When I attempted to remove the bake element to better clean the oven, the left spade connection to the element made contact with the oven cabinet and arc welded itself to the edge of the hole. Yes, I know I was stupid not to turn the breaker off FIRST. I turned off the breaker and continued with my chore. I first had to pry the welded terminal off the cabinet to finish removing the element. There wasn't much left of the short wire piece between the element and the spade terminal, let me tell you, but it was still attached. No problem for guy with an oxy-acetylenebrazing outfit - I fixed that with a dollop of bronze rod. Good as new and the resistance of the element was 20 ohms (normal I think).

When I put the bake element back in and tested it, it would not heat up (yes I reset the breaker). The clock, timer and broiler element all work but not the bake element. I removed the element and checked voltage across the two leads. With the oven NOT calling for heat the voltage was 50 volts (residual or back-feed EMF). When I turned the oven on, the voltage dropped to 0. The vent fan came on and the thermostat registered but no power to the element circuit.

OK so what do I check next? I have no wiring diagram so I don't know if there's anything in that circuit that could be open and somehow needs to be reset or if just messed the thing up royally.

Thanks for your help after you stop laughing about me not turning the breaker off first. That's what happens when someone who should know better gets complacent!