I know this is not Fine Hombuilding related, but if anyone has any pointers, I’d greatly appreciate it.
I have an over the range microwave oven that provides every appearance and sound that it is working properly, except it does not heat up anything any longer. It is a Maytag appliance that is less then 3 years old.
All the functions, vent, lights, timer, clock and programming of the microwave all appear to work like normal. When programing the microwave to heat something up, (whether at 100% power or set at lower power settings) I can hear the transformer/magnetron tubes cycle on and off as it normally does when heating food, except still nothing heats. Just recently we had a couple of power outages in quick succession, yet we did use it after the power outages. Other then that, we can not think of anything we did that could have caused this.
Before I call a repair person, I am hoping there is a kind soul here that knows what this sort of malfunction is, whether it is worth fixing, and if so how. The model number is MMV1153AAW.
I greatly appreciate any comments/suggestions anyone can offer.
Thanks,
Tark
Replies
I think it's something called a magnatron.
FWIW mine did the same thing & GE repaired it under warranty after 3 (?) years and provided an addl warrnaty with the replacement part.
There are fuses inside, and occasonally one can be blown because someone erroneously "cooks" something metal in the unit. Otherwise, it's likely too expensive to merit fixing vs replacing.
You'll probably save a chunk of money if you remove the unit yourself and carry it in, vs having someone make a housecall.
Of course, check your warranty before you give up on the unit.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
If you do pitch the unit, take the magnetron tube out and diassemble it. Magnetron tubes have some fantastically strong magnets in them. Fun to play with, might find a use for them sometime as well.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it, just open it up to see how it works!
I called Maytag. For $69.95, I'll get to find out what's ailing it tomorrow morning. It might be covered under a limited warranty, so I guess I'll have to wait and see. I'm hoping its some internal fuse that's easily replaced.thanks for the input.
We're all very nosey here so post whats wrong with it!
Good luck dealing with Maytag. Better bring some lube...
would you be telling him to put his pants on backwards???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
telling him to put his pants on backwards???
Might be simpler to let him study Mr T, the better to transcend the need for pants . . .
But I may have heard one too many horror stories about the hood-mw combos, too.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Maytag has someone coming out tomorrow. They believe its the magnetron (sp?), which might be covered under warranty. I'll post again after they get done.
Well, I used to be the Maytag repairman but that was a few years ago though. If it was the fuse nothing would work. A micro wave system consists of two separate circuits, a control circuit and the high voltage one. If in fact the noise you hear really is the magnetron then the control circuit works which is good because there are lots of things in the control circuit. There are only a couple of things worth fixing in a microwave and the one in the high voltage circuit which I replaced a lot is a name that escapes me. It is black or dark gray and is about 5/16 square and about 2 inches long with a wire,at one end, I believe coming from the capacitor and the wire at the other end goes to a ground screw. You test it with an ohm meter. You get a reading one way but when you switch leads you don't get a reading. That's good. If you get a reading both ways it's bad. Very easy to replace. Made good money changin those.
roger
The appliance repair people came. It is the magnetron (sp?)
The part is covered under warranty, but labor is out of my own pocket. They are ordering the part will install next week. I will be close to $200. when all is said and done.
That's why I stick with the countertop models.You coulda bought a new one for 89 dollars.
I'm gonna grow me some wings. And I'll learn how to fly !
Yeah, but your kitchen will never be in Find Homebuilding that way.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
I have a client that is putting in a $150 countertop microwave in a medium to high end kitchen. We are putting it in the cabinets with a trim kit over the wall oven / warming drawer stack. $1500 to $2000 for a true built in microwave with 8 to 10 years expected life
or
$150 plus $100 trim kit for built in microwave with same lifeTrim kit should look fairly good
How will I live with the shame ?;o)
I'm gonna grow me some wings. And I'll learn how to fly !
You can redeem yourself by using a couple of the shag-carpet covered swag light fixtures my wife was showing me in a kitchen mag. Right out of the 60s.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
The kitchen just does not have enough counter top for the size of microwave my wife needs. So we got the over-the-range model. Interesting how much we miss it now that its not working. Next week can't come fast enough.