Microwave buzzing a vibrating

acctforjunk · 2006-02-26T23:48:12+00:00

Samsung MW8490W, about 6.5 years old. Tried microwaving somethingtoday, and the microwave just vibrates and buzzes. It's definately a60Hz-based buzz. No arcing or odd smells. Everything appears OKexcept the metal enclosure vibrates violently like there's a loosetransformer in there.Oh, it won't heat water, and is drawing only about 350W from the outletwhen running (rear label says 1.5KW).I can tell you everything you want to know about electronics (well,almost), but microwaves are somewhat of a mystery to me.Any ideas on what's wrong, or where to start?

Feb 26, 2006 22 Replies

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Ken G. 20 years ago

You did good . I have found that diode bad in many old microwaves .

I dont know how many of you work on newer microwaves . Some of them no longer have that big heavy transformer instead they used an inverter board . These make for great features on the oven but the first ones had alot of trouble If the mag went bad the oven will runf or 3 to 6 seconds then shut off A bad hi-volt diode on the board ,, same thing .

Those new small size Magic-chef do have a big transformer but they used very thin red cloth covered wire for hi-voltage . The wire in some of them laying next to any metal started arcing and caused that vibrating . with a smell . I cant believe they used that wire for HV . The newest model has a bare coax wire that was misplaced that falls against the light socket contact and fries a panel board copper trace and a relay . Great quality :-)

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mm 20 years ago

Yeah. I remember that movie. The guy taking apart the bomb said, I think I should cut the white wire. The guy on the phone said, No, Cut the white wire. I think it's the white wire. No. the white wire.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

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Seafarer 20 years ago

Brings me back to a rant I had with a Pansasonic Microwave.I've repaired loads of microwaves[I had a couple of restaurant chains service contracts] yet this inverter board went down. I knew this was a standard fault and I quickly found the Tranny that was short b/e. They wanted 160 pounds approx for a whole new board on exchange! the microwave cost 220 pounds new so that makes sense dosn't it? They and others use inverter boards to reduce weight but they are very flaky.I advise my customers to go for the standard construction and to ask me before buying[if not from me]. It's a rip off.

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