Range Repair Help: My oven doesn’t bake or broil

Q: Why doesn’t my oven bake?

A:  When there’s no heat at all in the oven, the first thing to check should be the timer controls. An automatic cycle setting could be preventing the oven from lighting.

If you have a self-cleaning range, make sure the door is in the unlock position. You will also want to check that all knobs are in the correct positions. If you have an Electronic Control, you can try unplugging the range for 30 seconds or so before you plug it back in. This can reset an Electronic Control. Make sure the gas is on to the range.

Most times when an oven won’t bake, it’s because the bake ignitor has gotten weak or it’s just burned out. The ignitor is a small round or rectangular device located near the burner. The ignitor is wired in series with the gas safety valve. When the ignitor is cold, it has a lot of resistance, meaning it gets most of the electricity in the circuit.

As it heats up, its resistance drops. This allows enough electricity to heat the bi-metal strip in the gas safety valve, which then allows gas to be released to the burner assembly. The gas then gets ignited by the glow-bar ignitor. The ignitor glows the whole time the burner is on, keeping the gas safety valve open. The thermostat senses when the desired temperature is reached, and cuts off electricity to the gas safety valve and ignitor.

If this ignitor is weak or burned out, it won’t heat enough to lower its resistance to the point where the bi-metal strip gets enough electricity to heat up and allow the gas safety valve to open, and it will not release gas to the burner assembly. When this happens, you may have to replace either the ignitor or the gas safety valve.

Many times it’s the ignitor that is to blame, and cheaper to replace. The gas safety valve does precisely what the name implies. It prevents gas from being introduced to the burner when there’s a possibility that it won’t get ignited properly. There are a few different variations in their operation, but the purpose is always the same, to prevent accidents.

If the glow-bar or spark systems are in proper working order, you may have a faulty gas safety valve. Check it for continuity. A faulty selector switch or thermostat could also be your problem. Check the selector switch for continuity between pairs of contacts. If none, replace the switch.

For the thermostat, consult your wiring diagram when testing it for continuity. If there is no continuity at any of the contact terminal points, you must replace the thermostat.

Q: Why doesn’t my oven broil?

A: You may have incorrect clock settings if you have a self-cleaning or timed baking oven. (Consult your owner’s manual) If the broil ignitor is not working properly, the broil burner will not work.

The ignitors are round or rectangular and are right next to the burner. The ignitor is wired in series with the gas safety valve. When the ignitor is cold, it has a lot of resistance, meaning it gets most of the electricity in the circuit. As it heats up, its resistance drops. This allows enough electricity to heat the bi-metal strip in the gas safety valve, which then allows gas to be released to the burner assembly.

The gas then gets ignited by the glow-bar ignitor. The ignitor glows the whole time the burner is on, keeping the gas safety valve open. The thermostat senses when the desired temperature is reached, and cuts off electricity to the gas safety valve and ignitor. If this ignitor is weak or burned out, it won’t heat enough to lower its resistance to the point where the bi-metal strip gets enough electricity to heat up and allow the gas safety valve to open, and it will not release gas to the burner assembly.

When this happens, you may have to replace either the ignitor or the gas safety valve. Many times it’s the ignitor that is to blame, and cheaper to replace. The gas safety valve does precisely what the name implies. It prevents gas from being introduced to the burner when there’s a possibility that it won’t get ignited properly.

There are a few different variations in their operation, but the purpose is always the same, to prevent accidents. If the glow-bar or spark systems are in proper working order, you may have a faulty gas safety valve. Check it for continuity. A faulty selector switch or thermostat could also be your problem. Check the selector switch for continuity between pairs of contacts. If none, replace the switch.

For the thermostat, consult your wiring diagram when testing for continuity. If there is no continuity at any of the contact terminal points, you must replace the thermostat.

For More Repair Help, Visit our Repair Library or the Appliance Repair Forum!

To look for a range part, visit our Range Replacement Parts Page.

Fix It: The Freezer is Not Freezing, The Fridge is Not Cold

I recently came across this post in our appliance repair forum, and thought it may help some of you out.

Q: “Ok, so the ice maker has been leaking for about 2 years now, just an inconvenience. Today, freezer is thawing out, fridge at 70′.  Took a hair dryer to back inside of freezer, seems like a lot of ice melted.  Fan seems to be running more than before.”

