Capacitor discharge spacemaker

There are three microswitches
When checking a microwave oven that seems to operate properly yet does not heat first check for 110VAC at the primary of the large transformer.

Unplug microwave, remove top, and follow the wire from the keypad/control board assembly to the printed circuit board, look for a silver rectangular high voltage capacitor and discharge across the two points with a screwdriver, nearby you sould see a clipped in fuse, pop it out and replace with the same current rating.

More than likely it's the magnetron, chances are it may still be under warranty. Online owners manual states 5 year warranty on magnetron. Part only, service call and installation not included. As of 12/16/10, I spoke with GE rep and new magnetron is on it's way to me. They require serial number, and will let you know if it's still under warranty. Installation appears to be simple, UNPLUG MICROWAVE THEN MAKE SURE YOU DISCHARGE CAPACITOR. INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH IF NOT DISCHARGED PROPERLY. Google how to install magnetron and discharge capacitor. It will save you approx $ 250 - 300 doing it yourself. Hope this helps. Be Safe

More than likely it's the magnetron and/or diode, chances are it may still be under warranty. Online owners manual states 5 year warranty on magnetron. Part only, service call and installation not included. Diode not covered. They require serial number, and will let you know if it's still under warranty. Installation appears to be simple, UNPLUG MICROWAVE THEN MAKE SURE YOU DISCHARGE CAPACITOR. INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH IF NOT DISCHARGED PROPERLY. Google how to install magnetron and discharge capacitor. It will save you approx $ 250 - 300 doing it yourself. Hope this helps. Be Safe

More than likely it's the magnetron and/or diode, chances are it may still be under warranty. Online owners manual states 5 year warranty on magnetron. Part only, service call and installation not included. Diode not covered. They require serial number, and will let you know if it's still under warranty. Installation appears to be simple, UNPLUG MICROWAVE THEN MAKE SURE YOU DISCHARGE CAPACITOR. INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH IF NOT DISCHARGED PROPERLY. Google how to install magnetron and discharge capacitor. It will save you approx $ 250 - 300 doing it yourself. Hope this helps. Be Safe

More than likely it's the magnetron and/or diode, chances are it may still be under warranty. Online owners manual states 5 year warranty on magnetron. Part only, service call and installation not included. Diode not covered. They require serial number, and will let you know if it's still under warranty. Installation appears to be simple, UNPLUG MICROWAVE THEN MAKE SURE YOU DISCHARGE CAPACITOR. INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH IF NOT DISCHARGED PROPERLY. Google how to install magnetron and discharge capacitor. It will save you approx $ 250 - 300 doing it yourself. Hope this helps. Be Safe

More than likely it's the magnetron and/or diode, chances are it may still be under warranty. Online owners manual states 5 year warranty on magnetron. Part only, service call and installation not included. Diode not covered. They require serial number, and will let you know if it's still under warranty. Installation appears to be simple, UNPLUG MICROWAVE THEN MAKE SURE YOU DISCHARGE CAPACITOR. INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH IF NOT DISCHARGED PROPERLY. Google how to install magnetron and discharge capacitor. It will save you approx $ 250 - 300 doing it yourself. Hope this helps. Be Safe

check fuse inside unit microwave has a fuse around 15 to 25 amps get at local hard ware store u should discharge capacitor before installing fuse not nessary in microwave

It's always best to discharge a capacitor through a 10K ohm resistor. Just touch it across both terminals for about 10 seconds.

Otherwise, you can use a screw driver, but you risk ruining the screwdriver and maybe flying chunks of steel if there is enough stored energy.

First guess: thermosensor. This is a black item the size of a dime and 3/8 inch thick located on the wall of the oven inside the pad area. Test for continuity. There may be more than one fuse involved. Some of these units have weak relays (tell me about it!). You can replace the heat relay with a 12 automotive relay if you're good...if not, you'll have to replace the board.

I did two relays...and then needed a new board for other reasons on my own unit. Rebuilt boards are available online.