Where and which magnetron do I need?

Nevermind. Found it. Google is my friend.

If you contact GE parts directly they should be able to help you.

In your case, the power transformer, rectifier, and capacitor should be verified. I have seen failures in all these areas when having the problem you are describing.

Jerry G.

Won't they want to charge you $189.50 for a magnetron that can be purchased for $40 from a service parts supplier. :) Or is the mag in that oven special?

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Sam, I never thanked you for helping me fix my old microwave. It was a Kenmore from about 1989 or so. That failed in 1997 or 1998. You told me to buy a $40 magnetron and replace it. I did that, and still have that microwave. Just sat in the basement for years after I moved to the new house. The GE spacemaker JVM1640 is one of those with a built in micro hood, so it came with the house. So now that it has failed, guess which microwave we're using as a replacement?

Apparently the JVM1640 series Microwave is known to have a poorly designed magnetron/waveguide subsystem there, and it overheats and dies. :( The magnetron part number is WB27X10489, and from my various research it seems to cost about $120. However, the warrenty for the magnetron is supposed to last 10 years (parts only). So it may still be covered under warrenty.

I am going to call GE and see if I can get an magnetron for free. The funny thing about this is that GE doesn't want you to touch the inside of the microwave (understandable), but the magnetron is warrented for parts only. So if I get a service call in for the microwave (installed into the house), the labor costs would probably be enough to buy a new one ($240 at Sears now). So I wonder how this is going to go when I ask for a magnetron under warrenty.