"kmdguy" writes:

Hi there,

I've a Whirlpool Microwave (model MH1150XMQ-1). It is 1.5 years old.

Recently the cooktop light bulb quit working and I simply thought it
had burned out and went out and replaced it. The new bulb did nothing.
Hmmmm. So I opened up the underside panel to check the socket for any
problems. Using my circuit tester I determined that there was no power
coming through the wires to the cooktop light socket. I plugged the
socket into the wires that go to power the turntable and the socket
indeed works fine (of course only when the microwave is engaged). So,
I'm not getting any juice through the wires that clip to the cooktop
light socket.

I'm not sure how to open the unit up any further to check to see if
something is visibly amiss with the board that feeds to the socket.

This unit costs about $150-$170. Is this a problem worth fixing or is
it something I can possibly fix on my own? Any input is appreciated.

It can't be anything major but as someone else noted, microwave ovens
are potentially lethal appliances to go inside due to the extremely
high voltage and current available.

Having said that, if the thing is unplugged for awhile and certain
precautions are taken (discharging the high voltage capacitor if that
is accessible when checking the light wiring), the problem can probably
be found with just a multimeter or by inspection. It may just be a
blown fuse.

You didn't say whether the original light bulb was actually still good.
That would halp narrow the diagnosis.

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