Replacing a gas sensor in a microwave?

[geekette]

Our 21 year old over the stove microwave's auto reheat/popcorn sensor no longer works.  Not a huge deal, but I found the "gas sensor" on ebay for <$10, which I think would fix it.

Does anyone know if that can be replaced without taking the microwave down off the wall?  I hope it's just in the grill area above the oven.

[Sibley]

Can't help, but seriously impressed that you have a 21 year old microwave. My roommate's didn't even last 2 years.

[geekette]

That's precisely why I don't want to replace it! 

[eil]

I don't know the answer to your question, but look at it this way: if you replace the microwave instead of repairing it, you still have to take it off the wall.

[geekette]

Six screws and a bit of poking around, we found the sensor behind the grill (and under a sheet metal access point).  It took a bit more fiddling, but we FINALLY figured out how to remove it, and ordered the part. 

[geekette]

The sensor took 10 minutes (max) to replace - and it works!  The microwave now shuts off when stuff's done again. 

Yay for DIY!

[HipGnosis]

Congrats!!!