I have a quite old Amana range/microwave combo RCC-1020 with a smooth surface cooktop. One of the cooktop burner switches has failed and will no longer turn the burner off. I removed the panel to look as the switches before ordering a replacement, but was confused slightly by the wiring. All of the burner controls have a heavy, loosely insulated wire going into the side of the switch - in addition to the wires attached to the spade terminals on the rear of the switch. From the appearance of the wire into the side I would guess that it's a thermocouple/thermistor type connection. None of the replacement parts seem to have this connection. Can I replace the switch with one lacking the side wire? Is the side wire the thermostatic control for the burner?
Thanks,
Johnny Brian