66561709100 Kenmore Microwave - Instructions

I had been dealing with a broken vent cover and burned out light for several months. I should have fixed it much sooner if I knew how easy it was. PartSelect.com had pictures of everything I needed and after reading the repair stories I was able to disassemble the pieces necessary and clean them before reinstalling. Very fast shipping also. The vent grille attaches easily with a couple screws. It's weakest point is the plastic tabs which will break and then gravity puts the grill in the doors ways. The light bulbs can be accessed with a hinged glass door (one screw) but be careful they are very fragil and can break off. If they do unplug your unit, get a pair of needle nose pliers and slowly unscrew the rest of the bulb. If you wanting room or you want to clean the grease off, I recommend removing the whole bottom cover from the microwave (7 scews and 2 wire harness clips).

The installation was very easy. But I was most amazed by how quickly the part arrived. I ordered it online late in the afternoon and it was delivered in the morning on the NEXT DAY!

The problem I have with changing the bulb is my microwave is an overhead one and therefore I cannot tip it on its side to easily replace the bulb. I have to drop the lid down and carefully install the new bulb from underneath.

Took the replacement plate out of the box and put it in the microwave in seconds. I never realized how much of a difference having the correct microwave plate would make. It's great to have it back.

replaced it

My husband just installed the mounting plate on the wall and the microwave was placed in position and mounted in less than 5 minutes.

Problem was easily diagnosed using the internet as a resource, problem was a bad stirrer motor. Hardest part of the repair was the removal of the microwave. Once off the wall, you remove the outer cover and a molded plastic casing directly underneath the outer cover at the top of hte microwave to expose the stirrer motor. Removed two screws and two wires and the old motor is out. Did exactly the opposite to install the new motor. The kit I recvd included among other things the motor, a new inside cover, plastic rivets and even silicone to seal the inside cover. I am sure I saved a couple hundred dollars by doing myself.

You had alerted that it was imperative to unplug unit before starting to remove defective bulb. As described, there was silicon on bulb and socket and bulb broke upon my attempt to remove. Had to use needle nose pliers to get metal base of old bulb from socket, then all went well.

New part was a little difficult to insert: had to push up the frame of the microwave.

It was supposed to be a very easy replacement, but when inserted the legs in the bottom openings, the legs at the top didn't enter the opening.If insert first the top legs then the bottom legs could not go in. Tried to put a little force when turning grill to enter the top legs with the screws support. Finally very carefully put first the top legs, entering horizontally, and then giving a little push (forcing) the bottom legs in. This was not supposed to be this way, because I could had brake the bottom legs clip.

Used a screw driver

The lady in the Nova Scotia call center should get all the credit for being able to identify the part I needed from only the very limited information I was able to give her. Employee of the month for her. She also had such a great can do attitude. Lawence Baier

Well, to get to the screws for the handle, the door "choke" had to be removed, which was difficult, until I read that you need a putty knife. But I had already tried to take the old one off, and it was brittle & cracked, so I also had to purchase the "choke"/frame. Once the parts arrived (within 3 days!), installing them was easy, but then I had a problem with the door. It wouldn't shut correctly, which made the microwave shut off intermittently during use. So I had to determine which of the latch catches had the sensor. (It was the top one.) I tried adjusting it without any disassembly, but it fell out & down inside the oven. So I figured out how to get that part of the oven open. I had to remove the upper grill and the touch panel. Once those were out, it was easy to retrieve the latch catch & install it correctly. I reassembled the oven, and now everything works fine. This oven was manufactured for Sears by Whirlpool over-14 years ago, and has been very reliable, so I'm not complaining. Interestingly, I looked at new microwaves and found a Maytag model (also made by Whirlpool) almost identical to the one I have. I examined it and found that the door, touch panel and grill are almost identical and use the same parts as mine!

Ordered the item on a Monday at 12pm and it arrived the next day. Amazing!

Total time to replace was 10 minutes, this included unpacking the new vent. Simple to install with 2 set screws on the top of the unit.