I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on what it
might be?

Thanks

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 12:46:18 -0400, "bones"
wrote:

I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on what it
might be?

Thanks


Magnetron! or HV supply.Get an engineer it's probably not an easy fix
for a non-qualified person[if that's you,if qualified then read Sams
instructions] If not qualified don't open it.Regards

Or an open door safety microswitch...


"Harry Collingwood" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 12:46:18 -0400, "bones"
wrote:

I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on what
it
might be?

Thanks


Magnetron! or HV supply.Get an engineer it's probably not an easy fix
for a non-qualified person[if that's you,if qualified then read Sams
instructions] If not qualified don't open it.Regards

"Bob Shuman" writes:

Or an open door safety microswitch...

Yes, it could indeed be something simple but microwave ovens ARE the MOST
DANGEROUS household appliance to work inside.

If you have no experience with high voltage electronics, leave it to a
professional. This is for your own safety.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Mirror: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Note: These links are hopefully temporary until we can sort out the excessive
traffic on Repairfaq.org.

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

"bones" wrote in message
...
I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on what it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if you
don't know what you're doing.

I had to send in the microwave because I didn't really know what I was
doing. The repair guy tested it with a meter plugged into wall while
microwave was plugged into it. He said it was drawing 4 amps so he said it
was probably a diode or capacitor. Since you suggested this does the 4 amp
senerio sound correct?


I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on what
it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if you
don't know what you're doing.

"bones" writes:

I had to send in the microwave because I didn't really know what I was
doing. The repair guy tested it with a meter plugged into wall while
microwave was plugged into it. He said it was drawing 4 amps so he said it
was probably a diode or capacitor. Since you suggested this does the 4 amp
senerio sound correct?

Possibly but less likely than a bad connection to the magnetron filament..

HV diodes and capacitors usually fail shorted, which would draw more current.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.


I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on what
it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if you
don't know what you're doing.

After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received, do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff


"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...
"bones" writes:

I had to send in the microwave because I didn't really know what I was
doing. The repair guy tested it with a meter plugged into wall while
microwave was plugged into it. He said it was drawing 4 amps so he said
it
was probably a diode or capacitor. Since you suggested this does the 4
amp
senerio sound correct?

Possibly but less likely than a bad connection to the magnetron filament..

HV diodes and capacitors usually fail shorted, which would draw more
current.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above
is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.


I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on
to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did
not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on
what
it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power
relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if
you
don't know what you're doing.

bones:
6 years later..... facing a $400 repair bill.... it is time to trash it.
(He's dead, Jim)
New, full feature Microwave ovens can be purchased for much less than the
proposed repair bill.... unless you are looking for some peculiar feature
or size that only is found on the high priced units .
Keep it simple and you can probably get a new one for a couple hundred
dollars or so... (Canadian)
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff


"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...
"bones" writes:

I had to send in the microwave because I didn't really know what I was
doing. The repair guy tested it with a meter plugged into wall while
microwave was plugged into it. He said it was drawing 4 amps so he
said
it
was probably a diode or capacitor. Since you suggested this does the 4
amp
senerio sound correct?

Possibly but less likely than a bad connection to the magnetron
filament..

HV diodes and capacitors usually fail shorted, which would draw more
current.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header
above
is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you
can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.


I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it
on
to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did
not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to
heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on
what
it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power
relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the
HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if
you
don't know what you're doing.

On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:54:13 -0400, "bones"
wrote:

After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received, do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff


Although I worked in a shop that repaired them, I never did a repair
myself, but...isn't a transformer failure a rarity, an oddity?

Tom


"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...
"bones" writes:

I had to send in the microwave because I didn't really know what I was
doing. The repair guy tested it with a meter plugged into wall while
microwave was plugged into it. He said it was drawing 4 amps so he said
it
was probably a diode or capacitor. Since you suggested this does the 4
amp
senerio sound correct?

Possibly but less likely than a bad connection to the magnetron filament..

HV diodes and capacitors usually fail shorted, which would draw more
current.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above
is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.


I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it on
to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did
not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on
what
it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power
relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if
you
don't know what you're doing.

But the diagnosis doesn't make sense either if what they mean is the
high voltage transformer.

The only likely failure of the HV transformer would result in a very high
current and probably a blown fuse. This would be due to shorted turns in
the primary or HV winding.

The original service guy tested the line current and said it was only drawing
4 A. That sounds like the input current to an unloaded HV transformer
4 A is consistent with the (partially saturating - normal) HV
transformer when not loaded. So, most likely cause is a bad filament
connection to the magnetron or a bad magnetron. The HV capacitor normally
fails shorted, as does the HV diode, though if it exploded, it would be
open.

And, the *ONLY* excuse to charge $400 for a transformer is that they simply
do not want to fix it! Go on eBay and you can probably pick one up for $10.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

"sofie" writes:

bones:
6 years later..... facing a $400 repair bill.... it is time to trash it.
(He's dead, Jim)
New, full feature Microwave ovens can be purchased for much less than the
proposed repair bill.... unless you are looking for some peculiar feature
or size that only is found on the high priced units .
Keep it simple and you can probably get a new one for a couple hundred
dollars or so... (Canadian)
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff


"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...
"bones" writes:

I had to send in the microwave because I didn't really know what I was
doing. The repair guy tested it with a meter plugged into wall while
microwave was plugged into it. He said it was drawing 4 amps so he
said
it
was probably a diode or capacitor. Since you suggested this does the 4
amp
senerio sound correct?

