Touch control failed on GE Spacemaker Microwave HVM1540

Jim I suggest contacting GE directly with this issue 1-800-433-2682 or www.geappliances.com

Hello :

Many models of the GE microwave have sensors that can detect humidity from the foods you are cooking. This allows the microwave to make adjustments to the power levels used to cook your food. If "Sensor Error" appears, you should either press "Clear" to cancel the mode or leave the food in the appliance longer to give the microwave more time to detect the food.

Press "Time Cook" to manually enter the time if you receive an error message when trying to use the "Sensor Reheat" mode of your GE microwave. The error message may be caused by the food item being too large or too small to detect..

good luck .

please rate !

you will need the magnetron replaced $150-$180 price range part and labor

If you have pads failing on the membrane keypad or an "F3" error, you can buy the control panel assembly with a new keypad already attached here.

(You will need to enter your full model number from the tag in or on the unit, such as HVM1540WW001, etc.)

If you have other trouble, and it is the control board ("smart board") that is at fault, you can buy a new one here or you can get it repaired here for only $39.95 in most cases.

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

William E. Miller, AS-EET
[email protected]
http://www.microwavedisplay.com
Microwave Oven Control Panel Repair Nationwide

The first thing I would suggest is a hard reset. Unplug the unit for a minute or so. Then plug it back in, set the clock and try again.

If that doesn't work, leave it unplugged for maybe an hour.

If it still doesn't seem to work, I'd consult the owner's manual for a quick refresher. You can find it here.

If it still fails to cook at full power, I'd say your magnetron is failing.

And if so, to allow us to help you effectively (at no charge), please post a NEW problem to FixYa, and please include your brand name and the full model number from the tag in or on the unit, and your previous symptoms:

"I have a GE Spacemaker and used defrost for the first time at Thanksgiving. Now I can't turn it back to normal cooking. Can you please help me?"

You have to set a time (any time) to use.

Press CLOCK, press number 2 then 2 then 2 again and then press CLOCK again. Does it say 2:22?

Everything should now work.

Do not run Empty, do not use any metal in there and do not use alot (MW kills all the vitamins and nutrition in food - like eating MUD for your body) .... and don't forget to reset the CLOCK ;-)

More than likely the magnetron has failed. This could be for a number of reason. Do you use your microwave to heat wheat packs or warm plates? If so, you may have dried the magnetron out (they use the moisture in whatever you're cooking to heat it, and plates/wheat bags have no moisture).

I'd say a trip to your local Microwave repairer could be in order. It could also be the High Voltage Fuse which has failed. Either way a repairer will be able to tell you!

On GE models, "SENSOR ERROR" appears on the display when:

• Using the sensor feature, the door was opened before steam could be detected. Do not open the door until stream is sensed and time is shown counting down on the display.

• Steam was not detected in the maximum amount of time. Use Time Cook to heat for more time.

Otherwise, yes, it may have a bad humidity sensor (gas sensor, as it's called) which needs to be replaced.

You can usually find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number here.

You should enter your model number as JEM31GA02.

There should be a "mini-manual" (tech sheet) hidden inside the unit behind the control panel or elsewhere inside, which is very helpful when troubleshooting, testing, and locating components.

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

The Control Panel is failing. The Control Panel consists of a Keypad, and a Control PC (Printed Citcuit) Board. You can replace it as a complete unit. Not Cheap!!
Good Luck!

F-3 means shorted touch panel pad. In order to attempt clearing the code yourself, please follow the steps below:

1. Press CLEAR/OFF or CANCEL.
2. Program control again.
3. If the fault code appears again, disconnect power to the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Program the cooking function again.
5. IF it comes back up you should change out the panel hope that helps, good luck