“I have seen that the ice maker water valve needs replacing. Is that it, or do I need to remove the inside of the freezer compartment and replace all those parts too?”

“I have it plugged back in for about an hour now.  Freezer getting cold, nothing in fridge compartment/ any suggestions would be appreciated. It’s 8 years old.”

One of our regular posters, applianceman, generously offered this advice:

A: “When you tried to defrost it with the hair dyer did you remove the back panel of the freezer? If not you need to go back and remove it and melt all the ice behind it (if there is any).”

“You say the ice maker is leaking but is it leaking in the freezer or in the floor? If it is leaking in the freezer the water from the ice maker may have leaked on the coils, froze and blocked airflow. If this seems to be the case melt all the ice, clean out the tube that feeds the ice maker water and replace the ice maker.”

“If the ice that is on the coils didn’t seem to come from the ice maker you may have a defrost problem. Which would be the defrost control, defrost heater or defrost thermostat.”

For appliance repair help, visit the Appliance Repair Forum and post your questions or visit our Repair Library.

For additional information on freezer maintenance, questions or general information, visit our freezer information page.

Maintenance Tips for your Range

The holidays are going to be here before we know it! Now is a great time to get your range in tip-top shape. AP Wagner has compiled some great tips to help you do just that!

• Use non-abrasive cleansers to clean finished exterior surfaces. AP Wagner has a large supply of range cleaners to help you. Our favorite is Whirlpool’s Heavy Duty Degreaser. This cleaner works great on black stoves, it removes streaks and leaves your stove top like new!
• When cleaning around switches and knobs, spray some cleanser on a cloth and then wipe the surfaces. Electric parts do not like any liquids.
• Clean burner holes with a toothpick if they’re getting plugged. This will increase their efficiency.r
• The burner drip pans may get stained over time. Once stained, it’s very difficult to remove it. Some people like to replace the drip pans every two to three years.  AP Wagner caries a drip pans and bowls for all makes and models. 
• Make sure to clean up any spills promptly. Something like tomato sauce, which is very acidic, can pit and corrode your drip pans and burner bowls.

For more tips on maintaining your range or any other appliance, visit the Repair Center on AP Wagner.com!

Summertime blues: my garage refrigerator no longer works; no longer keeps things cold

A garage refrigerator can be a handy item providing extra refrigerated storage space and allowing close proximity to the outdoors grill. Most people use their old kitchen refrigerator for this purpose.

However, be aware that many household refrigerators were not designed to operate in extreme outdoor temperatures and that this can cause the refrigerator to either run constantly, stop freezing/cooling or to stop working altogether.

According to Whirlpool’s Website, your refrigerator should not be placed in areas where, “temperatures go below 40°F or hotter than 100°F.”  The hotter the temperature inside your garage, the more the compressor will need to run in order to keep temperatures low. A constantly running refrigerator requires more energy and can wear out parts of your refrigerator faster like the compressor. Once a refrigerator’s compressors is shot, it will need to be replaced by a certified professional as this is a sealed system and only an EPA certified technician can legally work on a sealed system.

If your garage refrigerator is not cooling or your garage freezer is not freezing, there are a few items you can check:

Make sure that there is power to the appliance from the outlet

Check to see if the light comes on when you open the door. If not, see if there is power to the refrigerator by plugging it into a different outlet. Test the old outlet with another electric device that you know works. If there’s no power, check your fuse or circuit breaker.

Check/Adjust the temperature controls
The ideal temperature inside your refrigerator should be 40ºF or below, and your freezer 0ºF or below. Try adjusting the temperature controls for your refrigerator and freezer to make sure the proper temperatures are reached. Sometimes, rearranging how you put your foods in the refrigerator can make a big difference.

Refrigerators have either a mechanical defrost timer, or an ADC (Adaptive Defrost Control). If your refrigerator has a mechanical timer, set the cold control to the coldest setting and then advance the defrost timer. You can manually advance the timer with a screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver into the advancement pinion and turn clockwise a 1/4 to 3/8’s of a turn. If the compressor starts, replace the defrost timer.

Check your refrigerator’s door seal for leaks, cracks

Try putting a dollar bill between the gasket and the frame of the freezer as you close the door. If the dollar comes out without resistance, then you need a new door gasket. A tight seal around your fridge’s door keeps cold air from escaping and keeps the hot air out.

