GE oven wouldn't turn off
#1
02-17-15, 05:59 AM
GE oven wouldn't turn off
I have a GE electric range with stove top over the oven. Something very strange happened last night. I was boiling water in a sauce pan on the stove, and it somehow turned on the upper heating broiler element in the oven.
Then earlier I was baking pizza at 425 degrees and the upper broiler element turned on also and I couldn't turn it off. The food got scorched and I finally had to shut off the circuit breaker to the range.
What the hell is going on! How is this possible? Stove top and oven are separate controls.
Then earlier I was baking pizza at 425 degrees and the upper broiler element turned on also and I couldn't turn it off. The food got scorched and I finally had to shut off the circuit breaker to the range.
What the hell is going on! How is this possible? Stove top and oven are separate controls.
#3
02-17-15, 08:17 AM
Group Moderator
I would doubt that the control board is turning the broil element on but it is possible.
My first thought is a shorted element. One side of the element is connected to always live power and the other end of the element is powered by the control board. If the element is shorted to ground it will heat although not as hot.
Check the element and see if the entire unit is red.
My first thought is a shorted element. One side of the element is connected to always live power and the other end of the element is powered by the control board. If the element is shorted to ground it will heat although not as hot.
Check the element and see if the entire unit is red.
#4
02-17-15, 11:50 AM
Yes. The entire upper broiling element is red. I can't find the owner manual. But I can respond tomorrow with the model #.
#5
02-17-15, 09:04 PM
All I know is that it is a 20 year old GE electric kitchen range. There is no part number or model name on the range and I no longer have the owner manual.
#6
02-17-15, 09:05 PM
Group Moderator
The entire element glowing red tells me that there is not a defect in it causing your problem which leads us directly to the control board.
#7
02-18-15, 06:24 AM
I will most likely have to replace it. It don't think it is safe to use. Are the electric ones pretty much the same electrical rating/volts,etc?
#8
02-18-15, 09:00 AM
Group Moderator
#9
02-18-15, 11:38 AM
If I buy a new one, is there anything I need to be aware of regarding power rating, volts, watts, etc?
#10
02-19-15, 09:27 PM
Group Moderator
#11
02-23-15, 06:40 AM
I tested the range this weekend. I turned the stovetop burners and oven elements on and off. And I retraced my steps when it first happened.
The problem has not repeated. I'm not sure if I should just replace the whole thing or not. But I also don't want to turn the circuit breakers on and off every day. This couldn't be a one time anomaly could it?
It seems to me if this happened once, it is a problem that will eventually resurface.
The problem has not repeated. I'm not sure if I should just replace the whole thing or not. But I also don't want to turn the circuit breakers on and off every day. This couldn't be a one time anomaly could it?
It seems to me if this happened once, it is a problem that will eventually resurface.
#12
02-23-15, 09:21 AM
Group Moderator
It seems to me if this happened once, it is a problem that will eventually resurface.
Since everything is fine now the only logical thing I can think of is that the control relay for the oven is getting stuck on. With age... the contacts get pitted and can sometimes stick together.
#13
02-23-15, 12:06 PM
Thanks Pete,
Is the control relay something I can purchase and replace easily enough? Or is it not worth the trouble for a 20 year old range that might have another malfunction?
Is the control relay something I can purchase and replace easily enough? Or is it not worth the trouble for a 20 year old range that might have another malfunction?
