Microwave shuts off after a few seconds

Nov 22, 2007. I also had the 3 second shut off problem with my G/E 1650 MWO. Read all the above and tried them all. Finally I just took a 8" x 8" piece of Reynolds Wrap Aluminum foil and but it in an zip lock bag and placed it behind the control panel. It's been working for 2 weeks now. Just take out the 2 screws that hold the vent across the front right above the door. Next on the right side is one screw, take it out and then gently lift the control panel (panel with the buttons) about 1/2" and it will fold out and stay there. put the zip lock bag inside. Close it back up. I'd test it before replacing all the screws. You don't need to un-plug anything. Just don't stick your fingers on all the exposed parts...Mine works great now and didn't cost $0.10.

We have had the same problem. The microwave cuts off after 3 seconds or so (sometimes longer). I also found that leaning the controller out "fixed" the problem. With some minor technical background, and after reading information here and other places on the net, I concluded that somehow RF energy was now getting into the controller and resetting it. Leaning the controller out put enough distance or changed the angle enough that the RF energy wouldn't affect the controller any more. I tried the suggestion about using the static-conducting plastic bags that computer circuit boards and hard drives are packaged in. I had an old hard drive lying around so I borrowed the bag, slit it down the sides so it was flat, then placed it behind the board. I taped it in place so it wouldn't move, moved the controller board back into position and "V-O-I-L-A"!!! Works like a champ!!! In the 7 days since I "fixed" it, not one single failure. The spouse is very pleased, and I didn't have to buy a replacement oven. By the way, I WOULDN'T suggest using aluminum foil. It can conduct electricity, unlike the static-conducting plastic bags, and putting a conducting substance in close proximity to a circuit board is a new problem looking for a place to happen! Jim

The foil behind the control panel is the solution that worked for me. Don't do what I did and remove the microwave from the wall. First unplug the microwave. Then just remove two philips screws from the outside grill and then the screw holding the control panel in place. Push the panel up and out. Take some foil paper double it up make a tear on the bottom to get around the wire harness and BINGO the problem is fixed. I was thinking about buying a new one but now it works like new. Save me lots of money. thanks

In my professional opinion, I would suspect a bad connection or component on the control circuit board, a bad door switch, or a failing thermal cutout / thermostat. The primary cause of door switch failure is opening the door while the oven is cooking instead of hitting the STOP key first. You can search Yahoo.com for my text file "doorsw.txt" to get important safety info and help with diagnosis of door switches in case you or a friend wants to check and replace them. The thermostat or thermal cutout is a device that shuts off due to excessive heat. There are types are resettable and those which are not. I have attached a photo to illustrate. They are usually located under the cover on top of the cooking cavity and/or above the magnetron. If the problem is the control panel, we do repair them nationwide for $32.50. Once you've digested this information, if you still ned help, please follow up. Good luck and be safe!

My microwave (JVM1653) is also shutting down after the magnetron kicks in. I have been having trouble getting the tech to believe that it is shutting down (as it wouldn't do it for him). I decided to video tape the incident and discoverd MASIVE RFI in my video camera from the microwave which corresponds directly to the display/controller dropping out. There is no way the microwave should be emitting enough RFI to mess up the video camera at 5 - 10'. I suspect that is why the fellow mounting the controller @45 degrees is working. I also suspect that placing a shield around the controller would have the same effect. I will see when the tech comes today if they replace the magnetron and why it is leaking so much RF.

I install these microwaves for lowes and i come across different micros that have different problems and the customers let me have them all time since im replacing them with new ones so i have about 20 micros in my garage and i fix most of them. this 3 second shutdown problem everyone is posting about is common with 04,and05 models I replaced the control panels with good ones but the problems still existed so I replaced the magnetron and it was solved, so long story short replace the magnetron, or try the foil trick but it has to be placed just right to work but the safety in that method is not to good.

Microwave was shutting down radomly; maybe 2 or 3 seconds and then sometimes it would work fine for several minutes. I put the foil in a plastice zip lock back and put it behind the control panel, over the printed circuit board. I have tried it several times and it is working fine. If it works all day tomorrow, I will call it fixed. I will update at that time. I thought the zip-loc bad was a safer way of bringing the foil into the solution;

Mine has been doing the samething for a awhile now i come across this solution and BingoBango!!! The foil work like a charm. And just think I was about to go look at buying a new Microwave. Just think: These microwaves are in my entire subdivision (im sure yours always) GE should atleast put out a NOTE, or a Bulletin. Imagine the people who are getting this fix for $100/$200 bucks and this fix should be free. Just past the fix along. FOIL is the fix.!

