I would love to get my sensitemp to work.

[zinniz]

Thanks again for the info!

Dean,

Thanks for letting me know that's normal! I would have figured it out when the new one arrives, but it's good to know the previous owners weren't hacking around with it this time.

Since I started looking into all this, I've replaced the damaged burner in back, and while I was at it got some new drip pans and rings. My stove is looking better than ever and hopefully soon will be running with 4 burners again.

Carrie.

 

[Drewbiz]

I also have a question. about the sensitemp.

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum. I just found it. I have been trying to find more info on my 40" GE P7. Mine has the knobs and no buttons. I think it is from the early 70s. It is Avocado colored and my wife hates it and wants to get rid of it. I love it and want to repair the little things that are wrong and get another 40 + years out of it. I have used the sensitemp burner because the other 8" burner stopped working. I just got a replacement 8" burner to fix that. The sensitemp burner works well still, but sometimes it gets to temperature and cuts off, but doesn't come back on. could that be an issue with the sensor or the type of cookware? Also, I plan on replacing the 8" burner and cleaning the area under the top, but I am having trouble getting the top off. Is there a latch or magic button?

Drew

 

[combo52]

SenceAtemp burner issues

Hi Drew, it is important that the cookware be flat and most importantly the center of the pan must be in good contact with the sensor for proper operation.

Keep in mind when cooking on these Calrod style surface elements, and you are using high heat, THE ELEMENT SHOULD NEVER GLOW RED HOT, if it does you need better cookware, this is true of any electric range with conventional elements.

Drew it is fairly difficult to remove the cook-top on your range, it is usually best to just clean through the burner openings.

 

[danemodsandy]

Drew:

John combo52 is The Expert here when it comes to GE range repair - he knows stuff about GE ranges that GE has forgotten.

So, if you see advice from him, he's someone who knows what he's talking about.

 

[norgeway]

GE Recommended

Medium weight aluminum cookware for best operation of the Sensi Temp, they stated in the owners manual to use a lower than normal temperature for other materials..ie, stainless or iron.Some people are afraid of aluminum these days, but it really does respond quickest to heat changes.

 

[danemodsandy]

Oh, and Drew:

The full GE instruction manual for Sensi-Temp burners is available from Automaticwasher.org's "sister" site, Automatic Ephemera. It gives full instructions and cookware recommendations. It is available for paid download, at only $1.99. The download comes to you in PDF (Adobe Reader) format, in the most amazingly high-quality scans you ever saw. Automatic Ephemera accepts PayPal.

The link to the Sensi-Temp instruction book is:

Know Your Sensi-Temp

Know Your Sensi-Temp

www.automatice.org

 

[Drewbiz]

Thanks for the good info!

Thank you all for the good info. I am going to order the sensi temp manual and the owners manual they have. This forum is very helpful.

 

[zinniz]

It worked!!!

My new sensor arrived in the mail today! It only took a few minutes to install and I have a working burner!! I tested it on a medium boil and I can not wait to "Get to know" my sensitemp better. I am kicking myself for listening to the repair guy who said nothing could be done.

You guys are amazing! I am ever so thankful.

Here's my new sensor in action, burning off years of gunk as it heats up some water.

 

[danemodsandy]

You GO, Carrie!

I am so glad to hear - and see - that your range is looking and working great, ready for a few more decades of culinary adventures.

In case you do not have it, the GE Sensi-Temp instruction manual is a must, because Sensi-Temp doesn't work exactly like many people think it does. A lot of people try to use it strictly with the temperature settings, when in fact you need to use the "Boil" settings when cooking with liquids. And it never needs to be cranked up red-hot, as John combo52 mentions above.

Again, the Sensi-Temp guide can be downloaded from Automatic Ephemera for only $1.99. Robert, the owner of this site, runs AE as well. A link directly to the page for the Sensi-Temp guide is below.

Again, congratulations on your first vintage appliance "save," and I am willing to bet there are more in your future! Glad we could help.

Know Your Sensi-Temp

Know Your Sensi-Temp

www.automatice.org

 

[robinsondm]

Way to go, Carrie!

Congratulations on the successful repair! Where there's a will, there's a way, especially with this forum here to help. Have fun using your Sensi-Temp burner!

