"User132384" wrote in message
...
Hi,

The baking element on the bottom of my 1986 GE oven developed a
hole,
and was not heating up any more. So I removed the old element. Then, just
for
kicks, I decided to test the current between the 2 wires that had attached
to
the old element, to make sure it wasn't just a blown fuse. I used a test
light
that was apparently designed for much lower voltage / wattage/ whatever,
and
destroyed it instantly with a loud pop and bright flash of ligth when I
made
the connection. Yes, poster child for electrical safety.

The oven still works (except for the baking element). However, the red
light under the temp dial is now constantly on, unless I turn off the
breaker.
I reconnected the old element, and the red light still stays on. It is on
even
when every control is set to "OFF".



Sounds like you tried using a 12v electrical tester to measure 240v from the
oven. Once it struck an arc it's effectively a short circuit, sounds like
you caused the thermostat contacts to weld closed. You may be able to fix
them or you may have to replace the thermostat if a new one is available. If
it's electronic then there will be a relay of some sort controlling the
element. Often a schematic is taped inside the back.