medal cover. the left end also has a opening that is covered with metal cover that has holes like a heavy screen.. it has been a good one, purchased in 2005 for $106.00 at lowes it is a 2.0 cu ft.
 
cd,
Good brand name microwaves are around $100 at wal-mart.

I'd buy a new one, scrape the old one out. Save the power cord, all the wire inside and controls. Some had a good 110v relay. The small fans are good to keep too.
George
 
Inside microwaves is a large high capacity capacitor that stores line voltage. A retired electrician was repairing a microwave at some 80 years old plus and discharged it into himself, killing him. This happened in Ypsilanti, MI a few years ago. BE CAREFUL!!
 
So far it has cost about $1 a month. I doubt that repairing it will give you a better bargain than buying a new one. Pass on the three year extended warranty.
 
thanks again for the replies.. yes I am being careful. I plan to call GE tomorrow and if nothing comes from that,i will go ahead and buy a new one have a good nite
 
Before you toss it dig into it and take the magnetron out. It has a couple of super strong magnets. But be sure to discharge the big capacitor before you do anything.
 
My wife's GE was throwing sparks from the same area that you mentioned. Also making an angry sound - rather alarming - I took off the little cover and gave it and the area around the cover a severe cleaning and we got several more years out of it. The turntable finally quit and we got a new one, but the sparks/noise issue never returned. She never programs it to come on when we're not around, so someone is always here to turn it off if it malfuncts. I'm not recommending that you fool with the innards of your microwave, because it sounds like you know about as much about one as I do, which is nearly nothing, ha.
 
well thanks for the compliment.. you are very correct, I know hardly anything about it except to turn on and off. I can pop corn and warm food. I sometimes warm it too much. I called GE this am, they said go buy another one. have a good day
 

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