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Posted on Feb 22, 2009

Sparks in oven

When I turn the microwave on it sometimes has sparks arcing inside the oven, a hole is burned in plastic window in side where microwaves enter the oven, can the window be replaced? I removed it because it simply snaps out from behind 2 tabs. If I can get a new one will the oven work properly?

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  • Contributor 52 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 23, 2009
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The burning is normally caused by a small particle of food getting stuck on the waveguide cover, this then carbonises and starts to arc. replacing cover should return oven to normal

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1answer

Why is there a burn hole inside the oven, on the cardboard?

That's actually a mica "window" (cover) for the microwaves to come out. And it sounds like the magnetron started arcing and burned a hole in that cover. Either that, or some food (frequently spaghetti sause) got splattered on it, and the microwaves heated it up so much that it burned a hole in the cover. Does the microwave oven still work (heat)? Do you see or hear any arcing? If the microwave oven still works and there is no arcing, you can just replace that cover. Check SearsPartsDirect.com or RepairClinic.com.

If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/ronald_e6b9572cebe3ad27

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When i use the microwave it makes a very loud coughing and spluttering noise and there is a flashing of lights inside. It also smells of smoke. Any help greatly appreciated. I live Bristol, England if they...

proceed according. God bless youIf you see arcing or sparking inside a microwave, turn unit off immediately. Arcing can be caused by having something metal in the oven cavity touching a side, an oven shelf is touching the side of the cavity, an oven shelf support has broken, microwave waveguide, or bad magnetron.
If your microwave has a shelf in it, and you do not use it, keep it out. If one of the shelf supports breaks or comes out, the microwave will arc where the support was. You will have to sand the spot down, paint with appliance paint and re-install support. If the shelf shifts on the support and touches the side it will arc.
Your magnetron waveguide will either come out of the top, or side of the oven cavity. Some will have a stirrer in it(mostly top waveguides) with a panel over, or just a cardboard type cover over it. Over time, the stirrer cover can become warped from the heat which will expose the stirrer's metal shaft which will then cause sparking. These covers and stirrers come in a kit and can be replaced from inside the oven cavity.
Your cover over a side waveguide is coated with a substance on it, and overtime this coating can come off from the heat and moisture in the microwave. These waveguide covers are very easy to replace from inside the oven cavity. Touch up any paint that may have chipped or come off because of the arcing.
If your waveguide cover and/or stirrer are all OK, then the spark is coming from your magnetron. The antenna on your magnetrom has overheated and burned, sending the microwaves out at the wrong angle. If you catch this microwave oven repair early enough, you can usually get by with just replacing the magnetron. If the arcing has caused servere damage inside the waveguide, you will need a new microwave. Waveguides are not replaceable and most you can barely see into them, let alone sand and re-paint. In this case of microwave oven repair, when you remove the magnetron, you will see the burned antenna, or your magnetron will fail the test below.
d5b76960-7487-406d-9f65-e0e29ef0512a.jpg
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Microwave when turn on making a noise and sparks comin from fan area?

follow this steps and fix it. God bless you

Waveguide Cover




If the microwave is sparking or arcing the waveguide cover might be damaged and shorting out. Try removing the waveguide cover and see if the problem goes away. If there are any damaged spots in the microwave ceiling or sidewalls, repair them and paint them with microwave oven paint. Replace the waveguide cover if it is burnt or if it will not stay in place.

Microwave Oven Paint




If the microwave is sparking or arcing on the side walls the paint might have chipped causing pitting in the metal oven wall. Use microwave safe paint to touch up any bare metal spots.

Rack Support




If the microwave is sparking or arcing near one of the rack supports, remove the support, repaint any bare metal, install a new support.

2_6_2013_9_27_28_pm.gif

1helpful
1answer

Kenmore microwave is sparking when you it start and then goes to pause

see this steps and fix it. God bless you
If you see arcing or sparking inside a microwave, turn unit off immediately. Arcing can be caused by having something metal in the oven cavity touching a side, an oven shelf is touching the side of the cavity, an oven shelf support has broken, microwave waveguide, or bad magnetron.
If your microwave has a shelf in it, and you do not use it, keep it out. If one of the shelf supports breaks or comes out, the microwave will arc where the support was. You will have to sand the spot down, paint with appliance paint and re-install support. If the shelf shifts on the support and touches the side it will arc.
Your magnetron waveguide will either come out of the top, or side of the oven cavity. Some will have a stirrer in it(mostly top waveguides) with a panel over, or just a cardboard type cover over it. Over time, the stirrer cover can become warped from the heat which will expose the stirrer's metal shaft which will then cause sparking. These covers and stirrers come in a kit and can be replaced from inside the oven cavity.
Your cover over a side waveguide is coated with a substance on it, and overtime this coating can come off from the heat and moisture in the microwave. These waveguide covers are very easy to replace from inside the oven cavity. Touch up any paint that may have chipped or come off because of the arcing.
If your waveguide cover and/or stirrer are all OK, then the spark is coming from your magnetron. The antenna on your magnetrom has overheated and burned, sending the microwaves out at the wrong angle. If you catch this microwave oven repair early enough, you can usually get by with just replacing the magnetron. If the arcing has caused servere damage inside the waveguide, you will need a new microwave. Waveguides are not replaceable and most you can barely see into them, let alone sand and re-paint. In this case of microwave oven repair, when you remove the magnetron, you will see the burned antenna, or your magnetron will fail the test below.

see the guide for test the magenetron and another component.

