Have a GE Spacemaker (Model # JVM1650SH05). Microwave works for a few minutes then displays "F3" code. How can you tell if the Touchpad or Control Board is bad? When it is working for those few minutes, everthing works (clock, temp, rotation, light, etc. etc.)

SOURCE: GE Microwave JVM3660SD001 Control Panel Removal Procedure

Remove the grill, should be screws on the top of the unit. There should be one screw behind the grill at the top of the control panel. Remove it and pop the control panel up to remove it. Make sure the mw is unplugged first. Then you can remove the board.

William Miller

• 9179 Answers
• Posted on Jan 13, 2008

SOURCE: ge spacemaker xl1800 microwave

F3 on a GE microwave indicates a defective keypad.

The keypad is a thin plastic membrane type that is glued to the plastic control panel frame.

If none or only some of the pads are working, there may be some foreign substance on the circuit board, the keypad connection, or inside the layers of the keypad, the latter of which cannot be repaired.

Trouble is sometimes due to spray cleaner being sprayed directly onto the keypad. Cleaner should be sprayed on the cloth first, then use the cloth to wipe the keypad clean.

Never use an ammonia-based cleaner on plastic as the ammonia can attack and crack it.

A handy person can remove the control panel frame and see if there's any liquid inside on or behind the panel. If so, it is possible to dry it out, but often that does not work.

Another thing is to unlpug the power at the mains for several seconds. Plug it back in and see if it works. A reset may do it.

At power-up, the display should flash or show a text message. If not, a key may be stuck due to a foreign substance or a defective keypad.

If certain keys are not working, there may be some foreign substance at the point where the green or blue plastic strip from the keypad plugs into the circuit board.

To check that, see our critical safety, disassembly, and troubleshooting info at our site. You'll find a link to our site in our
listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

1. Be sure the oven is disconnected from the power line while you are taking it apart.

2. The keypad connection is the green or blue translucent plastic strip that plugs into a connector near the edge of the board.

3. There are two tiny tabs (one on each side) of the connector that you can gently pull up on to unlock the connector.

4. Then the keypad strip will lift out. Clean both sides of the end of the strip with a pencil eraser or alcohol-based cleaner if you like, but do not use ammonia-based cleaner. Dry the end of the strip.

5. Put the keypad strip back in, making sure both sides are down fully.

6. While holding the strip down, push the connector back down to lock it.

7. Try the keys again with the door closed.

You can usually find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383

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

William Miller

• 9179 Answers
• Posted on May 24, 2008

SOURCE: microwave malfunction

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

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.

William Miller

• 9179 Answers
• Posted on May 04, 2010

SOURCE: microwave ge spacesaver touchpad does not work except for the

You have a failed 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.
You can find links to helpful exploded view diagrams and part ordering help here.

I recommend that you bookmark that link to your favorites. 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.

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 GE 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.

Either way, we can let you know what your options and costs would be and send you other helpful info.

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.

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

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