I am having the same 3-second reset on my GE model# jvm1653. This unit mfg date is May 2005, and has been in use for about 2-years now.

I took out the control panel and wiggled/re-secured each connection, then placed a computer hard-drive antistatic bag behind the control panel (as described above), and the microwave has been working for a couple of days without failure.

How concerned should we all be with RFI (or EMI) leakage?

How can we get satisfaction from GE?

Mike K figured it might be caused by RF leaking fromm the magnetron, which apparently doesn't bother the controller when its tilted at an angle. I had the exact same problem. I stuck a piece of aluminum foil behind my control panel to shield it. Voila! It actually works now! Now the $65,000 question - is this dangerous?

Putting the foil behind the control panel worked for me , It fixed the problem immediately.
I hope it keeps working.
JC

Aluminum Foil in Ziploc Bag taped behind controller. Keep aluminum foil from direct contact with controller. Very good thread of solutions. thanks all.

Ok This is just too weird! I have the same problem with my GE after 3 seconds it resets and goes back to the enter time prompt! I have been plying with the control panel for days with no luck! Putting it in, taking it out, playing with the connections and nothing worked. I got it too work by putting the control panel at the 45 degree angle as described and it works again! OK I have been an engineer for 30 years and I can't make any sense of this!! Please help!

I just tried the foil in a baggy idea and it work. Thanks very much for the idea

Just a comment... Thanks for the help everybody, I had this exact same problem, and in like 5 minutes, I put foil behind the control panel and the problem was fixed. I was really worried that I would have to spend hundreds of dollars to fix this stupid microwave, and it turns out that all it took was 5 minutes of my time... thanks again!!

I had the exact same problem with my spacemaker XL shutting off after 3 seconds. It worked as well with the control panel at 45 degrees. So we tried putting a piece of foil in a zip lock bag and placed it behind the control panel. Voila it worked!! I'm a little scared though about the safety of it...but it beats the cost of replacing it!

I also used the hard drive packaging and put it behind the control panel.  Worked great.  Also looking into class-action suit.  It's already in litigation for GE refrigerators and they may be looking to add microwaves.  Hope there is a lot of interest.

I had the identical problem as others in this thread (mine's a JVM1660), and was able to get the oven to work by dropping the front panel. Not particularly attractive, so I tried the foil solution but it didn't work for me. With the panel dropped I could see occasional arcing in the fins of the magnetron while it was running. This was doubly annoying to me, since the original magnetron died two years ago and it cost me $100 labor for the "free" warranty replacement. One of the plastic front panel tabs eventually broke, and about the time I was running out of answers I was able to lay my hands on a junker oven for parts. Thinking that I'd replace the magnetron, I discovered the source of the problem when I took my oven apart. One of the magnetron magnets had a small piece broken out of it, and the piece was sitting between the magnet and the adjacent heat sink fin. I removed the piece, but the oven still died. So I went ahead and installed the replacement magnetron from the junker oven - problem completely solved! Except for the broken magnet, the flaky magnetron appeared intact and passed all electrical checks. Consequently I don't think there was any RF leakage from the interior of the magnetron or the waveguide, but I believe that RF emissions from the arcing fins were crashing the control board. I suspect that magnetron operation must be extremely sensitive to the symmetry of the magnetic field, which was affected by the missing piece. I'm guessing that the ceramic magnet had a flaw and eventually failed due to the mechanical stress of continual heat cycles. I kept the magnets from my original magnetron failure two years ago, and may try to rebuild the flaky one as a spare.

Just had the same problem as everyone. After 3 seconds unit off and date/time set mode. After reading some information here I decide to try the aluminum foil paper. But wait... when I bought last year a new video card for my computer, it came inside a "plastic/aluminum bag". Instructions said to keep it there to avoid any kind of electricity or magnetism to damage the board before installation. I kept that bag just in case. Know what? I just used that bag to cover control panel (inside) and now microwave works like a charm again!!! Try going to computer store. They should have something similar just trashed.

I also had the same problem with the GE microwave. My first repair attempt was to punch the control panel... that was unsuccessful but made the owner feel much better! I should have known better than to buy another GE product (I hate their phones). I took the control pad off and let it hang there and the thing worked. I put the control pad back on and it stopped working again after 3 seconds and had to reset the time for the um-teenth time. I took the pad back-off and placed a sheet of foil behind it and it is now working again. Thanks for the tip!

