Frigidaire “Compact 30” slide-in range mystery

[dalangdon]

Hi there,

I recently came across a Frigidaire “Compact 30” slide-in range, model RG-533. The cooktop works fine, but the oven/broiler is dead, as is the clock. Is suspect the clock is the culprit or, rather the times mechanism for the oven), but I don’t want to deal with having it repaired.

My questions are:

1) is my theory correct?

2) is there a way to bypass the clock to get the oven to work?

Thanks for any help....

 

[bradfordwhite]

We would need pictures or model no.s to even start quessing.  Pictures?..... of the wiring.

 

But Yes, one can certainly run some tests to check the unit and the control modules. 

 

If the clock doesn't have time bake features and is just a clock, then it will have nothing to do with if the oven works.

 

Pictures needed.

 

[maytagbear]

This could

be very easy.........is the clock/timer set on "Man," which is short for manual. There is a chance that it is not dead...... if it is not on "man," it won't work by turning the knob.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[dalangdon]

My first thought was the manual switch as well, and that’s part of my suspicion: it seems like maybe it has been forced in, and maybe broken the mechanism. Even when I set it up for time bake and set the non-functioning clock to that time, it doesn’t come on (even though I can hear a click when I turn the oven on)

 

[combo52]

Dead FD Oven

It is very likely the clocks timer switch, it is very easy for someone familiar with this type of electrical repair to bypass the clocks switch, I have done this at least a few hundred times on various brands of ranges, FD and WH were two of the most common brands to have this problem.

 

John L.

 

[dalangdon]

I’ve done it a few times, but I’m never sure what I’m doing (OTOH, I haven’t killed anyone or burnt anything down yet ;-) )

I’d like to get this oven working by Thanksgiving (but I have a Nesco roaster waiting in the wings like an ambitious understudy)

 

[sudsmaster]

I have that exact same (electric) range in my patio kitchen. But this one is a drop in, not a slide in. I think! It came with the house. I've had to replace one of the surface burners, but I can't say I've ever seen a problem with the oven. However I can't remember actually trying to use the oven either! Mostly I've just stored bakeware in it.

 

I suppose I could try. I would not be surprised if the clock were the source of any malfunction issues, since it's in a relatively exposed position on the cook top. The one on mine has a cracked plastic window on it. Which probably is not good for the internals, although I haven't used the range much (I did use it for making jam from garden fruit some years ago).

 

I guess I'll have to unload the bakeware and see if the oven actually works. I have a Kitchenaid Superba slide in gas range with convection oven a neighbor recently gave me. It's now part of the collection, waiting for me to extend the natural gas line to the patio kitchen range area...

 

 

[dalangdon]

Here’s some pics. Anyone know how to get that clock compartment open

 

[sudsmaster]

OK, here is my Compact 30 range. Yours looks like a drop-in to me. Looks like they changed the clock form and position between the two.

 

Mine is an RBE-533. I might have a manual somewhere. I'm not sure if you can lift the top on these or not. Might not hurt to try (after shutting off the circuit breaker!). or, you could peek through the nearest range element opening.

 

PS-the range oven door is really white. The green tint comes from the light transmitted by some translucent corrugated green fiberglass roofing material that forms a 45 degree shed roof on the far side of the enclosed patio where the range is located.

 

Also, I might have a manual for this somewhere, I just have to track it down!

 

Oh, and I tested the oven and the broiler. Both seem to work fine; I didn't have to mess with the clock, which does have start and stop times for the oven.

 

Also you might be able to find a manual on line. Here's the location for the manual for mine: https://www.manualslib.com/download/745063/Frigidaire-Rbe-533.html 

 

Isn't the internet great?

 

 

[this post was last edited: 11/25/2019-20:21]

 

[sudsmaster]

Oh, and I also found the manual for the RG-533D there. It says you can lift the top by grasping the sides and lifting from the front.

 

Download Frigidaire R530D Owner's Manual | ManualsLib

www.manualslib.com

 

[dalangdon]

Thanks! This is very helpful!

 

[sudsmaster]

Dan,

 

Glad to be of help.

 

I finally found the manual for my Compact 30 RBE-533. Actually, the house came with two minty manuals for this range. I'll see if I can scan one and upload it to AW.ORG. The one on manuals online is OK but I think I can get a better version... plus I can probably preserve the two color printing (we'll see).

 

It looks like yours is a more modern version. The top on my range does not appear capable of being lifted off. There's nothing in the manual about that, and when I looked under one of the front burners it looks like it's not designed to be lifted. Bummer, since I think the clock on mine also needs servicing. It's stopped, so it probably needs some lubrication if not more. However the oven still works in manual mode. Don't know about the self-clean function, never tried it. Never used the oven, either. I use the GE P*7 wall oven in the main house kitchen instead, or an Oster french door table top convection oven. Which works well enough for 16" frozen pizza and stuff like fish sticks or breaded chicken tenders.

 

Have fun! Let us know if you get the clock fixed.

 

 

 

 

[sudsmaster]

I notice the link I provided for the manual for the RBE-533 doesn't work. Probably because I selected the download link instead of the main manual page. Here's a link that should work better:

 

FRIGIDAIRE RBE-533 COOK-N-CARE MANUAL Pdf Download

View and Download Frigidaire RBE-533 cook-n-care manual online. RBE-533 ranges pdf manual download. Also for: Compact 30.

www.manualslib.com

 

 

[dalangdon]

Ok, I figured out how to get at the clock. There’s two red wires on the top (stop/manual) control, and two black wires and a yellow wire on the bottom (start) control.

When I push in the stop knob, which is what the directions indicate, it doesn’t stay pressed in.

Any thoughts on how to bypass the mechanism? The clock doesn’t work, and I don’t need it to.

Thanks!

 

[combo52]

By Passing The Clock Switch

Using your picture as a guide, move the left black wire to the extra terminal where the other black wire is and do the same with the red wire above [ move it to the extra terminal where the red wire is ]

Let us know how the turkey comes out.

John L.

 

[dalangdon]

Thanks, John!

I did it like you said (I think - see picture) still no go. Any other ideas? I don’t think it’s the thermostat, and I don’t think it’s the element, as the broiler doesn’t work either (but I know just enough about this to be dangerous.

 

[dalangdon]

Update: I had an appliance guy out, and it’s NOT the clock. There’s no power to the clock area. So I think a new drop-in is in our future. I’m thinking Avocado.....

Luckily, I have my trusty Nesco Roaster, so we will not be bereft of Turkey on that most Turkiest if days.

 

[goatfarmer]

Maybe a broken wire somewhere?

 

[mattl]

Be a shame to junk the range when it could be a simple wiring issue.