My timer unit quite responding to any attempts at control and the panel does not light anything in the display. It happened very quickly with no earlier signs of wear or trouble.

Model Number on the stove: Frigadaire FES300DSB

I removed the clock/timer module and (after removal from the oven itself) checked continuity for all the wires headed into the unit - all checked. The components (resistors, caps, etc) all show NO visual stress. I really tend to suspect something isn't making contact as it should more so than component failure.

I'm fairly literate with electronics as I hobby in tube and solid state audio equipment.

Any suggestions or maybe hints as to where to troubleshoot next would be appreciated.

As I suspected, a simple open circuit somewhere, somehow.

After cleaning contacts (deoxit is your friend!) and reinstalling the timer unit all is good.

"Electronic devices usually blow with no exterior evidence that they have gone bad."

True - but individual components often show signs of stress. capacitors and resistors almost always exhibit physical symptoms of failure. Boards can also show "burnt" area indicating problems.

Unfortunately, I don't know which contacts were bad - I used the deoxit on all the push buttons and unhooked and rehooked the plastic cable connector. Once I plugged it all back in the unit was functional again.