[ibdavid]

Hello,

I have an approximately 2.5 year old Maytag electric MER5755QAW. Two days ago my wife was baking and she gave quite a yelp when she saw a bright flash from the base of the oven and heard a quick buzzing humm sound. The oven's bake and broil elements no longer work. The cooktop, clock, control panel, and oven light all operate "normally".

I have tried to read several posts to try and figure out problem. It would be nice if just elements need to be replaced, but why would both not work? This leads me to think maybe problem is not elements, and maybe problem is thermal fuse??

My question is what do you think problem is and is it worth fixing? I would also be curious what I should expect to pay to have fixed if it is not something I can handle myself?

Thanks,
David

[Gene]

Hi David,

Visually inspect both heating elements for any visible damages.

Turn the power to range off.

Pull the range, remove the back cover and check all wires.

Remove at least one wire from the Broil and the Bake elements terminals and check the elements for continuity.

If there is nothing wrong then the control board (aka clock) has to be replaced.

- The part number for the Broil heating element is AP3455707

- The part number for the Bake heating element is AP3860007

- The part number for the clock is AP3480886

The following article on our forum will explain in detail how to run a continuity test using either an analog meter or a digital meter – How to check continuity with Ohmmeter.

I believe the 2.5 years old range is worth to fix but your decision should be based on condition of the unit.


Gene.


P.S. There are no fuses.

[ibdavid]

"Pull the range, remove the back cover and check all wires.

Remove at least one wire from the Broil and the Bake elements terminals and check the elements for continuity."

Gene,

Can I just remove the elements and check for continuity y using the two ends of the element?

If I remove the back will it be apparent on how to "remove one wire" and test for continuity?

Thanks,
David

[Gene]

David,

I recommended to check the heat elements mostly to make sure there is no short on ground. For the same reason you have to check the wires on the back.

There is very big chance that the control board is shorted out and has to be replaced and I would like to prevent possible damage to the new control board if there is a short on ground.

Gene.

[ibdavid]

Originally Posted by Gene

David,

I recommended to check the heat elements mostly to make sure there is no short on ground. For the same reason you have to check the wires on the back.

There is very big chance that the control board is shorted out and has to be replaced and I would like to prevent possible damage to the new control board if there is a short on ground.

Gene.

Gene,

Thanks so much for your advice. Sorry for my long delay, but here is what I have found.

With a digital meter set to 200 ohm the top element reads 15.8
The bottom element reads open

I took out the oven cavity floor to inspect the bottom element and it is literally severed in one spot.

Does this mean that I need just replace the bottom element?

Thanks Again,

David

[ibdavid]

Gene,

I wanted to add that there appears to be scorching near the oven light inlet(light does still work). I check continuity on that too and it reads 26. Unsure if scorching was related to bake element failure.

When I checked continuity did I also check for "short on ground" as you advised to check for. Sorry, I am knew to this.



Light Area:




Failed Bake element:

[Gene]

David,

The Bake heating element has to be replaced. No doubt about it.

- The part number for the Bake heating element is AP3860007

To check for "short on ground" you have to put one of the test probes on testing part terminal and touch with the second test probe any metal body of this part.

All wires on the picture looks good.

Gene.

[ibdavid]

Gene,

Thanks for the reply. I will go ahead and order the bake element. One question before I do, why would the broil element not come on? Is this just due to the bake elements failure?

Thanks,
David

[Gene]

David,

Let's do one thing at a time. Replace the Bake element and post the result.

Gene.

[ibdavid]

Ok, will do. Thanks.