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How to go about fixing my '79 Caloric range
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Model: DON'T KNOW Brand: Caloric Age: More than 10 years
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TrevorS  
#1 Posted : Wednesday, February 6, 2013 5:12:44 PM(UTC)
TrevorS

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The upper oven on my dual oven Caloric electric range has died. The range came new when the house was new in '79. The upper oven failed once roughly twenty years ago and was repaired by a technician. I don't know what he replaced, but in the process he broke two of the three clock dial shafts and three or more of the plastic knobs on the control panel at the upper left. A good job! I don't want to have to pay someone else for more of the same and so I'm trying to find out how to tackle this myself (besides, money's tight these days).

The symptom is I turn on the upper oven and the panel lamp comes on, but the oven element doesn't heat. With the breaker off, I checked continuity through the selector/thermostat switch and it appears OK (temporarily disconnected the wires, except for one that appears to be a temperature probe that passes below the oven door and up the right side, it isn't removable). So perhaps the lower element has failed (I never broil)? Or could there be something else causing the problem?

Oh, yes -- if I turn the switch all the way to broil, the upper element doesn't heat either.

I'm attaching photos of the range and hope they'll help (looked for a label but didn't spot one). Yeah, it could do with more cleaning. The four rocker switches below the panel are left to right: Timed/Upper/Manual, Upper Oven Lamp, Burner Deck Lamp, Timed/Lower/Manual.

Here's hoping -- Trevor

Range_2.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket
Range_3.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket
Range_1.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket
Range_4.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket
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Gene  
#2 Posted : Thursday, February 7, 2013 2:49:00 PM(UTC)
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Hi Trevor,

There are two knobs in the upper portion of the clock. One of them should be pushed in while the other one should be popped out. You have to play with them. In order to pop it out you have to turn the dial to the 0 position.

Gene.
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TrevorS  
#3 Posted : Thursday, February 7, 2013 9:41:11 PM(UTC)
TrevorS

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Hi Gene,

I actually don't use the timer function (the only user), but I just checked them and both the upper shafts are at zero and re-extend when I push and release them (left shaft STOP, right START). They only stay in if rotated past the zero point (pointer straight up). Also, the leftmost and rightmost rocker switches are both set to "Manual", not "Timed".

Thanks -- Trevor
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Gene  
#4 Posted : Friday, February 8, 2013 1:51:11 PM(UTC)
Gene

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Check the Bake heating element for continuity. Check the wires connected to the heating element.

Gene.
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TrevorS  
#5 Posted : Saturday, February 9, 2013 1:02:38 PM(UTC)
TrevorS

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Hi Gene,

OK -- think I'll have to pull the range out to do that, too hard to reach back there with just the control panel released. I'll be back to you.

Thanks -- Trevor
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Gene  
#6 Posted : Saturday, February 9, 2013 2:53:27 PM(UTC)
Gene

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Are you sure you can not just pull out the heating element from inside of the oven?

Gene.
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TrevorS  
#7 Posted : Saturday, February 9, 2013 4:40:18 PM(UTC)
TrevorS

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Sure enough, two Phillips screws and it pulls out. It tests open, and naturally, the rear connector pulled back through the hole following disconnection and so I have to re-feed it. Looks like I need to find a new lower element. I suppose the most likely explanation for no broil is a bad upper element -- have to see how to remove it.

Thanks -- Trevor
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TrevorS  
#8 Posted : Sunday, February 10, 2013 2:41:19 PM(UTC)
TrevorS

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Originally Posted by: TrevorS Go to Quoted Post
Sure enough, two Phillips screws and it pulls out. It tests open, and naturally, the rear connector pulled back through the hole following disconnection and so I have to re-feed it. Looks like I need to find a new lower element. I suppose the most likely explanation for no broil is a bad upper element -- have to see how to remove it.

Thanks -- Trevor

I've spent some time looking for a replacement lower element (bake) and am finding no leads. Here are a couple photos of it with dimensions and at least most of the info imprinted on the element itself -- part may be obscured by drops of what appears to be solder.
Range_5.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket
Range_6.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket
Range_7.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket

Dimensions are approx 4" element center-to-center deep by 16-7/8" from screw-mount tabs to right element center. The imprinted info on the top left of the element as best I can make out is "8459 (solder blobs and blank space) RP791 1500W 240V plus there may be a single numeral perhaps 6 or 8 a little further down. The first four characters are shown in the last photo above, the "R" of the second group is a best guess. If anyone can point me to a specific replacement element, that would be really great!

I'd also appreciate a hint on how the upper (broil) element is removed. I don't see any fasteners on the left side of the oven and pulling towards the right doesn't seem to accomplish anything. I did notice its terminals behind the control panel are the same style as the lower element.
Range_8.jpg Photo by TrevorSt | Photobucket

Thanks and continuing to hope/hunt -- Trevor

PS. Although it would be nice if I can locate an exact replacement, I'm perfectly willing to install an element that is merely close enough to do the job. If I have to modify the terminations or whatever, that's fine. As long as any mods are reasonably doable.

PPS. Also, if anyone can identify either the exact Caloric Model (1979) or range of similar models from my photos, that would also be great.
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Gene  
#9 Posted : Monday, February 11, 2013 11:36:44 AM(UTC)
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The part number RP791 crossed over to the Part number: CH5870
Part number: CH5870



Check for the upper element fasteners behind the control panel.

Gene.
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TrevorS  
#10 Posted : Monday, February 11, 2013 1:10:43 PM(UTC)
TrevorS

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Originally Posted by: Gene Go to Quoted Post
The part number RP791 crossed over to the CH5870.

Thanks very much Gene! Hunted around for a more helpful photo but nada, so took the plunge -- it works out or it doesn't. Whatever I receive, I'll report on it including a photo. My fingers are crossed!

Now, back to removal of the upper element. Hmm, think I'll heat some pasta first :)!

Thanks again -- Trevor
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