Failure - GE OTR MW JVM6175YK2FS

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DADoES

DADoES

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Unit is 2.75 yo, installed Jan 2020.  It does run such that the magnetron sounds like it's operating.  No heating occurs but I can hear the cycling of it on power levels less than 100%.  The humming sound when the magnetron engages is noticeably louder/stronger than before the failure.  The change was sudden at the moment I started it (when the failure apparently occurred), which immediately caught my attention.

I'd rather repair it than replace the whole thing ... although of course it must be dismounted either way.

Any advice on what may be the failed component would be much appreciated.  I have no experience diagnosing the specifics of microwave failures, other than I can do electrical tests on components with guidance on what/how to test.

High-voltage transformer WB20X10043?
Capacitor WB27X10011?
Diode WB27X1160?
Magnetron WB27X11079?
Fuse WB27X10474 (except the whole thing isn't dead)?
Noise filter WB02X11200?
 
Had a GE counter top microwave that was very lightly used. Lasted about two years before noticing similar issues. Wasn't long before darn thing gave up the ghost. Apparently these GE microwave ovens aren't the most robust nor longest living out there.

Considered repair, but in end just chucked the thing and got out vintage Sharp Carousel all metal job with mechanical timer. Only really use microwave for veggies and perhaps reheating, so that's me for you.
 
 
Failure of any one of the multiple door switches doesn't result in a non-start situation?  It does run as I stated above.  Distinct humming sound as if the magnetron is energizing, just no heating.  Video is at 30% power so the cycling can be heard.
 
That video is scary because my OTR GE looks a lot like it, but I think mine is even older.

 

We had a big ~1980 Panasonic with woodgrain exterior that failed after 20 or so years.  Not only did the hum get a lot louder, but it also made yellow flashes in the cavity.  Fortunately, there was an identical spare at my mom's that had only seen about five years of use (both my sister and I received these MWOs as Xmas gifts) so after confirming the magnetron was bad, we switched out the bad oven for the good one and that was that.
 
Old GE microwaves were long lived

Clearly not so much anymore. I knew of several homes with many kids in each, that the ovens lasted 10 years or more. I have no knowledge of the current models.
David
 
Speaking of microwaves...

 

I've had a Kenmore Elite Microwave since about 1999. It works. It works well. But it wouldn't fit in the space above the GE P7 wall oven, so I got another microwave, a Panasonic NN-651S, circa approx 2016. This one also worked well. Then I decided to bring it into work, and got a replacement, same model, dated 2019.

 

The replacement has been disappointing. It works OK once it gets going, but the problem is with the door latch. I have to really slam the door shut to get the latch to engage the power on function. Otherwise it just sits there and does nothing.  I've lived with that POS for some years now. Even after I got laid off my job and brought the older one home, I kept using the newer more defective one. I suppose I could take it apart (again) and try to figure out how to get the door latch/safety feature to work properly. Chances are, it's an issue with the relay and something I cannot fix without a new relay. Fuck it. Maybe I'll just return the thing to Costco and see what they say. Problem is, prices of replacements have probably soared since 2019.

 

Anyway, I just swapped the "new" Panasonic for the older, better one, and it's working just fine. The newer circa 2019 one is going back unless I can fix it.

 

I don't really need all these microwaves... I also have a 1,000 watt Danby, which sits in the patio kitchen. Despite the lower wattage, it works just fine. Plus it has a nice stainless interior to match the stainless exterior.

 

Update: found one more microwave in the workshop. It's still in box, so it's probably one that somebody gave me at some point. It's an older Panasonic Inverter unit, but instead of 1300 watts, it's 1250 watts. As I recall, the person that gave it to me said it works fine. I'd test it but it's sitting on the floor in a little bathroom at the back of the workshop, with about five heavy boxes on top of it.

 

Can you tell I don't need any more microwaves? LOL.

 

edit-update: I was wrong to say the NN-SA651S Panasonic inverter microwave is 1300 watts. It's really 1200 watts. Says that right on the front, duh.

 

 

 

[this post was last edited: 9/12/2022-01:33]
 
I have an over the stove GE "Advantium" microwave/speed cook oven.I am on my second one.The first lasted for 15yrs!The old one was hauled off by the installer-Lowes.First oven came from Greenville Appliance-they demoed one for me.I think of microwaves a disposable machines.Even if you could fix the diodes or caps-the magnetron is probably on its way out anyway-and a failing magnetron may have caused the rectifier diodes to fail.
 
We are "Sharp" people.  My grandmother, mother, and myself have all owned Sharps and they have all lasted many years.  My previous one is over 20 years old now and is still going strong at MIL's house next door.  The VFD has gone out but she doesn't use any other functions on it other than time and start...always on "hi".
 
My 1st microwave oven was a Sharp Carousel that lasted 5 years before the magnetron tube failed. The second oven was a Panasonic with inverter technology. That lasted 4 years before the power supply smoked. Very disappointing. My current oven is a Sharp Carousel with Convection that's been used daily for over 22 years. The build quality is really solid. If there comes a day for a replacement, I've been looking at a Panasonic 4-in-1, has air fryer, convection, broiler, and inverter.

It's always a roll of the dice when buying a microwave oven. Wirecutter says they're all the same, but recommends Toshiba.
 
I have a Sharp that I use daily for oatmeal in the morning plus many other cooking/heating tasks. I knew it was getting old but I didn't realize HOW old until I looked at the back - 1994! There were a few years where it was a backup and not used but other than that it's been a daily driver. Knock on wood, it still works perfectly. As a bonus the styling is still "current" with black textured cabinet and black front/touch buttons.

Chris
 
Normally, if the diode fails, it fails shorted, and the fuse opens. If fuse is still good, it's likely not the diode.

Transformer is same; it usually shorts and blows fuse, causing totally dead microwave.

That leaves the capacitor and magnetron. The capacitor can be tested with a meter; as can the transformer. The diode can be tested with a battery and small lightbulb. 

 

I did a video on this a while back. Ended up being the magnetron. Note this was an original 1988 Sharp microwave so it had a good service life.  

 

 
 
I have a 1983 GE that is still going strong. Run into several new GE OTR units that blow the magnetron after less than a year, biggest reason why is because they aren't being installed correctly. Some of the newer GE use the vent blower as the cooling fan for the mag and if there was no vent setup the installers are just leaving the blower as is and not flipping it for recirculating out the front grill, which is then causing the mag to overheat and fail. These particular ones appear to actually be built by LG but yet ones that are similar but actually branded LG still have a cooling fan for the mag from what i have seen.
 
I have a cheap Sunbeam microwave, which replaced a larger GE that blew up after 3 years. It serves my purpose for now.

When I was shopping in Wasserstrom Restaurant Supply a few weeks ago, I saw microwave ovens that were assembled in the US. They were Amana commercial units, and were expensive of course. Might get one if I come into money.
 
Pre 2000 GE, etc.

the ones from Korea were better. I think today GE and LG are made by the same Chinese plant. Knock wiood, our 2011 model lasts a lomg while, like the Profile dishwasher. We don't cook with a microwave often. Mostly veggies and reheating.
Two dishwasher loads per week Max.
 

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