Microwave not Turning; Replaced with certified motor; still not turning.

[eyePod]

Over the range microwave started giving us trouble last week. I felt like the Fonz, because if I gave it a bang, it would start rotating.

Obviously this didn't fix anything, and it died after about a week. Everything was clean, so I knew it wasn't that. I ordered a new motor (holy shit they're expensive for a 12 year old model), and ended up getting a factory certified one. Well, I put it in and it still won't turn.

All other functions seem to work. The ventilation seems fine, the lights all work, the responses on the panel are OK, and yes, I confirmed that the turntable on/off toggle is on "on."

Right now, I'm guessing it's a faulty connector/wiring, or something might have gotten jostled higher up in the device.

Worst part is our we're TENTATIVELY looking to move, so that adds more complexity. I dont' want to buy a new microwave since the dish washer and oven are just as old, but from a cost/benefit - a new one might be worth it. But what if a buyer wants all stainless? I hear that's the shag rug of the 2010's.

Any advice? I have a multimeter but couldn't seem to jam it into the connector to the motor to test it out. Also, I've tested both motors again, keeping them outside of the housing and the little nub didn't turn at all.

[BudgetSlasher]

The brand and model number might help us, as wiring diagrams are often very common (or even on a slip of paper somewhere inside of the machine.

Of the top of my head.

1)The connections cold be bad
2) The computer board could be bad
3) You could have gotten a dud motor as a replacement
4) The wires could have rubbed against a sharp edge somewhere, exposed the conductors, and shorted out.

I lean away from it being the board due to the hitting the thing causing it to work. If I were you and wanted to save the microwave I'd follow the wires all the way back to the board.

Another option is to look on craigslist for a replacement (especially since you plan on moving); I just checked and locally they sell for 20-70 bucks for pretty much every finish.

[eyePod]

Thanks for the reply! I went to the Habitat Re-Store this AM and got same sized one for $50. Made sure to test it there too. :)

I would think that it's either 1, 2, or 4. I'm going to cut out the wires to test the motor after the fact from the old microwave. I'll want my money back if it doesn't work!

The worst part is that the part was more expensive than the new (used) microwave. Crazy that a 13 year old microwave part is that expensive.

Either way, I'll mark this as Solved (given up).

[paddedhat]

Just a bit of info. that might help somebody else?  If you can get the thing to fire up with a bang on the front, you might be closing the contacts on a worn or broken door safety switch.  This being the switch that prevents the thing from operating with the door open. As I dropped a microwave off at a repair place, for warranty work, I told the guy the exact same story, that whacking the front of the thing will temporarily resolve the issue. He gave me a knowing nod, changed the switch, and all was well.

[paddedhat]

Thanks for the reply! I went to the Habitat Re-Store this AM and got same sized one for $50. Made sure to test it there too. :)

I would think that it's either 1, 2, or 4. I'm going to cut out the wires to test the motor after the fact from the old microwave. I'll want my money back if it doesn't work!

The worst part is that the part was more expensive than the new (used) microwave. Crazy that a 13 year old microwave part is that expensive.

Either way, I'll mark this as Solved (given up).

I have a good buddy who was in the appliance repair business. I called him when my washer was spewing water all over, and he talked my through to the point of identifying a bad pump. Pumps cost him $16 each, or a six pack of them for $66, at a big regional supply house. I drove an hour to the place, they then carded me, and refused to sell me one at his price, but tried to ring it up at retail $36. I told them to keep it, and waited until I got one shipped to the house for less than $20.  Repair parts are one hell of a profitable gig. I later built a retirement home for a guy who was head of factory replacement parts for a major vehicle manufacturer. He told me that he never saw an end used pay less than 8X his cost, on a repair part. Meaning he could quadruple his cost, then the retailer would double it again, as a minimum.

[eyePod]

Well, good on your buddy and the retired dude. It's a pain in the ass to replace an over the range microwave. They're very nice to save on cabinet clutter, but it's definitely something that needs 2 people to change!

Figured I could send out a final update.

My dad and I put in the new (used) microwave. It works great. They're all about the same size anyways.

I took out both the old and the new motors from the non-working microwave. I cut the cords and stripped the wire covers so I could use the GFC outlet to test out the motor (like this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7dM6CHikwk). Turned off the GFC, plugged in the old one first (just in case it got fried). Lo and behold - the motor worked fine! Tested the new one as well and it was also in working order.

This means that there was probably loose wiring up the chain (something like the safety switch that paddedhat mentioned).

Either way, it all works now. I'm going to take the microwave to the recycling center on Saturday morning, and I'll sell the motors on eBay. The parts store was very adamant about no returns, and I know that the motor wasn't defective.

[paddedhat]

Just for kicks, why not pull the face plate off of the "junk" microwave, jump the safety switch, and see if it runs?  You might be a $5 part away from having a working unit. You're definitely right about two people hanging an overcounter unit. I've done quite a few alone, and there are times when the long top screws don't want to start, and you wonder if you can hold on long enough to get the thing threaded, and blast it tight with a battery drill. Haven't dropped one yet, but got very close.

[FIRE me]

If he did that, and it worked, wouldn't he get a face full of microwaves?

[Metric Mouse]

Could be a fuse?

[paddedhat]

If he did that, and it worked, wouldn't he get a face full of microwaves?

Sure, if you're dumb enough to temporarily jump the safety, and operate it with the door open, you could cause yourself some serious harm. If you jump the switch, close the door and hear the magnetron cycle on, you have diagnosed the problem.

[FIRE me]

Ah, I didn't know you could jump the safety switch with the door closed.