We have a Hotpoint RVM1435WJ01 above the range microwave. We lost our electricity one day due to an outside electric wire splitting - when the electric company fixed the wire, the power came back to everything in the house except the Hotpoint microwave oven. It is totally dead. What could have happened? How can we fix it?

The magnetron is breaking down electrically (arcing).

JX-81J is the microwave recirculating charcoal filter for several models of GE and Hotpoint microwaves. The installation instructions will be available from the manufacturer with the model number of the microwave itself.

One microwave that uses this filter is the RVM1535MMSA . See http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=HPSPECPAGE&Sku=RVM1535MMSA#tab1_ for all of the details on this microwave. The owner's manual, http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=39-40541-1.pdf , shows the installation of the filter on page 34. The guide for installing the microwave above the range is http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=39-40425.pdf .

If you have a different microwave, add a comment with that model number. I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Hi,
The manual for your range can be found at this webpage:

http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=49-88044_LORES.pdf

Hope this helps!

AS the fan usually is wired in paralell with the element. I supect the element has failed.

Hello elle..... Definitely call the power company right away. You have probably lost one leg of your power so that instead of having two 110 volt legs going into your electrical panel you have only one leg. That would eliminate half of your power.

This is a potentially dangerous situation so please call the power company right away. ALSO do not use your electric dryer or electric stove/oven under any circumstances at these require 220 volts and using them could damage your appliances. Joe

Thanks for choosing Fixya!

When the microwave is not heating, that means the magnetron is not working. This is what provides the heat to the microwave. I do believe the magnetron has a 10 year warranty.

If you wish to replace it, here is how:

1. Unplug Microwave at least few hours before
2. Remove Microwave from above oven range by somebody holding Microwave from ground unscrew the screws from cabinet
3. Remove top cover of Microwave
4. Make sure to keep screws correctly in a place you remember what goes where
   
5. Make sure capacitor is discharged, GE manual inside Microwave says capacitor will discharge within 30 seconds once it is off. As a precaution check the voltage in capacitor to make sure there is no electricity
   
6. Remove other panels around magnetron part
7. You need to remove lot of connecting wires, should be careful to note down what goes where
   
8. If possible take digital photos to refer back when you put everything back together
   
9. You may need to remove transformer to easily remove and replace Magnetron. If you can't remove Magnetron easily then remove bottom panel of the Microwave and remove transformer
   
10. Now it should be easy to remove magnetron
    
11. Replace new magnetron and screw it. We had to put one outside part from old magnetron to new one because new one was missing that. Check to make sure both old and new one are exactly the same
    
12. Make sure put all wires properly back
    
13. Now put transformer back and screw it
    
14. Put capacitor panel in place and screw it
    
15. This might be a good time to test the Microwave to make sure it works fine now
    
16. Now cover the top panels and start to screw everything
17. Once everything assembled put the Microwave back above range put screws from top

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

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5508031-microwave_oven_basic_troubleshooting

heatman101

your micrwave may run fine at 110 but it draws more power than the generator is putting out when the magnetron kicks on which is the part that creates the microwave causing the food to heat up. In other words the amperage is too low for the microwave. Amperage is what matters not voltage.

I would contact a few electricians for their opinions. Appliances like microwaves and ranges, etc. should be on separate circuits / breakers due to the high currents they draw.