Combi oven has stopped working! Is it worth repairing?

dllive

Thanks guys. Im sure its just a part thats worn. But Ive had the door completely off and checked the hinges, they look fine.

Heres a video showing what happening: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xiW-AjFwiUiWXtRX5dZtxHE3O6kdlwTx/view?usp=sharing

As you can see, the word 'Door' lights up which suggests the door is open (even though its not). Then wehn I press start the fan and light comes on, but no heat. Presumebaly becuase it thinks the door is open.

@ThisIsWeird: where would the microswitch be located?

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

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.

This is the problem... for safety reasons the replacement of the door microswitches isn't a DIY job, and so labour charges will always influence the decision whether to replace the oven or have a repair done.

GDB2222

dllive said:

Thanks guys. Im sure its just a part thats worn. But Ive had the door completely off and checked the hinges, they look fine.

Heres a video showing what happening: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xiW-AjFwiUiWXtRX5dZtxHE3O6kdlwTx/view?usp=sharing

As you can see, the word 'Door' lights up which suggests the door is open (even though its not). Then wehn I press start the fan and light comes on, but no heat. Presumebaly becuase it thinks the door is open.

@ThisIsWeird: where would the microswitch be located?

could you supply some pictures of the inside of the door, please. And the oven, where the door closes..

Section62

dllive said:

Thanks guys. Im sure its just a part thats worn. But Ive had the door completely off and checked the hinges, they look fine.

Heres a video showing what happening: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xiW-AjFwiUiWXtRX5dZtxHE3O6kdlwTx/view?usp=sharing

As you can see, the word 'Door' lights up which suggests the door is open (even though its not). Then wehn I press start the fan and light comes on, but no heat. Presumebaly becuase it thinks the door is open.

@ThisIsWeird: where would the microswitch be located?

Buy a new microwave rather than attempting a repair yourself.

The door is a safety-critical part - it prevents microwave energy leaking out. Unless you already know what you are doing it is unsafe to dismantle/adjust/modify the door, the latches, and the microswitch interlocking mechanism.

That's a separate and additional risk to the one TIW has already mentioned - which is the very high voltages present inside the microwave, even when unplugged and switched off. Accessing the microswitches would expose you to the risk of a fatal electic shock.

Fixing a microwave (other than the plug top fuse) isn't a DIY job.

dllive

Is this what you want @GDB2222 ? I can take more if needed.

(excuse the grime! It is actually quite clean!). As I say, Ive had the whoel door off and the hinges all seem fine. But of course, I dont know about any door sensors.

GDB2222

The second photo shows a bit of plastic that goes into a hole and I guess operates the microswitch. Can we have some more pictures of the bit of plastic, including with the door open and looking down onto it.

How is the plastic held in place? Is there any play?

GDB2222

I agree with @Section62 that you don’t want to fiddle inside the oven, but you can safely adjust the actuator for the microswitch if there is any adjustment available. 

dllive

Theres is no play in the door. I gave it a good wiggle this morning to see if that turned on/off the 'Door' display but it didnt. It opens/closes firmly.
Ill go take more photos now...
 

dllive

Hmm, Ive tried taking photos with a torch to light the mechanism, but it really doesnt show anything more than the other photos.

No matter, it certainly does seem to be a door sensor/microswitch issue. Ill mention that to the engineer and see if he thinks its worth fixing or not.

Thanks for your help!

Section62

GDB2222 said:

I agree with @Section62 that you don’t want to fiddle inside the oven, but you can safely adjust the actuator for the microswitch if there is any adjustment available. 

No, my point is it isn't safe to make any adjustments.  The door, the latch and the interlock all work together to prevent a situation where microwave energy is being produced and can exit the cabinet.  The symptom (no heating effect) is likely to be the result of the safety mechanisms doing their job - i.e. 'detecting' an unsafe condition and inhibiting operation of the oven.

If something is broken or needs adjustment then it follows that something isn't as it should be, and it can't be guaranteed that microwave energy won't leak out if the safety mechanism is interfered with or adjusted.

Repairs are possible, but it needs knowledge, experience and equipment to do it safely.

As much as I hate to see electrical equipment dumped rather than repaired, microwaves aren't something it is safe for a DIYer to repair, other than changing the plug fuse.