HELP...Oven went kaput

[Lori Kleinberg]

Went to preheat oven last night and after about 30 minutes realized it wasn't working . Had no warning, nothing to warn it was going to die. The stove and the broiler parts still work, just the oven doesn't . It is a GE XL44 about 10-11 years old, we are original owners.

Any one have any guesses what is wrong? We thought we would call a repair service and see if it is worth fixing. I know they say if your appliances are 10 years or older they should be replaced with new more energy efficient appliances, but this is cutting it pretty close .

Also, I am in the process of spending my money on pen turning equipment , I don't want to buy new appliances right now .

[Steve Schlumpf]

Lori - chances are the element died. No big deal - happens. You should be able to get a replacement element at any appliance store that stocks parts. When you call asking about the element - they will need the model number - so have it on hand.

Good luck!

[David G Baker]

Lori,
I looked your model stove up on the Internet and discovered that it is a gas stove, is that correct?
If so, there seems to be problems with the igniter on that stove model. In many cases stoves are quite easy to repair if you can do it yourself but if you have to bring in a repairman the cost may make you think that replacing the stove that is 10 years old is a better idea.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Gas stove sure makes a difference!!

Please disregard my previous suggestions!

[Tom Godley]

With a gas stove -- you have an electric igniter that often goes. They are normally easy to replace. Unless this is very old and you have a pilot

If you go to appliancebolg.com you can look over the common problems. You can also join for I think $5 -- for life -- not sure who's life But this allows you to ask a question.

Anyway -- well worth the price as they will give you all the info you need. Also, they are partnered with a couple of the big online appliance parts suppliers and two will allow you to return any part - even if you installed it !! This is great because often more than one part can be the problem. If you go to the suppliers directly -- they will not allow you to do this.

Not affiliated in any way -- just a happy customer. And they ship incredibly fast even with the cheapest shipping option. I normally get stuff the next day.

[Pat Germain]

While I'm not familiar with your particular range, FYI, GE makes some extremely low-end appliances for builders/developers. I'm not suggesting all GE appliances are like this. But I bought my house new nine years ago and the appliances installed by the builder are the cheapest things I had ever seen. Seriously, I don't think you can even get them at a regular appliance store.

My GE dishwasher had only one spinner, at the bottom, and sounded like a 747 taking off when running. It worked only slightly better than hosing down the dishes with cold water from the garden hose. I replaced it with a Bosch almost immediately. My range was actually an "upgrade", but it's still a very cheap GE electric model. It works just barely OK. The oven has a few cold spots so nothing bakes evenly. I expect it will die any day now. When it does, I'll dispose of it and replace it with something decent.

Thus, if your range is by chance one of the GE "contractor grade" models that came with the house, it's probably even more likely it's not worth repairing. And gas typically isn't something you want to mess with yourself. Good luck!

[Lori Kleinberg]

Well as usual you guys are amazing. Quick responses with lots of info, thank you.
Sorry Steve meant to mention it was gas. David, my husband also thought maybe the igniter. Tom, that is a good website to check out. We will probably call a repair company to take a look. The hubby just doesn't have the time right now to mess with it. Since he does 99% of the cooking and pays the bills who am I to argue . Pat, that is exactly the type of appliances I have. They came with the house when it was built in 1999. After reading your post I had to run to my kitchen and see if you had stolen my dishwasher , you described it so well.
Thanks again for all your help.

[Zach England]

I'd forget about it and just read some Sylvia Plath.

[Mike Circo]

We will probably call a repair company to take a look.

Don't give up so quick. I had that exact oven for years and replaced the igniter 3 times before I ditched the whole thing. When the repair guy came out, it was $275 to fix. When I did it myself it was $70. Big difference.

Try www.repairclinic.com

An excellent tool for finding parts. On a guess, I believe your part to be this...

http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDe...90&PartID=1990

It takes all of 15 minutes to replace. Just remove two hexhead screws from the floor of the oven and remove that big panel. Then remove the burner assembly, held in at the front with one screw if I recall. The igniter is at the back of the oven with the wires running beneath the floor of the oven and into the area behind the drawer at the bottom (take that out too).

Just remove the wire nuts from below, and unscrew the igniter from above. Reverse the order for the installation. EASY.

Let me know if you need more detail.
Mike

[Myk Rian]

The ignitor (glow element) isn't hard to replace. A screw or 3. UNPLUG the oven first.

[Chris Padilla]

Another good site: repair2000.com

I posted about my lower element being out...the site owner had me check some things...then he sent me a new element...great place...saved lottsa money using it and fixing my own stuff.

[Dave Johnson29]

I know they say if your appliances are 10 years or older they should be replaced with new more energy efficient appliances

Huh? Who says? My Kenmore glass-top electric purchased in 1978 is about to get it's second lower oven element. That's the only thing that has failed in it.

I sure would like a turn table in the microwave though. I guess that was not the technology back then.

[Joe Mioux]

you need a new table saw.

[tyler mckee]

Sounds like the glow bar. Even if it still gets red hot it can be bad. They get old and don't get hot enough, so the gas safety valve never gets turned on, easy fix should take all of 10 minutes. I just replaced one on a different brand and i think it was $38+ shipping. repair place wanted $130 just to diagnose problem.

[Lori Kleinberg]

So much help, thanks. Tonight we looked over the troubleshooting guide that came with the stove, found something about gas shut off, that sounded alot like our problem but couldn't find the fix they were talking about. This seemed really strange since it is the booklet that came with the stove .

Will definitely have hubby check those web sites. If everything is as quick and easy as you guys say I am sure he would be willing to do it. The repairman is scheduled for Thursday and it is $130 something + parts .

I have nothing against getting new appliances, just not right now. We haven't fully discussed a kitchen remodel/expansion. The hubby keeps telling me to MYOB, it is his kitchen, but I keep telling him it is my house and my decision . You would think that after 32 1/2 years of marriage he would understand the ground rules by now . But nooo ... he tells me to just go play with my tools and leave the kitchen to him .

No new tablesaw. I really love my Jet ProShop and need to concentrate on pen turning stuff. That lathe is driving me crazy, it keeps calling my name and telling me to turn it on .