My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

On Jan 6, 2:48*pm, wrote:
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. *When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. *I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. *I tried yet another minute. *It never got hot. *The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. *I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. *But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

The tube that generates the microwaves is called a Klystron. It looks
a lot like a regular vacuum tube you might have seen in an older TV
set. Anyway, the Klystron can fail in two ways. 1, It actually burns
out and you get no heating at all, 2, it gets weaker with age, and
heating times gradually increase. A third possibility is that some
other component in the uwave has failed.

Since you got some heating, and then it seems to have stopped heating,
we can pretty much eliminate the gradual failure. Only someone
familiar with mucrowave ovens can tell if the Klystron or some other
part has failed. And, you are right, the cost of repairing it can be
more than the cost of a new one.

So, you have to tell us a lot more, such as make, model, age,
appearance, etc, before we can advise you what route to take. Have
you tried to heat some cold water again? Was there any heating?

hr(bob) wrote:
On Jan 6, 2:48 pm, wrote:
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

The tube that generates the microwaves is called a Klystron. It looks
a lot like a regular vacuum tube you might have seen in an older TV
set. Anyway, the Klystron can fail in two ways. 1, It actually burns
out and you get no heating at all, 2, it gets weaker with age, and
heating times gradually increase. A third possibility is that some
other component in the uwave has failed.

Since you got some heating, and then it seems to have stopped heating,
we can pretty much eliminate the gradual failure. Only someone
familiar with mucrowave ovens can tell if the Klystron or some other
part has failed. And, you are right, the cost of repairing it can be
more than the cost of a new one.

So, you have to tell us a lot more, such as make, model, age,
appearance, etc, before we can advise you what route to take. Have
you tried to heat some cold water again? Was there any heating?

Hi,
Do you mean Klystron or Magnetron?

wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:10:34 -0700, Tony Hwang
wrote:



hr(bob) wrote:
On Jan 6, 2:48 pm, wrote:
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

The tube that generates the microwaves is called a Klystron. It looks
a lot like a regular vacuum tube you might have seen in an older TV
set. Anyway, the Klystron can fail in two ways. 1, It actually burns
out and you get no heating at all, 2, it gets weaker with age, and
heating times gradually increase. A third possibility is that some
other component in the uwave has failed.

Since you got some heating, and then it seems to have stopped heating,
we can pretty much eliminate the gradual failure. Only someone
familiar with mucrowave ovens can tell if the Klystron or some other
part has failed. And, you are right, the cost of repairing it can be
more than the cost of a new one.

So, you have to tell us a lot more, such as make, model, age,
appearance, etc, before we can advise you what route to take. Have
you tried to heat some cold water again? Was there any heating?

Hi,
Do you mean Klystron or Magnetron?
They are magnetrons Klystrons are sometimes excited by Magnetrons
for very high powered radar systems - the klystron is the amplifier.

wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:10:34 -0700, Tony Hwang
wrote:



hr(bob) wrote:
On Jan 6, 2:48 pm, wrote:
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

The tube that generates the microwaves is called a Klystron. It looks
a lot like a regular vacuum tube you might have seen in an older TV
set. Anyway, the Klystron can fail in two ways. 1, It actually burns
out and you get no heating at all, 2, it gets weaker with age, and
heating times gradually increase. A third possibility is that some
other component in the uwave has failed.

Since you got some heating, and then it seems to have stopped heating,
we can pretty much eliminate the gradual failure. Only someone
familiar with mucrowave ovens can tell if the Klystron or some other
part has failed. And, you are right, the cost of repairing it can be
more than the cost of a new one.

So, you have to tell us a lot more, such as make, model, age,
appearance, etc, before we can advise you what route to take. Have
you tried to heat some cold water again? Was there any heating?

Hi,
Do you mean Klystron or Magnetron?
They are magnetrons Klystrons are sometimes excited by Magnetrons
for very high powered radar systems - the klystron is the amplifier.

Hi,
Yup, I used to work on TWT exciter-10KW Klystron-100KW Klystron drvien
triple diversity troposcatter system B4 the days of satellite took
over. Also worked on MW comm. system putting out 3-5 Watts from a small
Klystron. Long time ago in the late '50s-'60s.

wrote:
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

Most of the time the diode shorts or cap, or transformer shorts. I think
with no load, the transformer still sucks a lot of power. There should be
small resistance between magnetron terminals, on heater. Always discharge
cap !!! If it's simple like diode, replace part, but you will spend too
much on other parts except cap.

If yo want full info, check out science repair FAQ. Microwave ovens.

http://zekfrivolous.com/faq/sam/micfaq.htm

Greg

Sounds like a failed high voltage diode. Easy repair.
Diode goes between the high voltage capacitor, and
ground. Electrical safety rules apply, as do legal
disclaimers.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

I must work on the wrong units. The ones I've
repaired, have been bad diode (several), or
capacitor (one).

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Meanie" wrote in message ...

It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.

On 1/6/2013 4:19 PM, Meanie wrote:
wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.



