5-Heat Vintage GE Range surface unit question

[turquoisedude]

I ran into an issue with one of the surface units on the 56 GE kitchen Centre range on the weekend.
The element works fine when I press the HI or '2' button - the pilot light lights up and the unit gets hot; when I use the '3' or 'LO' button, the element pilot lights, but the unit does not heat. Using the 'WM' button, the pilot light lights up and I get the very low heat I would expect.
What could be the problem here??
I didn't have the time to explore much yesterday before heading back to the city but I suspect that I have either a bad connection or maybe the pushbutton switch unit is defective.
Am I on the right track?? I do tend to jump to conclusions with bad consequences ("Heck, I'm sure I can figure out that timer escapement")... LOL

 

[circlew]

Check for a broken wire where it attaches to the element terminals. One of mine wasn't working on all heats, and that was the trouble.

If that's not the problem, try connecting that element to one of the other switchs that you know is working properly.

Do all this work with the POWER SHUT OFF at the breaker, so you won't have sparks flying like you did with the WH dryer.

 

[turquoisedude]

Thanks for the input! I am definitely going to do this with the breaker off! I am not really confident messing with 240 power...

 

[norgeway]

lo and third...

At third you have 110 thru both coils, at lo just thru one of them, at warm it is 110 but the current goes thru the coils in series...you very possibly could have a bad switch,usually they do this when bad, but hopefully its just a loose wire.

 

[combo52]

GE 5 HEAT SURFACE UNIT SWITCHES

Hi paul if they both get red on hi and they both still get warm on the lowest setting you have a bad switch.

 

[norgeway]

YUP>>>>

You said what I tried to!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Thanks, all!!
I am fortunate enough to have a 63 or 64 GE built-in cooktop that has similar push-button controls. I may just have to cannibilize it for a switch.

Can such controls still be found??

 

[norgeway]

Yes...

The standard white button switches can be found, the big button ones used on early 60s Hotpoint and some ge, as well as the lighted pushbuttons are about non existant, at least around here.