Top 10 GE XL1800 1100 Watts Microwave Oven Questions & Answers

F3 on a GE microwave indicates a defective keypad.

The keypad is a thin plastic membrane type that is glued to the plastic control panel frame.

If none or only some of the pads are working, there may be some foreign substance on the circuit board, the keypad connection, or inside the layers of the keypad, the latter of which cannot be repaired.

Trouble is sometimes due to spray cleaner being sprayed directly onto the keypad. Cleaner should be sprayed on the cloth first, then use the cloth to wipe the keypad clean.

Never use an ammonia-based cleaner on plastic as the ammonia can attack and crack it.

A handy person can remove the control panel frame and see if there's any liquid inside on or behind the panel. If so, it is possible to dry it out, but often that does not work.

Another thing is to unlpug the power at the mains for several seconds. Plug it back in and see if it works. A reset may do it.

At power-up, the display should flash or show a text message. If not, a key may be stuck due to a foreign substance or a defective keypad.

If certain keys are not working, there may be some foreign substance at the point where the green or blue plastic strip from the keypad plugs into the circuit board.

To check that, see our critical safety, disassembly, and troubleshooting info at our site. You'll find a link to our site in our
listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

1. Be sure the oven is disconnected from the power line while you are taking it apart.

2. The keypad connection is the green or blue translucent plastic strip that plugs into a connector near the edge of the board.

3. There are two tiny tabs (one on each side) of the connector that you can gently pull up on to unlock the connector.

4. Then the keypad strip will lift out. Clean both sides of the end of the strip with a pencil eraser or alcohol-based cleaner if you like, but do not use ammonia-based cleaner. Dry the end of the strip.

5. Put the keypad strip back in, making sure both sides are down fully.

6. While holding the strip down, push the connector back down to lock it.

7. Try the keys again with the door closed.

You can usually find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383

We're happy to help and we appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

no microwave 1.5 yrs old has a belt - they're all motor driven

So, you cleaned the burner per the manual (or the one you looked at when visiting the appliance store,) and it still flames out right after coming on? Sometimes things catch in the works and there are a few methods to clear them out (e.g. at the controls) depending on the model. Beyond that,in order to disconnect the stove and check the inlet filters, you might want to call the appliance or gas co for a technician. No use having leaks, searching forever for the main shutoff valve, etc.

model # JVM1870BF001 GE Profile spacemaker XL 1800 microwave

after episode of using defrost which burned food--now stopped heating--still has power/fan--don't know how to change fuse--please help

I had the same problem with mine, and discovered, somehow, that when I manually turned on the "vent fan", the microwave worked fine. A bit of a pain, but it heated up the food when it hadn't been prior to the vent fan being on. Can't understand why it solved it, but it's been working like that for about a year now. When I forget to turn on the vent fan though, the food is just as cold as when I put it in.

the magnetron needs replacement my friend, although you can still heat up food but eventually it will soon fail.
appreciate your kind comment

If the microwave functions normally while cooking everything else, but is only burning popcorn, there is no component problem that will cause this. You cannot adjust or replace any internal component to make it not burn popcorn. All power levels and program options are contolled by the consumer at the control panel. Refer to your owner;s manual for their recommendations.

If the oven is equipped with a popcorn feature button, it is programmed for a recommended power level and time. This is an ESTIMATED program feature. The manufacturers of both the oven and the popcorn will also give directions that tell you to turn the oven off when the popping slows to about a pop every 2 seconds. Failure to do so can result in burning.

If the microwave does not come with a popcorn feature button, the manufacturers of the popcorn have directions on the outside of the box that tell you what POWER LEVEL and TIME to set the oven on for the desired result. Again, the you still have to listen as the bag pops to ensure it does not burn.

In addition, on some microwave ovens, there is a feature that allows you to select the SIZE of the popcorn bag. Some popcorn manufacturers have smaller snack size bags that don't take as long to pop. You have to select the appropriate size to get the correct program option.

In any case, you never are to place popcorn in a microwave oven and walk away from it. All these program features are ESTIMATIONS based on manufacturers testing and recommendations for the best results. All microwave ovens are different and operate at different power levels. Your best judge is to listen as it pops.

I hope this helps you.

We see (and repair) this a lot. The problem is electrolytic capacitor that fails on the control circuit board, which we regularly repair nationwide by mail for $39.95 postpaid with a one-year repair guarantee.

At our Web site, you can get details of our service, plus we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

l would not use it until you have it opened and inspected---there is always the possible chance of fire and no need to risk that---unplug it and do not use until it gets looked at.

PCM/Smart board (comes with the keypad), If it is less that 30 days beyound the 12 month warranty call GE and ask for a "good will concession" ... 1800-GECARES