GE Spacemaker JVM1640SJ Microwave Oven Logo
Posted on Aug 23, 2017
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I have a GE Spacemaker XL from 1998. It was working fine yesterday but today the display window shows all asterisks. I have unplugged it for several minutes in an effort to reboot it. It asks for a clock reset, which seems to work, but then whenever I try to open the door, turn on the surface light, or begin cooking, I get all asterisks again and it does not function. any ideas?

1 Answer

acmservice

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  • Expert 270 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 24, 2017
acmservice
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Joined: Sep 11, 2009
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Wow! sounds really weird. Possibly Microprocessor on Main Timer board. No way to really diagnose other than substituting or replacing the main board. Unfortunately a bit pricey. Nothing else i can think of that would actually cause asterisks in the display. I really do not like to refer them, but may need to call GE since it is one of their units. Maybe they could give you some guidance. Mostly, over the phone, they just insist on sending someone out. So they can bill you more.

5 Related Answers

MicrowaveSvc

William Miller

  • 9179 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 16, 2008

SOURCE: GE SPACEMAKER XL MICROWAVE OVEN JVM1440

Assuming that your internal cooling fan is working, I would suspect that your magnetron is failing.

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

There should also be a "mini-manual" hidden inside the unit behind the control panel or hidden on the
left side behind the grille, which is very helpful when troubleshooting, testing, and locating components.

I would check the cooling fan, then suspect the magnetron.

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

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MicrowaveSvc

William Miller

  • 9179 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 25, 2009

SOURCE: GE spacemaker XL1400, Model number JVM1430WA 001

OOPS!

I meant to post that as a solution, not a clarification request, so it came out as one big blob paragraph (Thanks, FiyXa!)

Here it is again, but in readable form:


You have a failing membrane keypad.

If you (or someone you know) might want to replace it yourself, I have uploaded a handy guide with pictures showing you what's typically involved.

It is part number WB27X10171 and while GE sells it for a whopping $115.50, you can get it for $90.58 here.

You can also find helpful exploded view diagrams via that link.

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

dee77f7.jpg

At our Web site, we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

If you would like to have us do this repair for you, we do that for $39.95 plus part costs, in this case
$90.58 plus $8.95 shipping for a total of $139.48.

Feel free to contact me directly (and please remind me of your full model number from the tag on the unit) for more information & help.

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

Anonymous

  • 999 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2009

SOURCE: We have a GE Profile Spacemaker XL 1800. It began

Sounds like the Magnatron or the HV Cap or diode is failed. Process of will show you which one. Very dangerous area to work in, not for the untrained. Eric

kel1guy2002

Kelly

  • 3740 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 27, 2010

SOURCE: GE spacemaker xl 1800 died while cooking,has power

Hi and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly

When a micrwave quite during use it does have a tendancy to make the user wonder just what happened. There are several components that can cause this symptom.

1. The High Voltage Capacitor
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5227571&diagram_id=22974428#d22974428
(item 49)

2. The diode in the diode cable has failed
(Item 50 in the link above)

3. An open thermostat (Item 110) of above link (there are 2 of them)

4. A failed Magnatron (Item 73) This is pretty rare that a magnatron fails... It is usually something else.

Since you do not have any lights or appearance of power the fuse is probably blown.

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5227571&diagram_id=22974429#d22974429
(Item 47)

It can also be the duct thermostat item 27 but again this is a rare failure.

Usually what happens is either the HV Cap or the Diode in the Diode wire fails.

IF you even attempt repair... make sure to short across the HV Cap terminals at least 3 times. The first time if the cap is good it will really make a bang and spark.

To test the diode wire... "unhook / disconnect one end of it and use a meter to read it using resistance. One direction it should read. Reverse the leads and it will appear open.

There are a few other things like interlocks, HV transformer and control panel board that can cause this but again the instances of failure are pretty slim.
Replace the 20A fuse in the fuse holder. IF it blows again either the diode or the Cap is most likely the problem

An informational note... IF someone opened the door slowly without pressing pause / stop it can via the door interlock switch blow the fuse.

Hopefully this give you a clue as to what has happened and what to look for as far as repair and expected expenses.

Thanks for choosing FixYa.

Kelly

robb2004

  • 15 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 23, 2010

SOURCE: reset clock, ge spacemaker xl1800 times out after 2-3 seconds

There's a simple fix for this. Unplug the unit. Take off the top grill with 2 screws. Remove the 1 screw that holds the touch pad unit. Lift up on touchpad unit and lift out. Put a piece of aluminum foil inside a large zip lock bag and tape it to the back of the touchpad unit and reassemble. GE put the magnetron to close to the control board causing stray microwaves to interfere with the board. The foil shields it.

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On a GE microwave F3 means you have a failed keypad.

We replace these for customers nationwide with our guaranteed $39.95 service.

If you might want to replace it yourself, I have uploaded a handy guide with pictures showing you what's typically involved. It's here.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you need more help.

We're happy to help and we appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

William E. Miller, AS-EET
[email protected]
http://www.microwavedisplay.com
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