Magnetrons are quite tough, most failures are due to the the diode,
capacitor failing or simply a blown fuse. ^_^

TDD

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:48:26 -0600, wrote:

My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


You're right. Besides, like an old car, you fix this and then that
fails. Also, probably the newer ones are safer and more efficient
tho I'm guessing since I'm using one about 14 years old myself. I
just told my wife that we better prepare to replace it soon as I see
it beginning to rust inside.

"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message
...
On 1/6/2013 4:19 PM, Meanie wrote:
wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.



Magnetrons are quite tough, most failures are due to the the diode,
capacitor failing or simply a blown fuse. ^_^

The fuse has always been the problem with my microwaves, Radio Shack and
other hardware outlets always have them available, a cheap test is to
replace it.

On 1/6/2013 2:19 PM, Meanie wrote:
wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.


almost always shorted diode when it hums.

On Jan 6, 8:02*pm, "EXT" wrote:
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in ...





On 1/6/2013 4:19 PM, Meanie wrote:
wrote in message
. ..
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. *When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. *I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. *I tried yet another minute. *It never got hot. *The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. *I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. *But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.

Magnetrons are quite tough, most failures are due to the the diode,
capacitor failing or simply a blown fuse. ^_^

The fuse has always been the problem with my microwaves, Radio Shack and
other hardware outlets always have them available, a cheap test is to
replace it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

But the fuse will take out more than just the heating function, the
whole unit will fail.

On 1/6/2013 8:50 PM, hr(bob) wrote:
On Jan 6, 8:02 pm, "EXT" wrote:
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in ...





On 1/6/2013 4:19 PM, Meanie wrote:
wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?

It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.

Magnetrons are quite tough, most failures are due to the the diode,
capacitor failing or simply a blown fuse. ^_^

The fuse has always been the problem with my microwaves, Radio Shack and
other hardware outlets always have them available, a cheap test is to
replace it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

But the fuse will take out more than just the heating function, the
whole unit will fail.


There may be more than one fuse. ^_^

TDD

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 18:04:50 -0800, mike wrote:

On 1/6/2013 2:19 PM, Meanie wrote:
wrote in message
...
My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.


almost always shorted diode when it hums.
Which can also cause the fuse to blow - - -

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:00:56 -0600, Doug
wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:48:26 -0600, wrote:

My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


You're right. Besides, like an old car, you fix this and then that
fails. Also, probably the newer ones are safer and more efficient
tho I'm guessing since I'm using one about 14 years old myself. I
just told my wife that we better prepare to replace it soon as I see
it beginning to rust inside.

This one has been rusting quite a lot where the wheel rotates the
platter inside. I was planning to coat that rust with some sort of
paint or epoxy. It's a General Electric. I've heard that this rusting
is a common problem with these GE MWs. I'll check it out. If it's a
diode or cap, I'll fix it, otherwise I guess it's time for a new one.
If I junk it, I'll save the timer. I've known people to use them to
turn on lights for a brief amount of time, and other uses. That's
assuming its separate from the other components. The original MW's had
a separate timer.

On Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:59:12 +0000 (UTC), gregz
wrote:


Most of the time the diode shorts or cap, or transformer shorts. I think
with no load, the transformer still sucks a lot of power. There should be
small resistance between magnetron terminals, on heater. Always discharge
cap !!! If it's simple like diode, replace part, but you will spend too
much on other parts except cap.

If yo want full info, check out science repair FAQ. Microwave ovens.

http://zekfrivolous.com/faq/sam/micfaq.htm

Greg

That is quite an article. It seems to have everything anyone would ever
want to know about fixing a microwave. I have not read all of it, but
I've already learned a lot.

One thing, the article has invalid links. I suppose they are old.

Both links here (Below) are obsolete -

*Microtech maintains a web site with a large amount of information on
microwave oven repair including an on-line

*Tech Tips Database with hundreds of solutions to common problem for
many models of microwave ovens. There are also an extensive list

wrote:
On Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:59:12 +0000 (UTC), gregz
wrote:


Most of the time the diode shorts or cap, or transformer shorts. I think
with no load, the transformer still sucks a lot of power. There should be
small resistance between magnetron terminals, on heater. Always discharge
cap !!! If it's simple like diode, replace part, but you will spend too
much on other parts except cap.

If yo want full info, check out science repair FAQ. Microwave ovens.

http://zekfrivolous.com/faq/sam/micfaq.htm

Greg

That is quite an article. It seems to have everything anyone would ever
want to know about fixing a microwave. I have not read all of it, but
I've already learned a lot.

One thing, the article has invalid links. I suppose they are old.

Both links here (Below) are obsolete -

*Microtech maintains a web site with a large amount of information on
microwave oven repair including an on-line

*Tech Tips Database with hundreds of solutions to common problem for
many models of microwave ovens. There are also an extensive list

Tec tips used to be very popular with things, like monitors, vcrs, etc.
I'll see if I remember to send Sam a note. All the mirror sites should have
the same edition, Including mine.

Epoxy paint should work well, with prep.

I've installed mechanical timers before. Some people like them better.