While checking the gasket, make sure your refrigerator shuts properly. It’s easy to make hinge door adjustments if necessary.

See if the compressor is running

The compressor is in a case with no visible moving parts. It is usually located at the back of the refrigerator near the bottom. If it’s humming, or making a steady noise, and your refrigerator is still not cooling properly, there could be a problem with one or more various components.

If you don’t hear anything, you can take the cover off the side of the compressor and test for voltage at the two leads. If no voltage is present, it’s time to check the cold control. To test if the cold control is bad, you can temporarily jump the two wires at the cold control. If you get power to the compressor after doing so, the cold control needs to be replaced.

Sometimes you can hear a click-buzz-click sound coming from the compressor. This is the relay/overload at work. If you hear this, power is getting to the compressor. If you do, something is wrong with either the compressor or the compressor starting components. If you have a newer model with solid-state starting components, you may not hear anything at all.

Some tips in order to keep your Garage refrigerator running

Keep some frozen jugs of bottled water inside the garage refrigerator

In order to help keep the inside temperature low. Believe it or not, having no food or items inside your refrigerator causes the refrigerator to run more often to cool the empty space. When storing water jugs in the freezer, be sure not to fill the jugs up all the way to the top as the ice will expand.

Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator.
The coils, located behind and under refrigerator, can accumulate dust, lint, and pet hair. Inside a dusty old garage, the problem can be worse. The accumulation of these deposits will make your refrigerator work harder to cool. Unplug the unit and use a coil condenser brush and/or a vacuum to clean the coils.

Give it Some Space
Condenser coils on the back of the refrigerator need some room to allow heat to radiate away from the fridge. Make sure your refrigerator is not too close to the wall or adjacent cabinets.

Don’t forget the drain pan
Clean the panel that covers the drain pan and other components. The panel helps to direct air-flow away from the fridge, allowing the fridge to work more efficiently.

For more refrigerator help

Refrigerator Repair Help

Ask a Refrigerator Repair Question

Popular Refrigerator replacement parts

Appliance Repair Questions?

Is your washing making a strange thumping noise?  Does your refrigerator not stay cold?  Why isn’t your dryer turning on?  For these questions and more visit AP Wagner’s Appliance Repair Forum for knowledgeable answers.  For best results know your appliance model number.  AP Wagner has been a trusted source for appliance parts since 1928!  Right answers, right parts, right away!

Visit the Appliance Repair Forum Today!

Common Appliance Problems

Here are some common appliance problems that readers have found helpful.

• 5 Common Air Conditioner Problems
• 5 Common Clothes Dryer Problems
• 5 Common Dehumidifier Problems
• 5 Common Dishwasher Problems
• 5 Common Electric Range Problems
• 5 Common Freezer Problems
• 5 Common Garbage Disposal Problems
• 5 Common Gas Range Problems
• 5 Common Hot Water Dispenser Problems
• 5 Common Humidifier Problems
• 5 Common Ice Maker Problems
• 5 Common Refrigerator Problems
• 5 Common Trash Compactor Problems
• 5 Common Washing Machine Problems
• 5 Common Water Filter Problems

For this and more visit AP Wagner.

Why doesn’t my dryer drum tumble?

Dryers have a belt that turns the drum. If the belt is worn or broken, it

Idler Arm Assembly Frigidaire 5303212849 - Sale price: $19.95

can’t move the drum. Just replace the belt, and while you’re doing that, you may want to check the idler pulley. Wear on the idler pulley can cause the belt to break. Worn out glides and rollers can also create extra stress on the belt by making the drum harder to turn. If the drum is harder to turn, the extra stress could have broken the belt.

Clothes Dryer Drum Roller Maytag 31001096 - Sale price: $34.03

Normally, you can hear the motor running, especially if it’s the belt or idler pulley that’s the problem. If you don’t hear the motor, and you hear a buzzing sound instead, the motor may be seized and you’ll probably need to replace the motor or motor start capacitor. Remove the belt, then check for any blockages in the blower fan housing and try to turn the shaft on the motor by hand.

If it’s too hard or impossible to turn the motor shaft, and the blower fan housing has no obstructions; odds are that you need to replace the

Clothes Dryer Motor Whirlpool 279811 - Sale - $156.28

motor.

