Obscure Microwave Part Search

[DADoES]

 
I have a Sharp R-630DS Platinum Collection microwave oven.  The scrolling alphanumeric display went bad years ago, before searching and buying parts online was a thing.

The unit runs and heats but is difficult to use without the display.  It has a bunch of programed and auto-sensor settings that ask for additional parameters (which can be referenced via the user guide but that's not a convenient situation).

Best microwave I ever had.  Large interior, 16" turntable diameter.  I've kept it stashed in the garage but time to dump it ... barring the chance that someone (John/Combo52?) has a saved display board.

Part Number DPWBFC097WRKZ.

 

[turbokinetic]

It's hard to tell in that picture, but that looks like a vacuum-fluorescent display. Those are somewhat known to go bad, in car dash displays and radios etc. There are people who repair them. You may want to check into the automotive guys circles.

 

[lowefficiency]

Do you still have the original part? Is it obvious or apparent where/how it failed?

 

[DADoES]

 
Yes, all the parts are intact.  I disassembled recently (for the first time) to examine but didn't take any photos.  Nothing obviously blown/burned on the board.  Will disassemble again and get photos soon.

The display component doesn't look like a VFL as I recall them (a glass tube/container with a sealed evacuation port/nipple), not like that at all but maybe there's a newer design format?

 

[DADoES]

 
Looks to me that it's LCD, yes?

Pic 3 - ribbon cable at left connects the touchpanel array.

Pic 8 & 9 - the 10 LEDs function as a backlight for the LCD?

Pic 10 - the LCD is translucent.

I suppose it's possible the LED backlight array is the problem, not the LCD itself?  Haven't directly checked that but I suppose it can be done by connecting everything with the LED board off the holder.

 

[lowefficiency]

You're definitely on the right track.
If it's a backlight problem, you should be able to tell by shining a bright flashlight at it from the front side.