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I recently repaired my microwave at home and had to discharge the capacitor. First time it had been sitting a few days and it barely threw a spark. Second time, I had just unplugged it. Hit it with the screwdriver and BANG!, it scared the crap out of me! Sounded like a firecracker going off. Next few times weren't so bad, as I had a better idea what to expect, but I can assure you the the instructions to discharge that capacitor are not just there for legalese. It'll bite you severely. My case was the opposite of yours, it worked TOO good. Anytime you shut the door, the magnetron fired up... you could hear it humming and it would heat a cup of water. I found a few online websites on microwave repair through Google that got me through the repair, I suggest you do the same. I wouldn't hesitate to work on a waver again and I consider myself electrically retarded. Just take the proper precautions and don't fire it up without ALL the covers and shields re-installed so you don't get cooked. In my case, the replacement part was available at the local electronics supply and cost me about $15. Sure beats $100 for a new oven, and you can't buy them like this anymore. I call it the "Monsterwave". It's an old Litton with a cooking cavity big enough to put one of the new wavers into. It'll hold a 20lb turkey with room to spare. Date stamped inside was Dec 14, 1977. Mom got it new, gave it to me 10yrs ago, and it still gets used almost daily. This is the second repair, first was a blown fuse like yours. That and lightbulb replacements are all it has needed in closing on 30yrs.
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