RF491R3 Hotpoint Range - Instructions

First I removed the two screws that hold the element in place againts the oven wall. I then pulled the element out about 3 inches and disconnected the two wires. These wires were screwed into the element so it was important to order the correct screw-in type replacement element. I pushed the wires back into place and screwed in the pl ... Read more ate that holds the element against the oven wall. It was very quick and easy.

The hardest part of this entire repair was locating the right socket and explaining why/how I burned my fingers (yes I had to touch the element to prove to myself it was that easy to fix and worked). 4 screws, 1 replacement part 5 minutes no cussing. This was the easiest repair I have ever done.

The bake element was completely missing from the stove. There were two wires sticking out of the back of the oven, one with a terminal on the end and the other with the insulation still on and no bare wire showing/ The right side mounting screw was there..

The left mounting screw hole on the oven had been drilled out oversized, ... Read more so I drilled another hole in the mounting plate above the original., after attaching the element with a single screw.

I removed the one screw, removed the bake element and pulled the electrical wire without the terminal end. Next, I put a terminal on the wire and attached the wires to the element. Finally I installed the element with the two screw into the rear of the oven.

Unfortunately the element didn't work, so my next step is to trace the wiring and determine if a switch or thermostat might be faulty. I have checked the continuity of the wires from the bake element to the thermostat.

More in chaper two..

removed the end caps from the stove panel, unscrewed the back, unscrewed the old switch, CAREFULLY noting which wire went to which terminal, removed the wires.
Reversed the process. took a little longer because I felt compelled to do a thorough cleaning while I was there.

Before ordering the new part, made sure the problem was the burner and not the wiring in this very old stove by putting an ohmmeter on the terminals of the burner after removing it. Since it showed no conductivity, the burner was bad (could have put the voltmeter on the wires and turned on the power to ensure power was coming in......bu ... Read more t did not want to mess with 240 volt/high amperage. With power off at the breaker, installed new burner. One caution... since the wire on the burner terminals is pretty soft, don't bend them by putting too much torque on the screws. This turned out to be my only problem.....I had to clean up the screws and work them through the copper terminals with the burner outside the oven before attempting to screw them on the wire connectors in the oven. Not a big problem, but if you bend the terminals too much when you install the burner in the oven, you run the risk of shorting them together, or breaking one. And that would be a big problem.

Pulled range out from the wall. Unplugged cord from outlet. Removed old knob, removed two phillips screws a very top of chrome trim, removed six nut-head screws from back to reveal the switches...removed two set screws from the front at knob base. Visually checked to make sure wiring post of new switch matched the old one. There was enoug ... Read more h slack in the wiring to remove one wire at a time and connect it to the new switch in its appropriate place. Put new switch in the panel and secured with the two set screws. Select the bushing that would take up the slack for the old knob to fit on the new switch stem. Held new stem at its base with pliers and used another pair of pliers to snap the stem at appropriate length. (The new stem could not be broken off short enough to have the knob as flush to the panel as the other knobs...this was the only negative factor in the repair) Replaced nut-head screws and phillips screws. I was especially pleased with the quick delivery of the part...even without special shipping rates I received the part in less than 18 hours from the time I ordered it online!

Removed screws that hold element in place. Disconnected the two electrical leads. Put the new element in place, hooked up the two leads and installed the the screws that hold the element in place.

The part arrived ahead of time by mail. I removed the old coil, very simple,, I installed the new one just as easy , Turned on oven and it worked prefectly , its a very simple procedure, thank you

Removed 2 screws (with 1/4" nut driver) on bracket holding heat element at back of oven. Pull element forward to expose the 2 wires connected to element, remove screws on wire corrections with flat head screw driver. Remove element from oven......Reverse the steps to install new heat element.....very easy job....except I cleaned the oven ... Read more while I had the element out of the oven.

1. Turn off power to range and remove element.
2. Remove clips from ceramic guards.
3. Disconnect wiring.
4. Connect wires to new element.
5. Install ceramic guards and clips
6. Attached element to range.
7. Restore power.

Because of the age of the oven it took a little time to loosen the screws that held the element in. Once the screws were removed it was a matter of pulling the element out about 3 inches and disconnected the two wires, then it was a matter of repeating the steps in reverse. Very quick and easy

First I shut off the range breaker in the main electrical panel. I slid the oven door off for easy access to the back of the oven. I loosened the two hex head screws holding the element to the oven wall. I pulled the element forward to reveal the two hex head screws holding the wires to the element and removed the old element. I attac ... Read more hed the wires to the new element with the hex head screws, fastened the element to the oven wall, slid the oven door back on, and flipped on the breaker. I gathered up my tools and left the apartment. It took me longer to get to the apartment and back than it did to do the repair. PartSelect.com got the part to me within two days of my order, and for six dollars in shipping that's great.. PartSelect.com has been added to my internet bookmark.

This was quite an easy fix once I got the correct part. It was my own fault for ordering what I thought went with my oven. I didn't expect to be able to even find a new heating element because the stove is almost 40 years old. Except for that one part it works just fine. It took me about 20 minutes to do the repair. I unplugged the stove, ... Read more unscrewed the 2 screws holding the element to the back of the stove, pulled it out far enough to unscrew the 2 screws attached to the wires, screwed the new part to the wires, screwed the whole unit back onto the back of the stove and plugged it back in. It works great. Moving the stove away from the wall was more difficult than installing the new part. It couldn't have been easier and it was a lot less expensive than buying a new stove. Also, the customer service people I spoke to were very friendly and helpful and there was no problem returning the incorrect part. I would recommend this company to anyone who asks.

First I made sure the electricity was off. Then, I flipped the burner up, and loosened the screwon the hinge. This allowed the burner to extend onto the cook surface. After loosening the clips holding the ceramic insulator together, the wires to the element were exposed. The wires were then transferred to the new burner element from th ... Read more eir corresponding position on the old one. The new ceramic insulator was affixed over the wire with clips, and the hinge reattached. The chrome ring was worked over the burner, and the burner reseated in its proper cook poistion. Testing confirmed the burner to now work as new.

Repair was easy.
Note: the element leads have a potential across them,
so unplug the unit or you'll have an arc strike.

I liked the selection method at PartsSelect.com.
Finding the replacement part was easy from the pictures.
The prices were reasonable.

The part came next day, which was a surprise ... Read more .
Removal and Installation was 4 screws.
I have become a DIY hero.

Only downside was going out for dinner every night ended.
This site is now a Favorite.