72180403402 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)

Removed the retaining clip that keeps the door on, took the door off. Removed the plastic rim that is clipped into place. Removed old screws holding on handle and replaced.

Open the door and start at the outside perrimeter of the plastic moulding by inserting the putty knife and gently prying up.I started at the 2 latches that secure the door when it closes.Work your way around to the top and bottom. I was able to leave the portion of the plastic moulding by the door hinges still intact while removing the screws for the handle and replacing with the new one.After handle is on gently snap moulding back in place.Remember start at the inside of the door in the small opening at the outter edge of the door.

ordered on the part select web site, came quickly, order was correct

It was really simple. I used the putty knife the seperate the plastic trim, paying particular to start near the latches as someone else posted. Once the trim was pulled back Wow the screws were right there. I unscrewed the broken handle and attached the new handle. It was really easy and my wife thinks I'm amazing thanks for the help.

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 .

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 properly 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

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.

With the amount of force needed to open the microwave door I can see this repair repeated. Some of the handle was still attached to the door so I could open it easy enough. there is a flamge covering the scerws to remove the handle. using a small flat blade screw driver aids in the removal of the flange to expose the screws. the square flange surrounds the entire frame of the door.remove the screws located in the recessed edge along the outside edge of the door.do this by viewing the location of the peices still attached to the door. after removing the screws and broken parts of the old handle,place the new handle in the cutouts where the handle is located,replace the screw,this may take some force since the handle is new. reposition the flange to the framevia the snaps along the edges and becareful not to force it because damage to the snaps are possible.thats it,two minute repair.

Removed the inside door cover by taking a putty knife and inserting it by the door levers all around the door while pulling forward to seperate the cover so the screws that held the handle on could be reached. However, the part did not fit and had to be returned. Replaced cover by pinching it back in place.

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 the plastic piece that holds the switches. This made it easier then to replace the switches.

Used putty knife to unsnap tabs to separate inner trim on top, bottom and handle sides (left the hinge side attached), removed upper and lower screws, replaced handle, reinserted screws (tight fit, big fingers, several dropped screws, one under the stove = 15+ minutes), re-snapped trim

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 used 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.

I unplugged the microwave. I did watch a YouTube video to see how the plastic frame around the door could be removed. I used a putty knife to pry it off. The spring was still in good shape, so I hooked it up to the new latch/locker part and onto the microwave. This was just a little time consuming because I was trying to be careful so I wouldn't break anything on the new part. The plastic frame clicked right back on. I plugged the microwave in and it worked right away. If I can do it, you can do it. Sure beat buying a new microwave. Great experience.