If the motor turns easily, run it for a few seconds. If it runs good without the belt, you may have a problem with the idler pulley or the drum rollers. Try rotating the drum by hand. If it’s hard to move, fix any problem with the idler pulley, glides, or drum rollers, reassemble the dryer, and test it again.

• Clothes Dryer Repair Help
• Find a Part for your Clothes Dryer by Make and Model
  
• Clothes Dryer Appliance Parts

Keep small parts handy with the MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband

Here’s a clever tool useful to people that work with small metal parts which have a habit of rolling away or getting lost.  The MagnoGrip  Magnetic Wristband helps you keep tools on you while you work. It’s ideal for holding small parts like nails, screws, bolts, drill bits, fasteners, and small tools.

Keep track of small parts like nails, screws, bolts, drill bits, fasteners

Just simply hold the metal part close to the pad of the MagnoGrip and industrial-strength magnets hold it in place, leaving your hands free to work.  With the MagnoGrip there is no need to stick nails in your mouth or hunt around for missing screws or parts, the strong magnet located within the wristband keeps nails, screws and even a small hammer within in your reach.  Small, metal parts will easily attach to the strong magnet inside the wristband and stay there till you need them.

The MagnoGrip’s durable, heavy duty canvas is breathable and lightweight enough, so you can wear it all day with comfort.

The MagnoGrip’s durable, heavy duty canvas is breathable and lightweight enough, so you can wear it all day with comfort. The adjustable, secure Velcro strip, allows you to adjust it easily and quickly for comfort and wear.

The MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband is rugged and durable enough for professional mechanics, contractors, and installers. It’s also a great gift for the do-it-yourselfer and for those that like to work on cars and boats in their spare time.

The MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband is available for $7.95 online at APWagner.com.

You can learn a lot by a person just by looking at their refrigerator door

Here’s a fun article from the Lawrence Journal World and News online, “Magnetic appeal: What does your refrigerator decor say about you?”, talking about the different ways people decorate their refrigerator doors and what it says about them.

For example, Mildred Munjanganja, vice president of LifeOrganizers.com says, “Artists might have artwork, writers might have quotes, thrifty people might have coupons, and cooks might have favorite recipes.”

So what’s on your refrigerator door? Is it a simple shopping list? Magnets from places you have vacationed? Family photos and doctor appointments?

Mildred Munjanganja, vice president of LifeOrganizers.com offers some refrigerator door organizations tips including:

• Place the most important items on the left-hand side of the fridg
• Place least important items toward the botto
• If items are meant for a child, place it close to the bottom where he or she is able to read them.
• Read the rest of her tips and the complete article online.

Of course, all this family artwork, magnets and other items, can scratch the refrigerator door’s paint and finish. Luckily, appliance touch-up paints allow you to get rid of unsightly scratches.

If your refrigerator is stainless steel, Scratch-B-Gone, a product that removes scratches, rust and other marks from stainless steel appliances, will help you keep your appliances looking like new.

First week winners receive a $50 Visa Gift Card

Congratulations to our first-week winners in the “Help Fill Up Our Repair Forum and Win!” Contest. Congratulations APWagner Appliance Repair Forum winners: Tec3, Jeff1, Repairmandan. Each member will each receive a $50 Visa Gift Card.

It’s not too late to enter the contest; in fact we have three more weeks left and will be giving away nine more Visa Gift Cards each worth $50 and good wherever Visa is accepted.

It’s free to enter our contest, here’s how: Create an account on the APWagner.com Appliance Parts and Appliance Repair Forum.

Post an original, relevant appliance repair question, or answer an appliance repair question already posted on our forum. If you post an appliance repair question, be sure to include the appliance type, the make and appliance’s model number.

The more original questions you post, and the more detailed answers you give to existing questions, the more times you are entered and the more chances you have to win! Users will receive one entry for each original question posted, or answer given to a question, under their username.

Visit our Appliance Repair Forum and start posting now!

Rules

Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email.

To win you must have a qualified question or give a qualified answer. Read the rules to see what qualifies. You can also download a PDF version of the contest rules.

Download PDF format of contest rules now.

Read the official contest rules.

Ready to enter? Visit the APWagner Appliance Repair Forums Now!

Visit our contest page to see all the winners!