How to fix a broken microwave oven
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- Опубліковано 3 бер 2023
- This video goes through a real world repair of a microwave with a broken door actuator. Along the way I walk you through the components of a microwave and some diagnostic clues and principles that will help with most electrical repairs. Years ago I did a video on a similar repair to the exact same microwave. So if you’re looking for more details regarding this repair, you may find them in the older video, here.
• How to fix a Broken Mi...
This is an amateur presentation offered in good faith, for free, but with no guarantees as to safety, accuracy, or reliability. Never walk yourself into a situation where you rely on one source of information for critical data.
Any repair involves risk, and those risks are especially high for people with inadequate tools or training. Appliance repair in microwaves are especially problematic because of the seriously high voltages involved. All of the repairs shown here require the device be removed from power before proceeding. Repairs that are incorrectly done can lead to house fires, electrocution, and other risks to property and bystanders. So you need to decide whether you have the stomach to accept those risks on behalf of yourself and your neighbors. Any misadventure you encounter if you decide to accept the risk of DIY home repair is on you. - Наука та технологія
Good explanation of the major internal components. I diagnosed a defective board relay that was not sending power on the load side to fire up the transformer. Soldered in a replacement and fixed for $5. Two years later the noise suppression fuse blew, replaced that for a ridiculous $9. The 13-year-old GE Profile is still running strong today. Saving me $500 from buying a new one.
I’ve never had the chance to work on a microwave oven and from your description of its internals, it doesn’t look too bad. Great fix on not having to buy any parts. Keep up the great work! 👍
My offhand remarks about the Villard voltage doubler circuit just after 4:00 don't give this clever little circuit a fair shake. When you put a capacitor in line with the secondary of the transformer, and add a downstream high wattage diode shunted to the other side of the transformer, the outgoing AC signal between the two is given a DC bias such that the negative baseline is shifted up to the forward voltage of the diode (a clamp circuit). So the peak to peak voltage difference is unchanged but the entire AC pattern is shifted upward to double the peak forward voltage. The cap discharges when the incoming phase shifts positive to double the outgoing positive peak, and then recharges the downstream plate with current coming from that diode during the next phase. For more info, Wikipedia have a page on voltage doublers that explain it well. Almost all old style transformer based microwaves had this Villard circuit. New inverter style transformers are much more complex.
wow very informative and descriptive video
Another educational gem! Thank you.
Haven't had dig into the electrical but my over the stove microwave developed a drooping door. A spot weld had broken so the bottom hinge was pushing in. Tried a screw but that didn't work. Then a pop rivet did the trick and it's been good for years. There was a small hole there, just pulled the hinge outward and put the rivet in there.
Hey , great repair Mark ! 👍👍
Thanks, Shawn! Dave.
@@spelunkerd I'm sorry ,I got your name wrong !
My microwave starts, runs for about a second normally, and then shuts down. The display says XXXX for a few seconds and then goes back to 0 as would be normal. What would make the unit act this way? Seems likely it is not fuse or door switches? Could something cause the power to the electronics to sag when the unit comes on to the point that the controls would shut down?
That's interesting. Clearly the unit is not powering up properly and is shutting down for safety. I wouldn't discount door switches or relay problems. Something like a bad capacitor or cooling fan or a bad relay could do that, but the list is long. Many devices come with internal trouble codes that help, if you can find a technicians repair manual online based on your model number. There is a major safety concern with these, the voltages are really high. Given how inexpensive microwaves are, you need to ask yourself if you are willing to put in the effort, risk, and time to decide whether it is worth fixing. There are some much more detailed microwave videos online now doing a deeper dive into problem solving.
Well, after pulling it off the wall and taking cover off I poked around a while yesterday. I am a retired EE so working around voltages and caps not a problem. Couldn't find anything that would make it work so went to bed. This AM I got up to do some more troubleshooting and now IT WORKS! And won't stop working!
Frustrating. I suspect a capacitor that "healed" itself over night. It's 14 years old so I should just replace. But I'm cheap...and stubborn!@@spelunkerd
@@JP-rf7px There's something oddly satisfying about diving in and ultimately making a diagnosis, although techs everywhere whine about how difficult intermittent problems can be. As you say, better to wait til it's broken enough to leave reliable clues. I'd be looking for something mechanical, or perhaps corrosion at a connector, somewhere. Thanks for making this thread worth reading.