Brand: KitchenAid Model Number: KMCS3022GSS3 Main Symptom: Control panel display is blank What happens & when: The control panel display is blank intermittently, but most of the time. Sometimes it comes back to life after I open and close the door.
Error Code (if any): None
Parts or tests already tried: I first tried turning the circuit breaker on and off and unplugging and re-plugging the power cord. This did not help. I also confirmed that the electrical outlet was delivering power correctly. I then removed the housing/cover to expose the interior. I see what appears to be a burned connector, which can be seen in the attached photos. I assume that this is a problem, but perhaps not the main or only problem. Is it possible to replace just this connector? If so, how?
The component that connector attaches to is a thermal fuse. Use a multimeter set to continuity mode to check whether the fuse is blown. If it has failed, it will need to be replaced.
I have attached a link to what I believe is the correct replacement fuse, but you should verify that by comparing the part numbers on your existing thermal fuse.
Once the fuse has been replaced, the damaged terminal end will also need to be replaced with the proper connector type.
This kind of damage is typically caused by excessive heat, often resulting from a loose electrical connection. Be sure to inspect all connections and ensure they are clean, secure, and properly tightened before operating the appliance again.
Thanks! I checked the thermal fuse for continuity with a multimeter. As you suspected, the fuse is blown. Unfortunately, the vendor at the link that you provided no longer carries this fuse. Please let me know if you are aware of another source. If not, I’ll look around myself.
The bottom side of the fuse (i.e., the side opposite of where the connectors are) has two rows of text. The top and bottom rows read “KSD1” and “120” respectively. The top side of the fuse also has some text, but it is more difficult to read. It appears to contain letters and symbols, but not numbers. If necessary, I can try to take photos of both sides, but I’m not sure that I can get a clear photo.
Thanks. I found the part available through Amazon.com at the following link.
I suspect that the white, plastic sleeves enclosing the connections in the photos that I previously attached serve an important purpose, such as protecting other components from any arcing that might occur (e.g., if the connection becomes loose). Is this correct? Do you know what these plastic sleeves are called and where I can purchase them?
Yes they are there to protect the connections from accidental shorting. You can use any tyoe of terminal end connector that is covered as long as it has the correct size connection
Before installing the replacement thermal fuse, I tried fitting the new female spade connector to the fuse’s male connector plate. To my surprise, it was a much snugger fit than I obtained with the non-damaged male connector plate of the original fuse. The latter connection was disconcertingly loose. A simple visual inspection of the original and replacement fuses showed a marked difference in the thicknesses of their connector plates! I measured the thicknesses with a vernier caliper. The thickness of the original was 0.200 inches while the thickness of the replacement was 0.315 inches. Quite a difference! Perhaps the thinness of the original connectors resulted in a loose connection and, ultimately, the failure that I reported here.
After I connected the new thermal fuse, I tried operating the microwave. The digital display seemed to work fine, so I was able to set its clock. I then attempted to heat up a mug of water. Everything seemed to operate as normal until I pressed the “Start” button, after which the digital display read “door” and the microwave would not operate. I opened and closed the door and tried again. This time, the microwave operated normally. I have used it a few times since with no unexpected results. Do you think that I should be concerned about the “door” warning when I first attempted to use the microwave?
