GE 40" - sensi temp burner not working

[poeciremi]

So I just got this stove given to me (to replace my glass top that broke). I LOVE it. But, there's always a but. The sensi temp burner isn't working. Now, from what I gather, I need to test the sensor itself. Can someone explain how I do this? Or even better, show pictures? I have the tester, I'm just not sure how to go about testing the sensor.

Serial number indicates it was built in either January of 74 or 60. I'm thinking 74, but not positive based on the plugs below the controls as it seems these were discontinued in the 70's? Model number is J490002DC.

 

[combo52]

Early 70s TOL GE 40" Range

This is all the range anyone needs, these were great ranges.

 

The most likely problem with the STE is a bad sensor, the easiest way to test is to remove the back panel in the control panel area and test for 17.5 ohms resistance across the sensor wires after you remove them from the back of the ST heat control switch [ both wires are yellow and they are identified on the ST heat control switch with a little S ]

 

If you have 17.5 ohms resistance then the problem is elsewhere, the control itself, the transformer, a broken black wire where it connects to the surface element etc.

 

On this range it is fairly easy to convert the ST system to a standard infinite heat control like the other three elements if you can not find parts or just do not want to spend too much effort trying to fix it.

 

John L.

 

[poeciremi]

Thank you! It does seem to be the sensor. I was lucky enough to find one on eBay so hopefully that solves the issue. If not, then I may convert it to infinite, but I'd really prefer to keep it as original as possible.

Silly question - I found a black piece floating around under the burners. From what I remember of old stoves, this was used to vent the oven out through a burner. I'm assuming it's meant to vent the large oven out of the back burner, but if I put it in place, the drip pan won't sit properly. I'm not sure if I'm placing it wrong or if perhaps the drip pan has been replaced to a deeper model?

And finally - ours came with the rotisserie unit. But I'm not sure I have all the pieces, as I can't seem to figure out how in the world it hooks up in the oven. I've searched and searched to no avail to find an owners manual to no avail, is there someplace I can find one?!

 

[ken]

At top of screen you will see Manuals & Literature. By clicking it will take you to the library of manuals and other documents available for download. I just did a quick search and found the owners manual for the 1970 GE Range is available. It lists info on using the oven rotisserie. Im pretty sure it would apply to your 74.

Or someone here may have one they're willing to part with. You can also look on ebay. Usually there are many listed there. If there's not one for your model at present just keep checking. New ones are listed frequently.

 

[thespiritof76]

Congratualtions on the GE!!

My Kelvinator Tri-Leval has the Kelvinator equivalent to the Sensi-Temp. Kelvinator called it the Pan.O.Matic. Mine still works perfectly! I absolutely love it for deep frying, or for simmering for long periods of time. I find I never have to touch or adjust that control once! It really is a pleasure! I hope you find it just as useful. Ill tell you, for the reasons one uses that feature, its hard to go back to doing such things on a regular burner.

 

[poeciremi]

Thanks for the manuals tip! I somehow completely overlooked that.

Got the new sensor today - listing said it was "used". It's brand new in the box! The box and paperwork look older than it does

Now I just need to finish cleaning the beast. It had been sitting in a basement unused for quite a while - in really good shape, just dirty from sitting and age and I suspect a mouse was in it at some point as when I turned the small oven on, a very strange smell started coming from under the burners. Not electrical, not food or greae, but very ammonia-y.

Now all I need to find is the meat thermometer and I think I'll have everything it was supposed to have except the griddle, but I never use griddles. So far I've seen one meat thermometer on eBay but the price seems a bit steep to me, at almost $200. If I can't find one, has anyone had any success converting it to one more readily available?

 

[combo52]

Early 70s TOL GE 40" Range

Yay, hope the sensor solves the problem, as the poster in reply #4 states the automatic burners are one of the many great things about this range, they control the temperature so accurately you can actually bake a cake in a skillet on it.

 

I probably have an extra meat probe for this range, post a picture of the receptacle and I can tell which one your oven uses, GE switched over to an electronic gauge around this time and it uses a different probe.

 

John L.

 

[poeciremi]

I think this is my favorite forum of all time. Y'all are so helpful!

This is the receptacle and the new sensor I received. As far as I can see, the sensor looks correct but it came in an "eaton controls division" box and the directions also state Eaton on them. Am I correct to guess that this company made replacement parts/was some how affiliated with GE? I'll add a picture of the box as well.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The ammonia smell was from the mouse peeing in the oven insulation. You will probably want to remove the old insulation and replace it. 

 

If you have the manual, you can see now the oven vents are placed so that the closed end goes over the vent hole and the round opening goes under the drip pan.