My GE spacemaker microwave makes an awful sound and has smoke with a terrible smell coming out of the vents. The clock and everything seems to be okay. Can this be fixed:

Remove vent grille, then remove control panel. Check wire to cavity thermostat. Sometime wire bundle and small space causes poor terminal connections on this thermostat and will burn wire terminal. Cut off bad part of the wire, install a small terminal end, reconnect to thermostat. If thermostat is destroyed, also replace thermostat.

This is most likely a defective magnetron, especially with the burning smell. There are two other parts that can be a problem, the high voltage capacitor and diode, all three work together to heat food. If the magnetron is the culprit, probably cheaper to replace the microwave oven.

Hi, Most of the time not...it costs more then they are worth...
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101
f9uy

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

jk4

this sounds like the magentron may be going. have you had any issues with it not heating? check your warranty book, some mags have a 3-5 year warranty, otherwise it's probably not worth repairing.

You need to have the capacitor and Both HVdiodes replaced. Suggest a technician do it . Dangerous voltages present even though off.

the problem is in the magnetron try to replace it.

Many thanks to e3enigma above! I removed the synch motor under the turntable; all other microwave functions work fine and the grinding noise is gone, hooray! A trip to the appliance parts store tomorrow for a replacement synchronous motor and all should be well. Thanks again!

Sounds like the problem is in the high voltage. Most common would be magnatron, capacitor and diode. For safety reasons this should be checked by a professional. Look in your owners manual because some high voltage parts have a longer warranty than 1 yr.