I too am having this issue with my JVC1650. It seemed like removing the rotating plate provided some relief but now it is at the point of not ever working. I have found a resonably priced source for a new magnetron unit and intend to take the old one out and replace it myself. Is this something I can do at home or is it potentially unsafe? I have young children and do not want to sterilize anyone or otherwise jeopardize their health. I am handy but if it is going to be unsafe I'll buy some non-GE unit and turn this thing into a door stop.

I am having similar problem too. I have a GE Profile Spacemaker 2.0. The microwave shuts off after 3 seconds. Used to happen occasionally before. But, it is happening more frequently now. I called GE Answering center and they suspect it is a failed sensor and asked me to try unplug the power for 30 mins and retry. I tried that and still got the problem. Next, I opened the control panel and left it at resting position (45 degree angle) and the microwave seem to work fine. Please let me know if you have any suggestions and/or recommendations. My microwave is less than 2 years old and already the plastic part inside the grille broke and had to get it replaced (Costs around $100). I am really frustrated with this unit. -John

Our 1 1/2 year old GE Microwave (same model) has the same symptoms and is no longer working either. Very poor product and equally poor customer service is what we've found. We trouble-shooted down to it being a problem on the circuit board. The user 'MicrowaveSvc' gives misleading information -- the $32 repair mentioned is probably for the service call only. I looked on the web for the board itself and can't find the board for less than $192. Parts and labor over $200 -- on a $300 item -- doesn't make sense to repair. I have found many eopinions to be very poor for GE microwaves and service. We will just be junking our's and not buying GE appliances again. For that matter we'll be advising others to do the same.

My microwave also stopped after a few seconds, and sometimes would restart on its own and sometimes it required opening and closing the door, or tapping the side of the microwave. After reading through the various solutions for the stopping problem, the aluminum foil sounded like a quick easy fix. HOWEVER, my knowledge of how microwaves work made me leery of using foil to deflect the waves. Upon inspection of the metal brace connected to the magnetron, I noticed it was only attached at the top with no place for a screw or tab to connect it at the bottom. It was basically dangling from the top, with an opening which allowed the waves to reach the control panel. I used aluminum tape to secure the brace in two places at the bottom. Since putting my microwave back together, it has worked flawlessly and I have peace of mind knowing I'm not directing unwanted waves where they don't belong.

TRY IT! Had the same problem with my GE Profile OTR Microwave (PVM2070) shutting off after a few seconds or even minutes and resetting back to 'set time' or screen going completely blank and having to unplug then plug back in. Drove the family crazy! Was already about to shop for another appliance when I found this string : )
BINGO! This trick with the foil in a freezer bag fixed the problem. I could not believe it. Only took me 10 minutes.
Note: No need to take the microwave off the wall.
- Drop (tilt) it down to get to the screws, I used a big box and removed the 3 large bolts that held the front of the microwave inside the cabinet.
- Tilt the front of it enough to expose the top vent screws. Take off the top vent, pop the control panel down.
- CAREFULLY place the bag, or as I now call it, "SHIELD" - SavedHavingtoInvestinExpensiveLikeDevice, behind the control panel.
- SHIELD was comprised of one sheet of aluminum foil folded over once, then cut down to fit inside a gallon ziplock freezer bag, flat.
- Make sure the SHIELD blocks the magnetron or entire control panel once closed.
Its been two weeks and no recurrences of shutting off. Saved me $600+. Try it! Thank you all for this - really!!

I had the shutting down problem too and thought the foil solution was whacky, but after replacing the overtemp sensor on the magnetron with no luck, I put a doubled over piece of aluminum foil in a Ziplock sandwich bag and positioned it over the control board. Dang, it worked!
I
I did pull the unit down and removed the cover to do this.

The foil inside the ziplock worked for me. I also punched the control panel one day due to this it cost me $165. online for a new one. Good luck to everyone who bought this GE junk like I did $400 for a microwave we barely use, I cant spend anymore to fix this clunker. The next one wont be GE. good luck

I read the thread and was afraid of the foil solution. I shut off the power at the breaker and removed the control panel. Wiggled the wires and put the control panel back in place. Turned on power, shut off in 3 secs as usual. I then shut off the breaker for 1/2 hr and put the control panel at 45 deg, by the way it is hinged to hang at 45. It ran fine and did not see any sparks and the fan worked fine. I then put it back together and it kept working fine! Hopefully, it keeps working.

