My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
bottom.

The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace the
bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.

Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.

Ed Chait

it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I have a sharp that has a bulb working only part of the time, it too
seems to need the case removed to get to the bulb. What are the mfgrs
thinking? Mine has a cover to get at the microwave element which I have
no business messing with, but no way to change or even tighten the
bulb. I have the special tools to get inside, & will when it gets
annoying enough. The torx bits with the hole in the center are sold.

Ed Chait wrote:
My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one
of double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven
on the bottom.

The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to
try to replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way
to replace the bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.

Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe
that someone would design something like that, but in doing some
Internet research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers
designt them like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an
expensive service call.
I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.

Ed Chait

Hopefully someone saved the manual. It likely will have the
instructions to replace the lamp. Maybe not.

BTW That is a nice looking appliance. I just don't like those combined
units since when one side has problems or is outmoded by new technology,
replacing it becomes a real problem.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

Eric in North TX wrote:
it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I have a sharp that has a bulb working only part of the time, it too
seems to need the case removed to get to the bulb. What are the mfgrs
thinking? Mine has a cover to get at the microwave element which I have
no business messing with, but no way to change or even tighten the
bulb. I have the special tools to get inside, & will when it gets
annoying enough. The torx bits with the hole in the center are sold.
..
Be very careful; if you do have to take unit apart and then reassemble
it.
You are dealing with a microwave a radio transmitter emitting 500 or
more watts inside a metal box.
Lethal voltages AND the possibility of electromagnetic radiation, so be
careful. A microwave may appear to work OK but may be leaking around
the edges!
Particularly make sure that the edges of the cover around front panel
etc. are properly meshed and reassembled as designed to prevent that
leakage. This is important.
Possibly that is why they are made so as to be tricky to replace lamps;
although one would think lamps should be easily replaced inside the
oven with the door open to make sure power is off.
If uncertain how to proceed it requires a good electronic tech. with
possibly some experience with radio transmitters. Working voltages can
reach/exceed 5000 volts.

On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:29:49 GMT, "Ed Chait"
wrote:

:My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
:double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
:bottom.
:
:The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
:replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace the
:bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.
:
:Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
:someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
:research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
:like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.
:
:I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
:
:Ed Chait

Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there
wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook -
EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation.
Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my
experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate
them.

Dan

Dan_Musicant wrote:
On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:29:49 GMT, "Ed Chait"
wrote:

:My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
:double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
:bottom.
:
:The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
:replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace the
:bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.
:
:Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
:someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
:research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
:like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.
:
:I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
:
:Ed Chait

Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there
wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook -
EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation.
Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my
experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate
them.

Dan

Quick way to check for radiation lek is to use a flourescent bulb and
move it closely around the microwave. It will glow if there is any kind
of leak.

On 3 Jan 2007 14:11:28 -0800, "JLagg" wrote:

: Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
: I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
: when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there
: wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook -
: EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation.
: Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my
: experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate
: them.
:
: Dan
:
:Quick way to check for radiation lek is to use a flourescent bulb and
:move it closely around the microwave. It will glow if there is any kind
f leak.
For real? This works?? Thanks!

Dan

PS It would probably work with a compact flourescent bulb too, I
imagine.

Crazy idea, but, um, have you called or emailed Whirlpool?


Ed Chait wrote:
My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
bottom.

The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace the
bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.

Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.

Ed Chait

Dan_Musicant wrote:
On 3 Jan 2007 14:11:28 -0800, "JLagg" wrote:

: Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
: I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
: when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there
: wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook -
: EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation.
: Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my
: experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate
: them.
:
: Dan
:
:Quick way to check for radiation lek is to use a flourescent bulb and
:move it closely around the microwave. It will glow if there is any kind
f leak.
For real? This works?? Thanks!

Dan

PS It would probably work with a compact flourescent bulb too, I
imagine.

My brother showed me that one. Yes it works. Didn't believe it till I
saw it. And he did have to buy a new microwave as that one was just
plain worn out. Lot of tv dinners went thru that thing LOL

"Dan_Musicant" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:29:49 GMT, "Ed Chait"
wrote:

:My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
:double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
:bottom.
:
:The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
:replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace
the
:bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.
:
:Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
:someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
:research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
:like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.
:
:I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
:
:Ed Chait

Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there
wasting juice. Plus, it doesn't make sense to watch the food cook -
EMF's and that sort of thing... also possible escaping MW radiation.
Besides, you can't see too well through the mesh in the doors, is my
experience. Maybe you can talk her into not missing the light. I hate
them.

