72180033700 Kenmore Microwave - Instructions

After watching a few youtube videos, I used a phillips SD to take controll pannel off to access the switches that sense when microwave door is closed. Swapped out all 3 switched and mocrowave works like new. $20 fix (shipping included)

Unplug the unit before servicing. Need phillips screwdriver. Open door. Use step ladder to access and remove 2 small screws from top of the room air diffuser at top of unit. Slide diffuser slightly to the left to align the diffuser's plastic tab on the left side to rotate toward you. (The wires for the front control panel are at the far l ... Read more eft side of this difuser, but difuser is slotted for easy removal). Once the difuser is removed you will see 1 screw at the top that secures the pannel cover on the left side of the unit. Remove screw and slide this panel slightly up and out. This exposes the plastic frame that holds the upper and lower door switches. To locate the door switches and observe how they work, close and open the door and watch the door (bayonets) open and close the micro switches. Do the (red) buttons on top of the switches move up and down when the door bayonets push and release? If the buttons do not "pop" up when opened the switch is defective. The switch frame is secured with 2 screws. Remove screws and rotate the unit out for easy access to the micro switch(s). The internal (spring?) on my unit that is suposed to allow the red (visible) button on top of the switch to "pop" up when the door is opened was broken. Carefully pry the switch outward while being careful to lift the plastic holder-piece that holds the switch in place. Be careful, there is a small pin on the frame, so rotate the switch OUT toward you while lifting (carefully) the plastic holder-piece (you will see it on top of the switch). You can use an ohm meter to test the continuity of the switches. But if the buttons don't "pop" they are defective. Replace switch and reassemble.

The original cover was burned and actually caught on fire. Research informed me that food can splatter and stick to the cover. The particle will get hot enough to ignite the plastic cover. I ordered the cover and included the fan since it was so cheap, Replacement was super easy. Done in 10 minutes and made my wife happy. She was ready to ... Read more buy a new microwave because she thought something was wrong with ours but food splatter was the cause. Parts were less than $10 + $6 shipping. Keep the inside of the microwave clean!!

Fun and easy fix for my kids.

The countdown timer was working but no "cooking" happening. Did not hear the familiar sound of the heating part working.

Determined it might be some simple switches for under $15 dollars. Bought one of each. They allow the microwave to turn on/activate by signaling that the door is prop ... Read more erly latched. My wife noticed that it was failing and then failed over the course of about a day. Several times where it worked, then did not work. The timer was counting down one time and then when she opened the door the microwave heating component turned on. Guess it had activated the switch as she was opening the door.

Procedure to repair
- Unplug
- Remove two screws on front top - allows you to remove the vent. Realized there was a charcoal filter there that I had never replaced so ordered that after the fix.
- Remove two screws to pull off the front right panel (area where your microwave buttons are) One at the top under the before mentioned vent and one under the microwave on the far right corner.
- Have someone hold the panel because wiring is to short to place it on a ledge while connected or take a picture and remove connections. I simply held it while my daughter undid the micro switches.
- Carefully remove micro switches. There were two "orange" button ones so I chose the top one to replace along with the green button one that I had ordered, so I simply pulled an orange from the bottom and a green from the top latch area. You may have remove the part that holds the switches since it was a little tough with the wires in the way and not knowing how the switches stay put.
- plug in new switches and place in the brackets that hold them in place
- reverse everything you did.
Viola - a working microwave vs purchasing a brand new for several hundred dollars or having to call in a technician.I love that my young kids did this project with me and we actually got it running. Don't like to have to throw away more items at the landfill.

Semi-Handy Man

I replaced the whole component with all three switches in it even though only one switch was bad . Taking out one switch out of the holder unit would probably have damaged the unit that was holding the switches. Easy install and it works great again .

new glass tray

Watched a couple of repair videos on Youtube by searching for the model number. Found out what to do in order not to get shocked by the powerful capacitor.
Ordered the two switches (To be sure, I could have ordered a third switch as suggested in the videos.)
Bought a tamper-proof star bit to get the cover off. Followed the dir ... Read more ections to replace the switches. - I broke the harness and had to use some super glue, but it's all good. I should have removed the harness instead of trying to get a switch out while it was still in place.
It's all back together, and the wife is happy!!

diagnosed defective 'door-shut switch' in the switch holder assembly. rather than replace switch, replaced entire locker holder assembly which made for a very simple and easy repair...not to mention very inexpensive.

tested all 3 of the door switche for continuity, the top switch was faulty, replaced it,for approx $4.00 and saved a $350 dollar microwave.

I decided the door switch was the problem because 2 problems happened at the same time. I removed the 4 screws for the top outside cover and the 1 screw that held the control board. After removing the control board screw, I lifted it up and removed it. This gave me access to the 3 door switches. I then removed the 2 screws that held t ... Read more he plastic piece that holds the switches. This made it easier then to replace the switches.

Not knowing which of the switches to replace I ordered all three in the assembly. Replacing the full assembly was easy, first unplug the microwave. Then remove the top cover to access the screws that hold the control panel in place and let the control panel hang. There are two screws that hold the assembly in place - remove those. I u ... Read more sed needle nose pliers to pull the wires off of the switches and immediately put the wires on to the new assembly so there was no confusion on what wire went where. Place the assembly back in position, replace the two screws to hold it in, put control panel in place and secure screws. Replace top cover and plug in.

Unplugged the microwave. I opened the door. I used a butter knife to pop the bezel off the inside of the door. I pushed the locker up and to the left and used the butter knife to pry it loose. Disconnected the locker from the spring, and reversed for the installation.

Read the troubleshooting section on this site. Figured it was an interlock problem because the food was not getting hot (magentron not turning on) and the carousel was not turning. Did not think both the carousel motor and magnetron failed at same time, thus indicated an interlock problem. The interlock switches are actuated by the door ... Read more latch. Replaced the assembly locker piece with all three switches (only a $20 dollar part) and microwave was fully operational again. Wife and kids think I am a hero.

Removed the MW from the wall. Took the top screws off the air vent. Then removed the two screws holding on the display. I then moved the display to its side and it revealed the micro switches. I removed the plug in leads from the micro switch one at a time. I did this with all three micro switches only one at a time. I reinstalled everyth ... Read more ing and plugged it in. No more fans starting when the door is opened.

Removed outer cover

removed lower door switch

installed new switch

Wa La!