I called GE and was told that the problem is that they had a series of bad magnatron tubes in various models. The shutoff is a safety feature and to not bypass it by putting foil around the control panel. You are just reflecting the microwaves into other spots. Most likely not where they should be. They are not inclined to give one away for free. They recommend replacing both the magnatron and the control panel. ..... On your dime!!! or should I say your credit card!

If i follow the tin foil solution in a baggie taped behind the controller and it works, their is some doubt in my mind that their could be leakage. Being less than 2 years old maybe it isn't likely. Still have to figure out how to get the case open as it has tamper proof screws, little pin in the middle.

Not really a solution here, but support for the RF leak theory. I was having the problem where the microwave would shut off after three seconds. My wife kept resetting the clock and trying this over and over with the same results. Finally I walked into the kitchen with my Directv remote and tried to start the microwave, after three seconds it shut off and I went back to watching TV and guess what my RF remote did not work. I had to reset my receiver to get the remote to work! I just thought this was interesting.

I have the same JVM1650 microwave with the same problem.....3 seconds and done. After reading the posts, I decided to give the door just a little pressure to keep it solid. Once the 3 seconds have come and gone, I release the slight pressure on the door and the cooking continues till done. Works for now. We shall see about the long term effects of this method. Cost= $0.00

I was experiencing the exact same problems with my microwave. After reading the posts on this web site I decided to take a chance and try and replace the magnetron. I found the part on a sears parts web site that had a great exploded view of the entire microwave so I ordered just the magnetron for approxamately $238.00 including shipping cost. I was nervus about investing this much in something that was not guarenteed to fix my problem. I disassembled the microwave cover and quickly identified the magnetron on the right rear upper portion of the assembly. I removed the 3 electrical connections and the 4 nuts that hold it in place. I had to force the magnetron past the white plastic which I think is the wave guide. Once removed I transferred the temperature switch that is attached to the magnetron by 2 screws and installed on the new one prior to installation. The new magnetron came with a copper mesh looking gastket on top. Again I had to force the magnetron into place past the white plastic wave guide. I used the nuts to pull the magnetron into place. Then I attached the electrical connectors that I removed and did a trial test to see if the microwave would run for more than just 3 seconds. So far so good. I replaced the cover and reinstalled the microwave above my oven and tyied to heat a glass of water. Finally after months of dealing with this problem I was back in buisness. Works like a champ. And for the guy looking for the schematic. I found one located inside the case wrapped up in an envelope.

We have had the same problem described here. We added a heave ceramic pie plate to the turn talbe and it now works 90% of the time. Without it almost never. The problem in one of its incarnations is clearly connected to the turntable.

I have read elsewhere of identical symptoms and failure when also cooking popcorn as happened with me. FUC|< GE!

I Have the Same Microwave and the same problem as above. Mine is only a year old. Plus my nieghbors have the same microwave and they had to have there's repaired also. on the back of the owner's manual it says the magnetron tube is covered for 9 years. But you must pay labor and service trip.

Hi there is a door switch faulty .it is called the monitor switch it normally open or alternatively arelay onfront panel dry jointed

I just got my 1-1/2 year old GE JVM1650 OTR microwave fixed today. Mine also had the same problem where it would run for about 3 seconds, then shut off. The problem surfaced one time after about 1 year of use, then started happening more often, until finally it just wouldn't cook food anymore. The repairman said the magnetron was leaking RFI (it's actually EMI) onto the control panel. He replaced the magnetron, and it works just fine now. The best part was, I didn't have to pay a dime for the parts and the labor.

Wow. I can't believe I found a fellow GE victim. I just wanted to post to find out how Travis resolved his problem. I went through the EXACT series of events with my GE SpacemakerXL EMO3000. It started shutting down intermittently and finally lent itself to shutting down after three seconds when the Magnetron kicks on. The real oddity is that mine works without fail if I open the control panel to it's resting position at 45 degrees and run the microwave...just as Travis describes. I originally assumed that the air intake was clogged and did not allow proper air flow over the magnetron, but upon inspection, it was pretty clean... GE has offered to come out and fix it for essentially the price of a new unit...no thanks. If there are no GEniuses out there who can help, I'll have to settle for a new unit. Thanks for your help.