Loud hum in my ge rc7200

If that grinding noise sounds a little like gargling into a coffee cup, that's a defective magnetron.

You can download GE owner's manuals and installation instructions here.

You can find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number from the tag on the oven here.

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

SAFTY FIRST

UN -PLUG IT,,,,, THAT "FUNNY SMELL" SOUNDS LIKE IT IS SHORTING OUT
PERHAPS THE MEGATRON HAS GONE BAD, THE MEGATRON IS THE
HEART OF ANY MICROWAVE
AS A EX- FIREMAN, I KNOW FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE THAT
"A FUNNY SMELL " OR " UN-USUALL SMELL COMING FROM AN ELECTRICAL
ITEM IS A SIGN OF DANGER

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

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

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If it's an arcing sound, there may be grease or food particles on or behind the waveguide cover or in the area of the turntable motor.

Otherwise, it's likely to be a failing high voltage part:

- 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. Usually it will not heat is this is the case.

- A loud buzz, hum, or groan is usually a shorted high voltage rectifier diode, but if this were the case, it would not heat.

- Sometimes a high voltage transformer will cause a loud hum and burning smell, too.

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To allow us to help you effectively (at no charge), please post a NEW problem to FixYa, and please include your brand name and the full model number from the tag in or on the unit, and your specific symptoms.

Let us know which of the examples we gave seems to be closest to the sound you're experiencing.

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the magnetron the unit has gone bad.sometimes there is burning smell as u mentioned.it is little expensive repair arond $ 150.00.find out the price of new unit plus iistallation/delivery chg and then make a decision.

Possible bad heating element, You should remove the cover of the unit and look at the heating element with the power off. Until you get your problem resolved I would recommend not to even turn it on due to the fact that you are unsure what is going on and you smelt some burnt smell. Just for safety until you fine the problem

You either have a bad magnetron tube (5 or 10 year parts warranty item through GE Factory Service 1-800-432-2737 or www.geappliances.com) or a shorted high voltage rectifier. I think the light being out is a secondary problem.

It sounds like your magnetron failing.

If a fuse were blown, it would be totally dead with no lights, no display, etc.

Keeping it out of the landfill a while longer by getting it fixed is always an option.

If it's within the magnetron portion of the warranty (usually 5-9 years) but out of the original full warranty (usually 1 year), then your manufacturer will cover the part cost, but not the cost to visit you or the labor charge to do the work.

For Goldstar / LG / L.G. help, call 1-800-243-0000 (M-F, 7am-8pm CT, Sat 8-5 CT) and choose the appropriate prompt from the menu or visit here.

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

Sounds like you just fried your magnetron. Normally when they go bad, they make a very loud noise like what you described. The smell concerns me because you may have ruined the waveguide as well. If the magnetron burns through the protective painted surface of the waveguide, the waveguide is ruined. In most microwave ovens this means replacing the entire unit because the waveguide is not replaceable. Putting a new magnetron in a damaged waveguide will result in the same arcing and eventual failure. In addition to the magnetron, the following components are part of the same high voltage network: HV Transformer HV Diode HV Capacitor Magnetron Thermal Cut-Out Any one of these components could have also been damaged. I DO NOT recommend taking any voltage measurements inside the HV network. Potentials of over 4000 volts can be reached and make it very dangerous for the do-it-yourselfer. Taking resistance readings with the unit unplugged is strongly encouraged. If you decide to pursue a repair, inspect the magnetron tip and inside of the waveguide first. If the magnetron is melted and/or there are burn marks inside the waveguide, a new microwave may be a in order. This actually may be a better option than an expensive repair. I hope you find this advice helpful.