GE Microwave Won't Heat
 

I have a 21 year-old GE microwave in a hi-lo range (model JHP60G002) that
has an intermittent problem. Everything seems OK, but it won't heat the
food. The blower runs, light comes on, and the keypad/display seems
normal.

The problem is also intermittent. It will work for weeks at a time, then
be broken for weeks at a time.

I tried reseating the two main connectors on the Power Module board
(WB27X5315 according to the GE parts web site), but that didn't help.
That board is still available. Do you think it's worth spending $85 to
replace that board? Exactly what does it do?

Is there anything else that could cause the problem? I asked a GE tech
about it while he was repairing something else in the range, and he
wasn't too helpful. I'm hoping someone here could be of more help.

Bob

"Bob Scheurle" wrote in message
I tried reseating the two main connectors on the Power Module board
(WB27X5315 according to the GE parts web site), but that didn't help.
That board is still available. Do you think it's worth spending $85 to
replace that board? Exactly what does it do?

You can buy a new mw for $42 with more features than what you have now. You
can buy an 1100 watt mw for $69. IMO, it is dumb to spend that much money
on very old technology when you can get newer, cheaper.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
t...

"Bob Scheurle" wrote in message
I tried reseating the two main connectors on the Power Module board
(WB27X5315 according to the GE parts web site), but that didn't help.
That board is still available. Do you think it's worth spending $85 to
replace that board? Exactly what does it do?

You can buy a new mw for $42 with more features than what you have now.
You can buy an 1100 watt mw for $69. IMO, it is dumb to spend that much
money on very old technology when you can get newer, cheaper.

Of the few I have fixed (and be very careful there is upwards of several
thousand volts that can kill you, let alone the microwave radiation that may
cause cancer etc.) have mostly been defective magnetrons. Personally if it
appears to go through the motions but does not heat up I doubt that the
board is the reason.
Other technicians may dispute but in my case the magnetron has been more
often the problem, than other internal components.
The cheapest 'used' magnetron I've been able to get hold of; there are
different sizes and types, they are not all similar, has been $35 to $50
dollars. New they cost as much or more than a new microwave; so the unit is
probably not worth repairing, especially with the risks involved to the
unwary.
Today, for example, saw a perfectly usable m.wave for 59.95 Canadian
(roughly $50 US), brand new in a hardware store. Most m.waves these days are
used intermittently for reheating etc. for a few minutes. Very few of the
features are really needed and most are rarely used!
used ones in good working condition typically fetch $15 to $30 at used
stores and are bought by students for their lodgings or dorms. While they
typically use one kilowatt of welectricity it is only for few minutes at a
time!
I would strongly recomend that since you are dealing with a 21 year old,
what is essentially a '500 to 1000 watt microve radio transmitter in a metal
box', don't work on it unless you are an electronically proficient
transmitter technician! Radios have been transmitting around the world on
far less power than that for the last almost 100 years! For comparison btw,
your cell phone probably puts about less than one watt! And even though it's
close to your head that won't kill or even burn you.
Do not stand near m.wave, or let children do so. especially if it's
operating out of the case, make sure the RF interlocks and that the metal
case refit perfectly afterwards. One of those little 'Radiation Testers' to
test for leakage around the door etc. is a good investment; about $15 at RS.
If you dump it cut the AC cord off for safety.
Retired technician.

On Sat, 27 Aug 2005 18:18:41 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
You can buy a new mw for $42 with more features than what you have now. You
can buy an 1100 watt mw for $69. IMO, it is dumb to spend that much money
on very old technology when you can get newer, cheaper.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. But it would be nice to be able to use
the microwave which is already there, built-in.

On Sat, 27 Aug 2005 21:23:19 -0230, "Terry"
wrote:
Of the few I have fixed (and be very careful there is upwards of several
thousand volts that can kill you, let alone the microwave radiation that may
cause cancer etc.) have mostly been defective magnetrons. Personally if it
appears to go through the motions but does not heat up I doubt that the
board is the reason.

I don't think it's the magnetron, as it works for weeks or even months at
a time. For example, it's been working for the past year.

your cell phone probably puts about less than one watt!

0.2 W for CDMA, 0.6 W for analog. But they operate on entirely different
frequencies, so you really can't make meaningful comparisons of the power
levels.