[jlotton]

It seems my micro is dead. It was left running with nothing in it for an extended period of time. I came home to a horrible 'burnt electic device smell'.

The unit display was off, which was an indication of no power. I went to the main breaker and found it was tripped. The micro is on it's own 20 amp breaker.

Resetting the breaker brought the display back. I reset the clock and decided to try the micro again with a glass of water inside.

It came on and began to work for about 5 to 10 seconds and it tripped the breaker again. So it's officially dead.

What I'm hoping for is some advice of what is really wrong with it, (which component inside of it) so I can be informed when I decide weather to service or replace it.

It smells to foul that I can't imagine putting food in it ever again but hey, if it's a cheap fix I just might try it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

With out checking the microwave out it is had to say but with the smell I am leaning toward the magnetron.

The smell will likely stay in the unit.

Here is a link to your microwave model kcms145jss-1.

[jlotton]

Originally Posted by PS Staff - Sheila

With out checking the microwave out it is had to say but with the smell I am leaning toward the magnetron.

The smell will likely stay in the unit.

Here is a link to your microwave model kcms145jss-1.

I popped off the cover and had a look around inside there. I don't see anything wrong with the magnetron but the transormer looks bad and has some black tar looking goo oozing out of it. There is also a moderate amount of the goo sputtered all around the area where it oozed out of the transofrmer. I suspect that is the failed item.

Inside the machine I found a copy of the service instructions. It outlines some simple tests that can be run to dermine the overall health of the main components. In those instructions, it says to discharge the capacitor. Question I have is how do I safely do this ?

I have a voltmeter and I can run all the simple diagnostic checks outlined in the service bulletin but I don't know how to safely discharge the capacitor.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

To safely discharge the capacitor take a screwdriver and lay it across the terminals of the capacitor.

There may be a big snap.

If the transformer is melted you have found your problem.