10_4_2012_4_21_12_pm.gif10_4_2012_4_21_39_pm.jpg
0helpful
1answer

Sparks when starting then goes to pause mode

see this next steps. God bless you
If you see arcing or sparking inside a microwave, turn unit off immediately. Arcing can be caused by having something metal in the oven cavity touching a side, an oven shelf is touching the side of the cavity, an oven shelf support has broken, microwave waveguide, or bad magnetron.
If your microwave has a shelf in it, and you do not use it, keep it out. If one of the shelf supports breaks or comes out, the microwave will arc where the support was. You will have to sand the spot down, paint with appliance paint and re-install support. If the shelf shifts on the support and touches the side it will arc.
Your magnetron waveguide will either come out of the top, or side of the oven cavity. Some will have a stirrer in it(mostly top waveguides) with a panel over, or just a cardboard type cover over it. Over time, the stirrer cover can become warped from the heat which will expose the stirrer's metal shaft which will then cause sparking. These covers and stirrers come in a kit and can be replaced from inside the oven cavity.
Your cover over a side waveguide is coated with a substance on it, and overtime this coating can come off from the heat and moisture in the microwave. These waveguide covers are very easy to replace from inside the oven cavity. Touch up any paint that may have chipped or come off because of the arcing.
If your waveguide cover and/or stirrer are all OK, then the spark is coming from your magnetron. The antenna on your magnetrom has overheated and burned, sending the microwaves out at the wrong angle. If you catch this microwave oven repair early enough, you can usually get by with just replacing the magnetron. If the arcing has caused servere damage inside the waveguide, you will need a new microwave. Waveguides are not replaceable and most you can barely see into them, let alone sand and re-paint. In this case of microwave oven repair, when you remove the magnetron, you will see the burned antenna, or your magnetron will fail the test below.

10_4_2012_4_24_00_pm.gif10_4_2012_4_24_28_pm.jpg
1helpful
1answer

My LG/Dometic MICROWAVE sparks inside the cooking area when turned on

see the next steps and follow with common sense: God bless you
Microwave is arcing If you see arcing or sparking inside a microwave, turn unit off immediately. Arcing can be caused by having something metal in the oven cavity touching a side, an oven shelf is touching the side of the cavity, an oven shelf support has broken, microwave waveguide, or bad magnetron.
If your microwave has a shelf in it, and you do not use it, keep it out. If one of the shelf supports breaks or comes out, the microwave will arc where the support was. You will have to sand the spot down, paint with appliance paint and re-install support. If the shelf shifts on the support and touches the side it will arc.
Your magnetron waveguide will either come out of the top, or side of the oven cavity. Some will have a stirrer in it(mostly top waveguides) with a panel over, or just a cardboard type cover over it. Over time, the stirrer cover can become warped from the heat which will expose the stirrer's metal shaft which will then cause sparking. These covers and stirrers come in a kit and can be replaced from inside the oven cavity.
Your cover over a side waveguide is coated with a substance on it, and overtime this coating can come off from the heat and moisture in the microwave. These waveguide covers are very easy to replace from inside the oven cavity. Touch up any paint that may have chipped or come off because of the arcing.
If your waveguide cover and/or stirrer are all OK, then the spark is coming from your magnetron. The antenna on your magnetrom has overheated and burned, sending the microwaves out at the wrong angle. If you catch this microwave oven repair early enough, you can usually get by with just replacing the magnetron. If the arcing has caused servere damage inside the waveguide, you will need a new microwave. Waveguides are not replaceable and most you can barely see into them, let alone sand and re-paint. In this case of microwave oven repair, when you remove the magnetron, you will see the burned antenna, or your magnetron will fail the test bel
7_27_2012_3_56_27_pm.gif7_27_2012_3_57_12_pm.gif
0helpful
1answer

Magnetron has 2 small holes in antenna due to previous wave guide being dirty.Is the microwave still safe to use,no sparks or arcing.

Some magnetrons have holes in the antenna by design. If these are clean holes on opposite sides near the RF gasket then they belong there. If the holes are obviously burn damage but don't cause any improper operation, the oven is safe to use.
1helpful
3answers

Arcing inside and there is now a small hole on the panel side. Is this fixable?

Hi,

It looks like there's lightning (arcing) inside my microwave When you see arcing inside your microwave, it's because of food or liquid left in the cavity or on the wave-guide cover:

  • If the wave guide has any burn spots, replace it and clean the unit well.

  • If the cavity has any burn spots, spot-sand it smooth and touch it up with microwave interior paint.

Note… If there are any burn holes in the cavity, don't use the unit-seek help from a qualified appliance repair technician.

Thanks for contacting Fixya
3helpful
1answer

Microwave is arcing on the antenna blade.

Arcing is often the result of the cover over the magnatron (The thing that produces the microwaves) being aged, burned or damaged. If you look inside the oven, you will see a cover (usually square or round and around 3-5 inches across depending on the machine)made from a flakey silver plastic/fibre material. If this is burned or has a hole, it needs replacing and this will probably cure your problem.
0helpful
1answer

Sparks, noise and burning smell

If it is burning and arcing at the antenna, it is probably arcing in the wave guide area. Probably will have to replace unit. I have had some success by removing the antenna, sanding and repainting the burnt areas of the cavity and sanding off any burnt marks on the antenna. Need to look at top of mag to see if also arcing there too.
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