I am familiar with TV sets being stuck in demo mode, but I've never heard of a microwave doing this. The fix for this on a TV is usually pushing a combination of buttons at the same time.
Call Sears or Best Buy and talk to an appliance salesman, or call a repair service. They surely wouldn't charge you anything for giving out this info.
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.
You can find links to helpful exploded view
diagrams and part ordering help
here.
I recommend that you bookmark that
link to your favorites.
In many brands (you didn't mention yours) there's 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.
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 nationwide.
But please note that for
some models, the membrane keypad is not
available as a separate part, so you would have to order the control
panel frame assembly which comes with a new keypad.
In this case, you simply
move your circuit board into the new frame. That is a simple do-it-yourself
job. Feel free to contact me directly (and please remind me of your
full model number from the tag on the unit) for more
free information & help.
We're
happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful
rating of our answer.
A loud buzz, hum, or groan is usually a
shorted high voltage rectifier diode, but a sound like gurgling into an
empty coffee mug is one symptom of a failed magnetron, and yet the mag can
be bad without that sound.
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.
Accessing some components for testing and possible replacement will require you to remove the oven from the wall.
If
so, the installation instructions (similar to these) are very handy, and it's best to have
two people since the microwave can be heavy and awkward.
Here are some links you
or someone you know can use for test help, but read their safety
warnings first:
http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/mag_test.html (even
if the magnetron passes these tests, it can still be bad. If
you have high voltage and the diode is good, assume the magnetron is
bad)
You would have to remove it from the wall to replace the magnetron, take off the outside cover, discharge the capacitor, then disconnect the magnetron's wires and mounting nuts.
We have the service manual for this model and have uploaded it for you here.
(Our site is down as I write this, but rest assured it is there.)
You can order
parts for this brand from Encompass here or you can call them toll-free at 866-779-5835.
Most manufacturers can offer a "drop-in" replacement if you tell them your model number. Call Sharp toll free at 1-800-BE-SHARP (1-800-237-4277).
NOTE: FixYa's Web site is currently not notifying us when replies to our Clarification Requests are posted.
So please reply back directly to me with your brand and full model
number from the tag in or on the unit for more help or free
do-it-yourself tips or an estimate if required.
We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.
William E. Miller [email protected]
http://www.microwavedisplay.com We're happy
to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating
of our answer
The wall plate for this line of Sharp ovens (this uncludes R13xx - R15xx) is unlike most others. Rather than having two bend tabs at the bottom of the plate on which the unit rests, this design has two arms that protrude out from the wall. The microwave has two holes on the back that receive these arms. There are two screws at the front of the oven, behind the vent grille, that secure the oven to the arms.
It's a very easy system - actually easier than the more typical method - ONCE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. Unfortunately, no one, including the FixYa "expert" was familiar with it, and spent over an hour of my time sending me in the wrong direction entirely. I won't be using FixYa again.
Your machine is probably burned up by now ... but I will try to help you.
I suspect your door safety interlock switches are selded in the closed position. Remove the cover and look on the right hand side for these small switches. Unplug the device and be mindful there is 25,000 or more volts waiting to get you in the silver thing to the back side. Check the switches with a ohm meter. There is a common terminal, a normally open terminal and a normally closed terminal. My guess is one or both switches are going to read closed (short)
Have you removed all the duct work from above. There is a little rectangle metal piece that is on top of micro wave that is only 1 inch tall that might hold you up also.
Also on some sharp microwaves if you pull the front top grill off you will see 2 long screws that go from the front to the back of the microwave. Though-es screws attach to the mounting plate and help hold up the microwave. the two screws are on the left and right side about 1 inch down and 1.5 inches in from side. They are also flat head.
It can be oiled with something akin to Pam (cooking oil spray). You don't want petroleum products in your oven -- it'd take forever to get the fumes out.
I'd try first just spraying some under the turntable as far back toward the center as you can get it -- run oven -- spray some more, etc., etc.
Unfortunately, its not just Sharp. Many small appliance manufacturers are designing their products with an obsolete date as early as the warranty runs out. I see this all the time....even on very expensive items. For many mfgs, its cheaper to keep the manufacturing lines churning than to build an appliance to last....say 10 years. I do hope your experience with the new microwave is much better...and longer lasting. M
Sounds like the fuse has blown. There are some high voltage circuits that exists inside your microwave and you can potentially get hurt if you don't know what you are doing. Would recommend you have it serviced by a professional if you want it fixed, and you are not familar with high voltage components.
