Combi oven has stopped working! Is it worth repairing?

dllive

Hi

I have a CDA combi microwave oven. I bought it 5 years ago. Last night its stopped working! The light and fan come on, but it doesnt turn or heat up.

I just wonder if there are any easy fixes; whether to get an appliance engineer to take a look at it (Ive contacted 2 and theyve both said they dont work with microwaves), or whether to just buy a new one.

Just looking for some advice/guidance.

Thanks

Apodemus

Do you mean it doesn't heat up with any of the functions?  Or just that it doesn't heat up on the microwave setting?

ThisIsWeird

Have you tried a shoogle?

Set it running, and try pushing the door more closed. Then try a gentle pull - not quite opening it. Then try both. See what - if anything - happens.

If it flickers into life even for a nanosecond, then most likely it'll be a faulty door microswitch. I still wouldn't suggest a DIY repair as there can be some staggeringly high voltages contained therein, but it would point to a cheap fix for an appliance repair fellow, so likely worth doing.

greyteam1959

Not worth the call out fee for some 'appliance repair fellow' to come & look at it.

dllive

ThisIsWeird said:

Have you tried a shoogle?

Set it running, and try pushing the door more closed. Then try a gentle pull - not quite opening it. Then try both. See what - if anything - happens.

If it flickers into life even for a nanosecond, then most likely it'll be a faulty door microswitch. I still wouldn't suggest a DIY repair as there can be some staggeringly high voltages contained therein, but it would point to a cheap fix for an appliance repair fellow, so likely worth doing.

Haha, I had to google what a 'shoogle' is. Yes, Ive wiggled it and even had the whole door off its hinges and refitted it. That hasnt changed matters.

dllive

Apodemus said:

Do you mean it doesn't heat up with any of the functions?  Or just that it doesn't heat up on the microwave setting?

When I turn the power on, the interface displays "Door" (indicating the door is open even though its not). When I try to turn it on, the light displays and the fan comes on but the dish doesnt rotate and it doesnt get hot.

dllive

greyteam1959 said:

Not worth the call out fee for some 'appliance repair fellow' to come & look at it.

Its only a cheapo CDA combi microwave. (annoyingly I cant lay my hands on the receipt. I usually keep receipts religiously!). So perhaps - after 5 years - Ive had good service for it and its time to buy a new one. Which I think is what youre suggesting. 

If I buy a new combi microwave, are they fairly easy to install? Or should it only be done by an electrician?

Alderbank

dllive said:

If I buy a new combi microwave, are they fairly easy to install? Or should it only be done by an electrician?

I assume yours is built-in. Any issues will be aesthetic rather than electrical ones.
The microwave will be held in place by a mounting kit which will be fixed to the housing unit by small screws. If you are in luck you will be able to buy another CDA which fits your mounting kit. 
If you go for another make, ovens are standardised in width to fit 600mm cabinets but no other dimensions can be assumed and you will almost certainly need a different mounting kit.
Make sure you meet the ventilation requirements of the new oven.

ThisIsWeird

dllive said:

When I turn the power on, the interface displays "Door" (indicating the door is open even though its not).

Eh? Almost certainly is the door microswitch then.

Around 30pee each, and clip into place.

I'd be at least tempted to call up a repair fellow, and put the matter to them. It'll likely either be "Nah, not worth it..." Or "Nae prob - done lots".

Possibly.

How much is a new machine, installed?

Apodemus

ThisIsWeird said:

dllive said:

When I turn the power on, the interface displays "Door" (indicating the door is open even though its not).

Eh? Almost certainly is the door microswitch then.

Around 30pee each, and clip into place.

I'd be at least tempted to call up a repair fellow, and put the matter to them. It'll likely either be "Nah, not worth it..." Or "Nae prob - done lots".

Possibly.

How much is a new machine, installed?

In my (limited) experience of two microwaves that have had this problem, the issue has been that the nylon lever in the door catch has worn down through use.  The switch is still fine, but the catch no longer pushes it properly.  The switch is often replaceable, but getting a replacement catch can be tricky or impossible.

ThisIsWeird

Apodemus said:

ThisIsWeird said:

dllive said:

When I turn the power on, the interface displays "Door" (indicating the door is open even though its not).

Eh? Almost certainly is the door microswitch then.

Around 30pee each, and clip into place.

I'd be at least tempted to call up a repair fellow, and put the matter to them. It'll likely either be "Nah, not worth it..." Or "Nae prob - done lots".

Possibly.

How much is a new machine, installed?

In my (limited) experience of two microwaves that have had this problem, the issue has been that the nylon lever in the door catch has worn down through use.  The switch is still fine, but the catch no longer pushes it properly.  The switch is often replaceable, but getting a replacement catch can be tricky or impossible.

Could very well be, Apod.

In my also limited experience with a Sharp MO, it was the microswitch - three were fitted in total, and two of them failed at different times. It would be a shame to throw an otherwise good MO for the sake of such a cheap and easy to replace part, but sadly the labour cost might tip that balance.