KitchenAid KCMS145J Microwave Door Latch Broke

It sounds like the door spring had broken. Take the covers off and it should be apparent what had happened. It may be a part you can get at the hardware store or it may be an OEM part.

on my microwave, the door sticks some times & I put my fingers under door on latch side & push up, & I can hear it release & open. other than that there may be a broken part. follow the link below.
KitchenAid Microwave Door Won Open

It is micro switch when you close the door, the door latch push in a button on the micro switch take lid off open and close the door and see if you can spot a button not popping out properly or the latch not in line with the switch

Hello,To get the door open and salvage your dinner, take a long thin blade ( I used a frosting spreader) and insert from the bottom between the door and the oven frame on the side with the latches (usually next to the control panel). You may have to pry the bottom of the door open just a bit. The object is to push up the lower door latch (which is connected to the upper door latch) and manually open the door. You may have to try a few times but this worked perfectly for me and saved dinner. Obviously the door latch needs to be repaired but this solves the immediate problem of dinner being held hostage by a recalcitrant microwave.
wish you good luck,
take care.

Ok.Agreed,latch is not cracked or worn out.But check the grip of latch.Open the door.The hold the latch in your hand and see,if its loose or tight.It should be tight.Press the latch towards down and move it left/right slowly --- slowly.And inspect the latch.It will move,there will be a moment but the position of the latch in the door frame should be tight.If you feel that latch is got very loose,then the door frame needs to be disassembled and latch assembly has to be repositioned and fitted.In most of the cases this latch breaks/cracks and it needs replacement.But in your case,its different,you mentioned that if you keep your oven door pressed then latch remains closed..So if latch is broken/cracked it will not get closed properly.So as per that i think,you will have to check the opposite side of the door frame,where this latch gets into.On that side,there is a interlock type part.Which holds this latch.That part is operated by spring.If in-case that interlock type part or the spring,any of this is got loose then latch will get released after few minutes.--------------- But first as regular troubleshooting,you inspect the latch.Do you feel its loose or getting very easily moved,then open the door frame and check the latch.----------- For that you will required door disassembly diagram:--- Click the link,see part number 3 is door latch.-------- http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/partsdirect/showSubComp.pd?imageUrl=http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/W0505176-00002.png -------------- If the latch is properly positioned and intact then ,you will need to disassemble the opposite side cabinet to check the internal part,which hold the latch.For that you will require complete disassembly:---Click this link for complete disassembly:-- http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Kitchenaid-Parts/Microwave-Parts/Model-KHMS155LSS2/0593/0123370?pathTaken=&prst=0&shdMod=KHMS155LSS2 -------------- The door latch itself or other parts holding the door latch,none of the part is costly then $10.The cost of part is under $10.---------It just require you to figure out,either is cracked /broken part or just loose misaligned part.-------- This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

You can buy a new door spring through KitchenAid by calling For more information on warranty replacement, please call 800-541-6390

that should solve the issue if not feel free to contact me.

Part is available,
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?modelNumber=JE1640WA01&productCategoryId=0123245&brandId=0432&modelName=MICROWAVE&diagramPageId=00001&documentId=E2134524&pop=flush
Eric

The plastic lever release is more than likely broken. You can order the part from
http://www.repairclinic.com/Appliance-Parts?s=t-KCMS145JSS0-%3d%3dc226g5
It's about twenty dollars.

I'm assuming your correct model number is KCMS145JSS? You have a broken "release lever", part number AP3033332. It's reference number 7 on the exploded view diagram found here: http://www.appliancepartspros.com/sect/4/g/4/4g4rya32jj.gif You can order it by part number from Appliance Parts Pros here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383 If needed, you can download the owner's manual and installation guide here: http://www.kitchenaid.com/custserv/literature_search_results.jsp?searchTerm=kcms145jss If you need further help, please follow up. I appreciate your rating of this answer.