Another microwave problem!

[normadesmond]

Oh no!

I was here a year ago with a problem regarding my beloved (I mean that) Quasar microwave oven. Last years problem was brilliantly fixed with a simple fuse and all has been well, until today.

When I attempt to turn it on, all I get is a "click." The touch-pad still works, by which I mean I can choose time & power level. It's just when START is pressed, all I get is that darned "click."

I'm fearful, does this sound like a death knell?

Thank you in advance !!

 

[combo52]

It could be a number of different things I would check door switches carefully and the wiring to them, but it sounds more like the power relay on the board might be clicking on, but nothing is happening. It could be a solder connection on the board, but I would mainly check Wiring connections and the little terminals for a faulty one this is one of the most common reasons microwave stopped working, other than the fuse problem you had last year.

I remember that well when that screw ball tried to convince you that you had to use a special 20 amp fuse in your microwave, lol

John

 

[normadesmond]

Hi John!

You had me at screwball!!

Thanks oh so very much for the input! This problem has happened sporadically in the past, but would occur & then return to normal. Like a hiccup. Of course I keep hoping this time was a hiccup too, but I don't think so. I haven't taken it off the shelf & opened it up yet, probably will this weekend.

As I probably wrote last year, I am an imbecile & not electrically inclined, but I love my microwave. It has so much meaning to me & this happens to come at a time of incredible loss. I'm going to put on a Superman shirt!

 

[combo52]

Vintage microwave problem

If this microwave is sentimental to you, you don't have to give up on it even if you can't repair it there are many people who know how to fix these things and it shouldn't cost that much.

If you want to try to repair it, we're willing to help But don't just assume it's got to go into the scrap pile.

John

 

[normadesmond]

Don't worry John . . . .

. . . . I ain't giving up yet!! Like I said, I'll open her up this weekend, but not sure I'll be able to discern anything. I did a bit of googling in search of repair shops & the like, but that kind of shoppe/person seems long gone.

 

[whitewhiskers]

normadesmond: this must be said

> As I probably wrote last year, I am an imbecile & not electrically inclined

Please stop. If you proceed you will end up dead.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Yes, you should quit while the only thing really dead is the light bulb inside it, and that is probably hazardous to change...

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

[turbokinetic]

The only real thing which could be "the end" for this oven is if the actual electronic touch panel goes out. There are a couple possibilities for the "click" without heating. Typically there are three door switches which all must work together. There is a switch going to the control circuit board, which tells the microprocessor when you have opened and closed the door. It may also operate the light, or the control board may operate the light with a relay when the door switch is made or broken. The next switch is the door interlock, which breaks the power to the heating circuit when the door opens. Finally, there is an interlock "monitor" switch which will intentionally shunt the power supply to the heating circuit if the interlock fails while the door is open. The blown fuse likely meant that one or more of these switches is not working correctly, triggering the interlock monitor. I would investigate the door switches first. My mom has a 1988 Sharp Carousel microwave. The plastic parts which support the switches have slightly warped over the years, causing problems such as this. I replaced the switches and added some shims made of plastic zip ties, to ensure the switches are held securely. 

There should be a schematic on the inside of the microwave cover showing the wiring. It is essential that the wiring is not inadvertently or intentionally modified from this schematic, as this can be a serious safety issue.  Also, it should go without saying that the HV section of the microwave represents a serious hazard while the cover is off of the oven. 

 

Sincerely,

David 

 

[Chetlaham]

Screw ball

All because John doesn't know glass automotive fuses are not capable of interrupting the voltage or current found in a microwave oven. Or have any real world experience turning a screw driver as the little sticker found in every microwave actually lists the correct fuse required. First things I was taught in school was reading instructions and following directions. As the saying goes "death is like stupidity. The pain is only felt by others"

 

 

With that said, unless this oven is deeply sentimental or can truly out-perform any modern unit sold today I'd look into getting a new one. A lot of parts are NLA and and will become more difficult as time goes on. There are modern ovens out there that can cook evenly with features like convection. I've had some of my best experiences with new microwave ovens and have no looked back.

 

I'm on Gary's side. Unless you 100% know what you're doing including being able to safely discharge a capacitor charged in excess of 3000 volts I would not touch anything inside the oven. (Yes I'm aware microwave caps typically have a discharge resistor that (hopefully) drains the cap after several minutes however one should never solely rely or assume anything when it comes to high voltage) 

 

 

[turbokinetic]

Here is a video I did a while back about repairing these. 

 

 

[normadesmond]

Thanks David!

That was a fascinating watch.

I'm not the least bit equipped to do what you do. If only Alabama wasn't so far from Minnesota.

I will take a look at the connections that have to do with the door, but I fear the worst.

Thank you again!!

 

[normadesmond]

Looks quite bleak . . . .

Finally found some time to open up the oven. Of course I was hoping to find some piece laying there broken, but no such luck. I unscrewed a few things, but nothing changed. I'm at a loss to find someone capable to repair this in my area. I guess I'll look a bit more, but, like I'd said up at the top of the thread, I hate to see it go. Represents a lot.

Of course, it isn't completely bleak in that the Montgomery Ward microwave/convection oven combo that was left here in the house 24 years ago has been hauled back upstairs & is working. It too is old, but I have zero emotional connection to it.

 

[combo52]

What part of Minnesota are you in? I may know somebody in the Minneapolis area who might be able to work on it.

John

 

[normadesmond]

St Paul/Twin Cities

I'm not adverse to driving a bit!

 

[normadesmond]

Combo52/ John

Just so you know, I'm doing nothing until I hear from you!!! Thank you for your effort!!

 

[normadesmond]

My still sick Quasar oven

Don't mean to be a noodge, but just in case someone happens to float through here & missed my plea back in November, I thought I'd leave this post & get it out of the weeds.

I've still got my baby downstairs & I don't want to throw it out.

If anyone knows anybody in the Twin Cities, MN area that works on old ovens, I thank you.

 

[kalanikaau1]

memories...

Seeing your post brings back memories of the very first microwave oven in our household, an Amana (Litton) TouchMatic II, it was quite pricey and weighed a ton.

I had purchased it new sometime in the early '80's, I was a young automotive mechanic then, my Mother chastised me when she found out how much it cost.

It served our family for at least 20 years, no doubt it's hefty magnetron was it's durability factor.

I was saddened to let it go, the magnetron had failed and was obsolete, I replaced it with a Panasonic, lucky if it lasted us 5 years...