Possibly but less likely than a bad connection to the magnetron
filament..

HV diodes and capacitors usually fail shorted, which would draw more
current.

I have a "Figidaire Gallery" over the range microwave. I turned it
on
to
reheat food and I heard a click. The microwave still ran but it did
not
heat the food.

At this point, the appliance turns on but it does not kick in to
heat
anything up (tried every option and still the same). Any ideas on
what
it
might be?

Thanks



I've fixed a couple that had cracked solder connections at the power
relay
on the control board, could also be a bad diode or capacitor in the
HV
circuit but usually that blows the oven fuse.

*Read the repair FAQ BEFORE* you think about opening this thing up,
microwaves are relatively simple to work on but they can be lethal if
you
don't know what you're doing.

Tom MacIntyre writes:

On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:54:13 -0400, "bones"
wrote:

After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received, do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff


Although I worked in a shop that repaired them, I never did a repair
myself, but...isn't a transformer failure a rarity, an oddity?

Certainly not that common, but see my other posting. I doubt it's the
transformer.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff



That sounds unlikely, the only time I've *ever* seen a microwave transformer
fail was on an ancient Amana RadarRange and that was 20 years ago, the oven
started billowing putrid smoke.

"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...
Tom MacIntyre writes:

On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:54:13 -0400, "bones"
wrote:

After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I
received, do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff


Although I worked in a shop that repaired them, I never did a repair
myself, but...isn't a transformer failure a rarity, an oddity?

Certainly not that common, but see my other posting. I doubt it's the
transformer.


Well he did say it's the Sears shop, generally those guys are idiots, my
grandparents had a service contract with them for years, half the time they
couldn't even fix a dishwasher or clothes dryer on the first trip out, and
even so all they did was swap parts until the thing worked.

Thanks to all for the replies. I will question Sears and also let them know
that I've been told that this is a rarity.
And I will let you know what they say.

Jeff


"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:vMj%e.108$%p6.71@trnddc06...

"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff



That sounds unlikely, the only time I've *ever* seen a microwave
transformer
fail was on an ancient Amana RadarRange and that was 20 years ago, the
oven
started billowing putrid smoke.

"bones" wrote in message
...
Thanks to all for the replies. I will question Sears and also let them
know
that I've been told that this is a rarity.
And I will let you know what they say.

Jeff




The morons will probably just look at you like you just landed from outer
space.

They told me that it was the magnatron, is that the same as the transformer
and does that sound right that it is the magnatron?

Later

"bones" wrote in message
...
Thanks to all for the replies. I will question Sears and also let them
know that I've been told that this is a rarity.
And I will let you know what they say.

Jeff


"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:vMj%e.108$%p6.71@trnddc06...

"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff



That sounds unlikely, the only time I've *ever* seen a microwave
transformer
fail was on an ancient Amana RadarRange and that was 20 years ago, the
oven
started billowing putrid smoke.

"bones" writes:

They told me that it was the magnatron, is that the same as the transformer
and does that sound right that it is the magnatron?

No, they are totally different devices. Did they tell you it was the magnetron
after you complained that everyone else said the transformer was unlikely?

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

Later

"bones" wrote in message
...
Thanks to all for the replies. I will question Sears and also let them
know that I've been told that this is a rarity.
And I will let you know what they say.

Jeff


"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:vMj%e.108$%p6.71@trnddc06...

"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me $400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff

That sounds unlikely, the only time I've *ever* seen a microwave
transformer fail was on an ancient Amana RadarRange and that was
20 years ago, the oven started billowing putrid smoke.

I would tell them to give me my microwave back and I would be taking it
elsewhere to have it fixed. I think they are just trying to take your money
or trying to get you to buy a new microwave. $400 is just insane.

- Mike

"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message
...
"bones" writes:

They told me that it was the magnatron, is that the same as the
transformer
and does that sound right that it is the magnatron?

No, they are totally different devices. Did they tell you it was the
magnetron
after you complained that everyone else said the transformer was unlikely?


--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above
is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

Later

"bones" wrote in message
...
Thanks to all for the replies. I will question Sears and also let them
know that I've been told that this is a rarity.
And I will let you know what they say.

Jeff


"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:vMj%e.108$%p6.71@trnddc06...

"bones" wrote in message
...
After two weeks in the Sears repair shop, they finally looked at my
microwave and they told me that I need a new transformer. Going by
my
earlier postings regarding the problems and the replies that I
received,
do
you think that this sounds like a good diagnosis? It will cost me
$400
Canadian. I bought the microwave in '99 for $600 Can. If it is an
accurate
diagnosis do you think it would be worth to fix it at this price?

Thanks
Jeff

That sounds unlikely, the only time I've *ever* seen a microwave
transformer fail was on an ancient Amana RadarRange and that was
20 years ago, the oven started billowing putrid smoke.

"bones" wrote in message
...
They told me that it was the magnatron, is that the same as the
transformer
and does that sound right that it is the magnatron?



No, not remotely the same, did they even test it? It's pretty clear they
don't want to fix your oven, they've named the two most expensive
components, both of which are very easy to test. You're wasting your time
taking it to those idiots, isn't there another repair shop in town? Ideally
one that doesn't sell new appliances.