I was using the Convection feature of the oven when it went dead on me. No lights, no control panel, no noises…just dead. I checked power at the outlet which is still good. I checked the fuses which are still good. There are TCO (thermal cut off) units which I suspect to be the problem but how do I check if these units are still good? Is a basic continuity check sufficient or should I be checking for a specific resistance? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
[COLOR=“Red”]First, unplug the appliance[/COLOR].If you can locate the TCOs, a simple continuity check will suffice. When you check them, make sure you disconnect at least one of the wires connected to each one, so you don’t read any other resistance in the system. Also, make sure you check the main fuse, which is in-line with the power cord.
Thanks for the response. No continuity exists at the TCO, oven cavity (1430). The plastic protector for one of the leads is a little burnt! I read in a similar post that a service technician placed the triggered TCO in a cup of ice in the freezer for ten minutes to reset it. I already ordered the new part (with additional halogen bulbs that are forever blowing) but I will try the freezer method to see if I can revitalize the existing TCO in the mean time. I love this micro/oven but this has got to be one of the worst designs ever!
I’m glad you found the problem. The makers of microwave ovens seem bent on frustrating us by placing the components in un-reachable places. Keep us updated on your progress.
FYI - I tried the TCO “Freezer Reset” fix. Prior to the freezer, the TCO had no continuity. After the freezer, the TCO had continuity with varying resistance. I reinstalled the TCO to no avail. I guess this TCO is fuse type or the freezer could not restore the TCO to it’s original spec. I will re-post after I install the new unit. Hopefully I will have good news!
Good News! Installed the new TCO and the Micro came back to life. Thanks for the input Magician59. Just wondering how many unresourceful people tossed this unit due to a simple $15 DIY replacement part.
Well done! You’re right. You saved yourself a ton of money both in repair bills and in replacement cost.
http://www.gunshowminute.com/mwd/advantium_sca1000_sca1001_sm.pdf
Is a troubleshooting guide etc for this thing.
There are 3 TCO’s in it …magnetron should be closed,Cavity closed,hood tco will be normally open(this is the one on bottom of case behind the control panel.
Hi everyone,
I have had some issues with my Advantium 120 Above the Cooktop Oven model SCA1001HSS01. First the light in the microwave went out a couple months ago. The microwave still functioned fine just no light when the door was open or the unit was in use. Next, the surface light went out. Yesterday our electricity went out due to a storm and it seemed to be just fine. At dinner we cooked some frozen broccoli and when we took it out and closed the door we noticed it went out. It doesn’t turn on at all!! To be honest we never use the convection cooking we just use it as a microwave. I purchased the appliances new when i built my home late 2004. Is it just time to replace it?
FYI- A year after I purchased my new home I did have to have it repairs to fix the interior light and it also needed a new Board ASM Main (according to my receipt).
How can I fix it?
LeAnn
I would check the 2 fuses that are inside this oven. Their location is mentioned in previous posts.
My Advantium 240 went dead this morning. Power fuse OK. So I read all the posts about the thermal shutoffs and cursed the engineers that made a cheap, replaceable part require removal of the oven. So, combining the freezer fix with my desire for in situ repair I remembered a bottle of electronics duster I had lying around. This stuff is just compressed gas but if you tilt or, God forbid, turn it upside down and pull the trigger it will shoot out the gas which instantly evaporates and freezes everything it touches. So, despite the red “NEVER” on the can, I turned it upside down and shot the vent thermal cutoff for a few seconds and blew on it lightly. Did this twice. And, voila, the thermal cutoff that tested at 13k ohms just seconds before now tested at 0 ohms. Plugged the sucker back in and reboot she did. Wonder how long this will last? ( ;
I put a damaged TCO in ice water for 30 minutes and it worked for about 2 weeks before requiring replacement. So most likely you should order the part haha.
1st - Thanksgiving 2010
2nd - Thanksgiving 2013
Going to order the part again!! I just had rotator cuff surgury 2 weeks ago though. I tried to get at it without removing but no luck. Could only see the part.
I only have the problem when using the oven. No problems when using microwave. Fist one lasted 7 years the replacement 3 years. Use the oven only 1 to 3 times a year. Very disappointing!!!:mad:
After reading through most of the posts, I was able to decipher how to identify the TCO’s (not an easy task since the diagram does not specifically relate to the part numbers identified in the write-ups, nevertheless, the pictures of the part were the correct ones, and after looking through two different diagrams, I was able to identify where all three were located) and was able to take out all three TCO’s, based on the verbiage and not the diagrams, without taking the microwave down form the wall. There were some tight spaces but doable. I was able to check the conductivity of all three, where 2 of them were not letting power through them. I put those two in a cup of ice, in the freezer for over an hour, and re-tested them. they both re-set, thus allowing power to flow through them. I reinstalled, all of them, and viola the microwave came back to life, and works normally now. Thanks to all that contributed. I wish I would have read the post about freezing them in place with the compresses air cans, that would have been far easier, but se-la-vie, at least I didn’t have to take the whole thing down.
Can you post a link of where I can buy this 15$ part? I have the same issue 
so I want to try this.. DO i have to lower the microwave off the wall or can you just get in there and do this? any pics?
I was cooking in convection mode yesterday and this exact same thing happened to me. I am so thankful for this post. I will post when mine is up and running