How To Fix An Oven That's Too Hot

On modern electronic control ranges, the oven temperature sensor is the part that monitors the oven temperature and signals the electronic control to turn the elements on and off. If it is not working properly it could be the reason why the oven is producing little or no heat.

How to test an oven’s temperature sensor with a multimeter:

1. Begin by verifying that you have unplugged your oven. Ovens often have voltages exceeding 200 volts, a jolt from which can be fatal.
2. Open your oven door to locate the temperature sensor. It will most likely be found attached to the back wall, near the top.
3. After allowing the sensor to reach room temperature, set your multimeter to Rx1 and touch the probes to the sensor’s terminals to test for continuity. The amount of resistance that a functional temperature sensor has varies between models, you will need to refer to your owner’s manual to determine what reading you should receive.
4. If the reading from your test does not match the manufacturer’s specifications, you need a replacement temperature sensor.

The oven control thermostat controls the bake and broil elements. It is a temperature-controlled switch and as such will have contacts that supply power to these elements. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause your oven to produce too little, too much or no heat at all. For a symptom of not enough heat the oven thermostat, although unlikely, may be at fault.

How to test your oven’s control thermostat with a multimeter:

1. Disconnect your appliance from the power supply before beginning.
2. Locate and remove your oven control thermostat in order to test it. While the location varies between models, it is usually found on or near the control panel.
3. Using a multimeter on the Rx1 setting, place the probes onto the thermostat’s terminals to test for continuity. Refer to your wiring diagram to determine which contacts you should be testing, as well as to determine what reading you should receive.
4. If your reading is outside the manufacturer's recommended range, you will need a replacement oven control thermostat.