Microwave

Symptom

Our microwave stopped heating. The touchpanel still works, the light and turntable still work. But nothing is heated.

Make and model

• Make: General Electric
• Model: JVM2070SH001
• Serial: LF945440S
• vendor product web page: http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=JVM2070SH

Research

Searching for my model brings me to a parts page that lets me search by symptom:

http://www.partselect.com/Models/JVM2070SH001/Symptoms/No-heat/

It says that 86% of the time, my symptom is resolved with a $6 fuse.

Wow, that would be awesome.

vendor's parts and support page: https://www.geapplianceparts.com/store/parts/assembly/JVM2070SH001

• that link also points to owners manual and installation guide

repair attempts

test fuses

The two fuse holders with fuses removed.

• took off the fan louvre from the top front of the unit

That involves removing two screws from the top and then bending the plastic at the hinge points until it pops loose

• took off the metal grill behind the louvre by sliding left and the pulling toward me
• that gave me access to the two fuses: main fuse, and high voltage transformer fuse.
• removed both fuses and they pass continuity test
• replaced the fuses in opposite locations and the symptom of no heat is still present

---

found troubleshooting flowchart in the oven

That tells me a test procedure is to place a cup of water in the microwave and set to reheat vegetable. When I do that test, the microwave runs for about 5 minutes and then a safety timer shuts off the microwave and says that it has exceeded the sensor cook time. I took the water out and it was cold.

Following the flow chart, I end up taking this path:

• Is microwave plugged in and breaker reset? yes
• is display lit? yes
• set clock, place cup of water in unit to cook (I don't have a neon tester)
• unit able to program? yes
• press start
• service breaker trips? no
• water heats? no

That is where I currently sit.

The next step is:

• install clamp on ammeter to internal fuse lead

I was unable to get a read on the voltage at the fuse lead. I'm not sure which fuse they mean and which side is the lead. Or if I should have the microwave running while I test the amperage.

Looking ahead, I see tests for the magnetron which must be serviced by a tech. I also see high voltage diodes and high voltage capacitors.

give up and shop for replacement

dimensions

Measured dimensions of existing microwave

• height: 16.25 inches
• depth: 15.5 inches
• width: 30 inches

Published dimensions:

• 16 11/32 in x 29 7/8 in x 15 7/16 in

specifications

• capacity: 2.0 cubic feet
• cooking wattage: 1100
• halogen lighting
• turntable: 14.25 inches
• weight: 60 pounds

nearest current GE model

• http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=JNM7196SFSS
• $420 suggested retail

Standard Appliance near model

• http://www.standardtvandappliance.com/cooking/microwaves/over-the-range-microwaves/PVM9195SFSS/
• $400

Shopping at Standard Appliance's web page shows that models have gotten smaller and wimpier. The size is now 1.9 cubic feet and wattage is 1000. Down from 2.0 and 1100.

Home depot near model

• http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Profile-1-9-cu-ft-Over-the-Range-Microwave-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Sensor-Cooking-PVM9195SFSS/204478559
• $404
• free delivery and haul away

Home depot searching for best-rated microwave with these specs: 1000 watts, stainless steel, sensor cooking

Maytag is best rated

• http://www.homedepot.com/p/Maytag-2-0-cu-ft-Over-the-Range-Microwave-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Sensor-Cooking-MMV4205DS/205189923?N=5yc1vZc3paZ12l7Z12l8Zbwo5oZ1z0w2zrZ1z0yi14Z1z1412i
• $308

Next is whirlpool

• http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-1-9-cu-ft-Over-the-Range-Microwave-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Sensor-Cooking-WMH32519CS/204818854?N=5yc1vZc3paZ12l7Z12l8Zbwo5oZ1z0w2zrZ1z0yi14Z1z1412i
• $319

• http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-2-0-cu-ft-Over-the-Range-Microwave-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Sensor-Cooking-WMH53520CS/204820417?N=5yc1vZc3paZ12l7Z12l8Zbwo5oZ1z0w2zrZ1z0yi14Z1z1412i
• $348

Next is GE

• http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-1-9-cu-ft-Over-the-Range-Microwave-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Sensor-Cooking-JVM7195SFSS/204507703?N=5yc1vZc3paZ12l7Z12l8Zbwo5oZ1z0w2zrZ1z0yi14Z1z1412i
• $348

Costco has a Maytag model we want

• http://www.costco.com/Maytag%C2%AE-2.0CuFt-%7c-Stainless-Steel-Over-The-Range-Microwave-%7c-with-Sensor-Cooking-%7c-MMV4205DS.product.100125814.html
• $330

Standard Appliance has the top-rated model from Maytag

• http://www.standardtvandappliance.com/cooking/microwaves/over-the-range-microwaves/MMV4205DS/
• $309