 

Dean

 

[zinniz]

Sensi-Temp Guide

Sandy,

Thanks for the link! I got it downloaded and love the anthropomorphic illustrations in it. I learned a lot from the booklet. It's definitely a must-have for anyone with one of these burners.

Carrie.

 

[danemodsandy]

Carrie:

Glad you like the Sensi-Temp guide! The cookware drawings in the book are of a Wear-Ever line of cookware called Hallite, which turns up a lot in thrift stores and on eBay. I keep meaning to nab a couple of pieces and see if it's any better on the Sensi-Temp than my aluminum-clad Farberware.

Not that anyone's going to pry me away from my Farberware, you understand....

 

[sarahperdue]

Hi

Hi Carrie,

I'm Sarah. I love seeing your range and have enjoyed this discussion about the Sensi-Temp burner. I have a Hotpoint with Hotpoint's version of the Sensi-Temp and hope to take on fixing it sometime in the not so distant future. I love your analog clocks. Mine has the mechanical digital clock, but it was a major upgrade from the 30" Kenmore with the rusted through oven liner, so I bought it especially since the large oven is self cleaning.

Glad you found AW. I agree with Sandy, once you successfully repair an old appliance, it is hard to resist taking on another.

Sarah

 

[zinniz]

Speaking of Hotpoint...

Hi Sarah,

Good luck with fixing your Hotpoint! It's funny that you mention you have the Hotpoint version. When I was working on my stove, I noticed that the part box had both brands listed on it, and I had wondered if they existed on Hotpoint ranges too.

Carrie.

 

[Julie]

Just got mine working....

I love, love, love it! I have a gorgeous 1969 model. I had to run new electric service for it, as I had hookups for a propane oven. So I just got all that done, and after reading here, realized my sensi temp sensor is also not working. Everything else does. I have the original griddle and it is in almost perfect condition. I don't have the probe, sad face, but this range is immaculate, inside and out. Even the back is clean, without built up grease, etc. I feel VERY lucky to have come across it.

Some things I need are the drip pans, sensor and probe. If anyone has these, I would be eternally grateful! If no sensor is available, I would love to know how I can make that burner function without one. Someone tried replacing the pans, but the coils don't fit on top of them, since they aren't notched. I haven't been able to find the correct item replacement for them. I am so glad I found this forum and thread!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[danemodsandy]

Julie:

Welcome to AW.org.

John combo52 is the GE expert around here, so I'll let him advise you on the repairs. Your range is well worth saving. It's from around 1972, as can be seen from the rotary controls and the convenience outlets on the control panel.

Nice range!

 

[Julie]

Danemodsandy

Yes, it is awesome! It is a 1969 model, I looked it up. It also has the electrical outlets. I will try to patiently wait on John. Thanks for your response!

 

[craigl]

I also have a 40" GE range with a sensitemp burner that is not working. GE no longer seems to sell the parts but I understand one of the members here may have parts available? I would be interested in pricing. The range is a 1978 model (jcp68ow1wh)

It does not seem to matter what position the power saver switch is in, there is a slight amount of heat from the burner if you turn on the switch, but never gets hot. I hear a low hum when the burner is on, but no vibration.

 

[sel8207]

sensi temp repair

I also have the situation where the sense temp burner starts to get warm for a few seconds, then shuts off. I also hear a slight buzzing or humming noise coming from the responder unit (that's the temp setting control on the dash of the stove). Mine is the older ten ohm sensor model. The sensor is located in the middle of the burner. I actually don't think anything is wrong with that, but there is also a relay inside the responder unit which I believe could be causing the problem. Newer units were, I believe, upgraded to a 17 ohm sensor along with other changes. A replacement responder unit might still be available. Mine is not, it's from a 1961 stove, but there is surely somebody here who can help you with your stove. The only information I could ever find was from a G.E technical talk manual, which said something to the effect that when they checked the parts that were removed, the sensor turned out to be fine, and that it was the responder that needed to be replaced. Other members here have stated that they believe it's usually the sensor that's the cause of the problem. There is a check out sequence to troubleshooting these units, but I don't have it available to post right now. Hopefully, somebody with more electrical experience than me will give you some information and assist you. Good luck. Les

 

[norgeway]

Sensi Temp

Was a great feature.....WHEN it worked, unfortunately I have never seen one that did work, as many old stoves as I have had down thru the years, only the ones that were on gas ranges worked, and they were great.