I've diagnosed my limp microwave as a failed magnetron (thank you internet).

I can get the parts for $70 (GE or OEM) on Amazon vs $250-315 from online appliance part vendor. I'm fairly confident I can remove the entire assembly from the cabinetry, taking all precautions (turn off breaker etc).

The trick appears to be in order to access the three or four screws that hold the magnetron in place, I've got to get under the microwave. To me, that means I have to separate the microwave from the oven. My guess is that there are brackets holding the two units together. I don't know if the two units are also wired together (wire harness or power supply).

Any suggestions? The GE installation manual is very basic and doesn't offer much help.

I can gamble for $70, have a repairman come out for $400-600, or replace the entire unit for $2000-2700.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Russ59,

There is probably a high voltage capacitor in there that you will need to be sure discharged to make it safe to work on. You might also need to replace a diode.

Also make sure the shielding gets put back in the right spots.

It’s been a few years since i replaced one.

It could also be the capacitor that has failed. A lot cheaper to replace.

I wish you the best of luck with the repair, I just divorced GE from my life over one of there Microwaves. They can kiss my a$&

If it says monogram on it, the best fix is replacing it.

Oct 23, 2017 - Haier bought GE Appliances for US$5.6 billion.

A good top rated microwave/convection oven is a few hundred dollars.

Check Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Panason...231d4&language=en_US

over the range micro wave?
or counter top?

+1 on the high voltage capacitor. I understand the voltage can be lethal.

quote:

or replace the entire unit for $2000-2700

why do you need such an expensive microwave?

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:

quote:

or replace the entire unit for $2000-2700

why do you need such an expensive microwave?

Why do you need such an expensive gun?

Over/under microwave/oven combos are expensive, there are no cheap ones. Even the shitty ones are expensive.

It’s a Profile microwave and oven combo in the cabinet. Most searches attribute the failure to the magnetron or HVD.

I had a whirlpool microwave that would work inconsistently. Thought it was the capacitor - Nope
Tried the magnetron - Nope

Turns out the cooling fan was hitting the shroud and not turning. The magnetron would trip the thermal overload. Let it sit and it would work again for a coupe minuets then stop. Very frustrating to diagnose.

Well, I replaced the magnetron and the high voltage diode. But now I don't have any power. I don't have everything reassembled, so I'm hoping once I put on all the shields etc, it will power up. However, I do have power to the oven.

I hope I didn't fry the HV capacitor when I discharged it (according to Youtube videos).

did you check the door switches

It's fixed.

I was stymied by the fact that the microwave wouldn't power up while the entire unit was out of the cabinet. Only the oven would power up (the clock appears, didn't test whether the oven would warm up). So I assumed I had a problem somewhere. I went back to the parts guy and we bench tested key components (TCOs, ceramic fuse, door switches, etc). At this point, I had replaced the magnetron, high voltage diode, and capacitor for about $105 (online and from the parts guy). His last recommendation was to buy a new board at $266.

I decided to hold off on the new board. I reassembled the entire unit and installed it. Powered right up. The microwave cycled through some start up procedure, but otherwise was fine.

Boiled two cups of water just fine. The oven heated to 350F no problem.

So I avoided a new unit ($1800-2500) and got it fixed for $105 and some sweat equity.

Russ

Nice repair.