Dan

Yeah, I suggested that she just do without the light and she is fine with
that idea.

thanks,

Ed Chait

wrote in message
ups.com...
Crazy idea, but, um, have you called or emailed Whirlpool?


Ed Chait wrote:
My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
bottom.

The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace
the
bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.

Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.

Ed Chait


My mom called Whirlpool and spoke to someone who was clueless about the
procedure for bulb replacement.

The manual for that oven does not address the issue at all.

Makes me think that indeed you have to spend a lot of money for a service
call to simply replace a bulb.

I suggested to my mom that she call back and demand to speak to someone
higher up in the management chain.

Ed Chait

On 3 Jan 2007 20:42:22 -0800, "JLagg" wrote:

: PS It would probably work with a compact flourescent bulb too, I
: imagine.
:
:My brother showed me that one. Yes it works. Didn't believe it till I
:saw it. And he did have to buy a new microwave as that one was just
lain worn out. Lot of tv dinners went thru that thing LOL

I ran a compact flourescent around the door flange of my MW today and it
didn't glimmer. When I put it inside, though, it glowed very brightly!

On 1 Jan 2007 11:37:26 -0800, "terry"
wrote:


Eric in North TX wrote:
it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I have a sharp that has a bulb working only part of the time, it too
seems to need the case removed to get to the bulb. What are the mfgrs
thinking? Mine has a cover to get at the microwave element which I have
no business messing with, but no way to change or even tighten the
bulb. I have the special tools to get inside, & will when it gets
annoying enough. The torx bits with the hole in the center are sold.
.
Be very careful; if you do have to take unit apart and then reassemble
it.
You are dealing with a microwave a radio transmitter emitting 500 or
more watts inside a metal box.
Lethal voltages AND the possibility of electromagnetic radiation, so be
careful. A microwave may appear to work OK but may be leaking around
the edges!
Particularly make sure that the edges of the cover around front panel
etc. are properly meshed and reassembled as designed to prevent that
leakage. This is important.
Possibly that is why they are made so as to be tricky to replace lamps;
although one would think lamps should be easily replaced inside the
oven with the door open to make sure power is off.

It's not that. It's that if the person didn't put the cover on just
right, or omitted it which undoubtedly some woudl do, the microwaves
would escape from the cooking chamber and go everywhere. This is very
dangerous.

AIUI, microwaves will heat every water based liquid in sight. This is
especially dangerous to the aqueous and vitreos humor in one's eyes.
IOW, the things that fill our eyeballs.

BTW, today I tried to give a like-new baby carrrier/carseat to
Goodwill and the Salvation Army and a third local charitable thrift
shop, and none would take it. One guy explained that they would be
sued if one caused an injury. I have a mailing list where I can give
it away.

If uncertain how to proceed it requires a good electronic tech. with
possibly some experience with radio transmitters. Working voltages can
reach/exceed 5000 volts.

No, no. Take off the trim, which is probably designed to be removed,
remove the box, take the sheet metal cover off the badk and replace
the bulb. To reassemble, reverse. Don't attempt to open the walls of
the cooking chamber.

Yeah, because it doesn't appear to be that old of unit. Talk to a
manager of some sort.


Ed Chait wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...
Crazy idea, but, um, have you called or emailed Whirlpool?


Ed Chait wrote:
My mom has a Whirlpool GMC275PD built-in microwave oven. This is one of
double built-ins with a microwave on top and a conventional oven on the
bottom.

The light on the microwave recently burned out and she asked me to try to
replace it. After looking at it, it seems as if the only way to replace
the
bulb is to remove the unit completely from the wall.

Could this be the case with this model? I find it hard to believe that
someone would design something like that, but in doing some Internet
research on the issue, it seems as if several manufacturers designt them
like that. Simply replacing the bulb requires an expensive service call.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks.

Ed Chait


My mom called Whirlpool and spoke to someone who was clueless about the
procedure for bulb replacement.

The manual for that oven does not address the issue at all.

Makes me think that indeed you have to spend a lot of money for a service
call to simply replace a bulb.

I suggested to my mom that she call back and demand to speak to someone
higher up in the management chain.

Ed Chait

Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there

You must not melt much cheese.

On 5 Jan 2007 15:32:01 -0800, "Eric in North TX"
wrote:

:
:
: Myself, the first thing I do when I change MW ovens is REMOVE the bulb.
: I like to leave the door ajar much of the time and those lights are on
: when the door is open, so I'd just as soon not have them in there
:
: You must not melt much cheese.

Basically true.