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Troubleshooting >>
Appliance Repair Troubleshooting DIY or Start Your
Electric Range Troubleshooting
Problem:
Burner will not heat.
Checking the Burner:
1. Remove the burner, make sure contacts at end of burner are clean and not pitted or burnt.
2. Use your OHM Meter set on OHMS Scale, touch both probes to each other to test for deflection on the meter.
3. Place one probe on each end of the burner. The meter should show continuity.
If you have continuity and the burner contact is clean you may have a bad receptacle.
Checking the Receptacle:
1. Look inside receptacle with a small flash light.
A. Contacts should be shiny and not burnt or broken
B. If burnt or broken change receptacle.
Checking the Burner Switch:
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS CHECK OF THE BURNER SWITCH!
1. Set your meter to AC Voltage.
2. Insert meter probe at rear of terminal block one probe at each end of the wire where they enter the terminal block.
3. Turn the burner switch to on.
4. If you have no voltage; you have a bad selector switch and it must be changed.
Always provide your parts distributor with the model # of the unit. Always specify if it’s for a 6” burner or an 8” burner. Also specify if the switch is a push to turn on type of selector.
For the time being I suggest you order the exact replacement it will cost you a little more but it will give you the expertise in the beginning. Later on you will order a universal switch kit which is very good, but requires more figuring out what parts in the kit to use.
Problem:
Bake Element will not heat.
1. Before going ahead with this repair make sure the power is turned off!!
2. You will follow the same procedure as checking the burner.
3. To gain access to the wiring for testing the bake element you will have to remove the back panel. Again, make sure the power is off (the range is unplugged).
4. Danger, be very careful when checking for live voltage at the back of range.
A. Your meter should be on AC setting 150 to 300 volts.
B. Take your reading from one leg of wire to center neutral on the terminal block.
I. You should have 110 volts from one and 110 volts from the other leg, equaling the 220 volts that are needed for the range to operate. This will tell you if you have power from your circuit breaker up through the line to the point where it enters the range.
II. If you don’t have a reading, of 220 volts total check the circuit breakers turn them on and off. If the customer has cartridge fuses remove the fuse, and check the fuse for continuity with your OHMS meter. If the fuse checks good the customer need to call and electrician. The problem is within the electrical supply system for the range.
5. If there is no power to the bake element 90% of the time it is the thermostat. But always make sure the clock on the range and controls are set to synchronize this operation. Change the thermostat.
A. A faulty thermostat can also be indicated by food that burns or under cooks, or takes too long on the setting in the customer normally uses.
Problem:
Broil element will not heat.
Broil element does not work on a thermostat principal it stays on all the time and is not regulated by the thermostat, which turns on and
off when in the bake mode.
1. If you have no continuity from the broiler element you need to change the broiler element.
2. If you have continuity but the element does not come on make sure the clock setting are synchronized for the oven to work at the time you are trying to test it.
3. If the clock is set right and you still have nothing to the broiler element,
but have continuity for the element itself then check the selector switch.
Problem:
Range will not heat but indicator lights go on.
Check your cartridge fuses or circuit breakers. If good check for 220 volts at the terminal block at the back of the range where the power connects.
Problem:
Clock does not work.
Range and even self-clean can be used but customer will have to turn self-clean on and off manually and time it.
Problem:
Shocks.
This mean something is shorting to ground.
1. A broken wire on a terminal that is faulty.
If the problem cannot be located. Disconnect power to the range write on the customers receipt “Danger, Fire Hazard, DO NOT turn power on.” Explain this to the customer and have them SIGN THE RECEIPT.
Problem:
Oven door falls open.
Broken Spring or Cam-Bar defective.
1. Remove draw at bottom of range to locate problem.
2. Use the model # when ordering new parts.
Problem:
Glass Broken in the Oven door.
This can be a very expensive and time consuming repair. I use the kitchen table and towels to protect the door-glass-and table at the customer’s home.
There is not set procedure for this repair. If the door slips up and off that makes it much easier for you. Use great care when doing this repair.
Take your time. The less distractions or people around you the better.
(revised 3/2010)
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