Greg

On Jan 7, 12:36*pm, gregz wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:59:12 +0000 (UTC), gregz
wrote:

Most of the time the diode shorts or cap, or transformer shorts. I think
with no load, the transformer still sucks a lot of power. There should be
small resistance between magnetron terminals, on heater. Always discharge
cap !!! *If it's simple like diode, replace part, but you will spend too
much on other parts except cap.

If yo want full info, check out science repair FAQ. Microwave ovens.

http://zekfrivolous.com/faq/sam/micfaq.htm

Greg

That is quite an article. *It seems to have everything anyone would ever
want to know about fixing a microwave. *I have not read all of it, but
I've already learned a lot.

One thing, the article has invalid links. *I suppose they are old.

Both links here (Below) are obsolete -

*Microtech maintains a web site with a large amount of information on
microwave oven repair including an on-line

*Tech Tips Database with hundreds of solutions to common problem for
many models of microwave ovens. There are also an extensive list

Tec tips used to be very popular with things, like monitors, vcrs, etc.
I'll see if I remember to send Sam a note. All the mirror sites should have
the same edition, Including mine.

Epoxy paint should work well, with prep.

I've installed mechanical timers before. Some people like them better.

Greg- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Mechanical timers live thru noise on the power line much better than
electronic timers. Also sorry about Klystrona vs Magnetrons in my
original response. Thinking radar power levels, not home ovens.

my microwave Numbers Panel Light went out
and I can see zero when it runs

[98% of the time. In the dark, I can see very faint numbers]

anything I can try to bring them back?

I really like this microwave. otherwise

marc

Disassemble the unit, unplug and replug the multi pin connectors.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"marco" wrote in message
...
my microwave Numbers Panel Light went out
and I can see zero when it runs

[98% of the time. In the dark, I can see very faint numbers]

anything I can try to bring them back?

I really like this microwave. otherwise

marc

On Monday, January 7, 2013 1:49:23 PM UTC-8, Stormin Mormon wrote:
Disassemble the unit, unplug and replug the multi pin connectors.



Christopher A. Young

Learn more about Jesus

www.lds.org

.



"marco" wrote in message

...

my microwave Numbers Panel Light went out

and I can see zero when it runs



[98% of the time. In the dark, I can see very faint numbers]



anything I can try to bring them back?



I really like this microwave. otherwise



marc

thanks Christopher

will give it a try

marc

On 01/06/2013 08:02 PM, EXT wrote:

[snip]


The fuse has always been the problem with my microwaves, Radio Shack and
other hardware outlets always have them available, a cheap test is to
replace it.

It was the fuse that kept mine from working. Taking the cover off and
looking saved money that time.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for
every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect." -- James Madison
(1751-1836), letter to William Bradford, Jr., January 24, 1774

Very often, when displays go dark, there is a
dirty pin or socket, on the multipin. I had a
cell phone like that, one time.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

wrote in message
...
On Monday, January 7, 2013 1:49:23 PM UTC-8, Stormin Mormon wrote:
Disassemble the unit, unplug and
replug the multi pin connectors.


thanks Christopher

will give it a try

marc

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:04:32 -0600, wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:00:56 -0600, Doug
wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:48:26 -0600, wrote:

My 12 year old microwave quit heating today. I was warming some soup and
set it for the required time. When the cycle ended, the soup was warm,
but not hot. I ran the MW another minute and the soup did not get any
warmer. I tried yet another minute. It never got hot. The MW runs,
the timer works the platter rotates, but it just dont heat. I noticed
that it makes a loud hum, much louder than it did before.

I suspect that the heating element burned out, and probably costs more
for the parts to repair it, than to buy a new MW. But I thought I'd ask
if there could be something else that failed?

Is it normal to make a loud hum when they fail?


You're right. Besides, like an old car, you fix this and then that
fails. Also, probably the newer ones are safer and more efficient
tho I'm guessing since I'm using one about 14 years old myself. I
just told my wife that we better prepare to replace it soon as I see
it beginning to rust inside.

This one has been rusting quite a lot where the wheel rotates the
platter inside. I was planning to coat that rust with some sort of
paint or epoxy. It's a General Electric. I've heard that this rusting
is a common problem with these GE MWs. I'll check it out. If it's a
diode or cap, I'll fix it, otherwise I guess it's time for a new one.
If I junk it, I'll save the timer. I've known people to use them to
turn on lights for a brief amount of time, and other uses. That's
assuming its separate from the other components. The original MW's had
a separate timer.



Mine is also a GE model # JE1540WW 003 manufactured March 1998. It's
not rusting bad yet but I see starting signs of it. Still works well
but I don't know for how long and it's a built in with a metal trim
piece around it.

I think I will start to look around soon so I don't have to rush and
hopefully find the same size microwave while matching GE's white
color. I don't know if a different brand uses the same white color as
GE. If anyone else knows, please advise. Thanks.

It's the Magnetron. 9 times out of 10 that's the problem when it stops
heating.


You're all correct, I have no idea why I typed magnetron but was thinking
more along the lines of capacitor, yet even that's not always the case.

I'm just gonna keep my fingers to myself on this one and watch.