My microwave oven’s display started dimming, and it got to the point where I couldn’t see the numbers or indicator lights anymore, but everything else worked normally. So, I looked at the cost of getting a new one – it’s an over-the-range built-in type microwave oven. Home Depot wanted $439, although I could potentially get one for $265 on sale. Those were the least expensive replacements I could find that were of a reasonable brand.
I grabbed a picture of the model and serial number – it’s a Frigidaire – and started searching the Internet. Shortly, I found that I needed a new control board, and that I could get a new control board for $220 or a refurbished one for $90. I ordered a refurbished board.
I’m very glad that appliance parts like this are available, because I like doing these repairs myself. You know me!
It only took 20 minutes – unplug the power, pop the fan cover off, pop the weird air filter thingy out, lift the display off the front, unplug the control board connectors, compare the new board with the old one, remove the ribbon cable to the button pad, remove the old control board, and then assembly is the reverse of those steps. Only required removing 7 screws, and I managed to get all 7 of them back into the machine without losing any (miraculous)!
It is important to take pictures before removing electrical plugs in case I forget where things were plugged in. My cell phone is the other 2/3 of my brain anymore, I guess the old-school way of doing this would be to diagram with pencil and paper where the plugs go. There is much shmoo behind the panel from aging foam gasket material and just dust/dirt that moves around inside the unit, so I cleaned that off before reassembly with electrical contact cleaner and canned air spray.
I also cleaned like 5 years of shmoo off the fan grating and filter thingy, I have a “bachelor’s school” approach to cleaning, hah. The oven’s display came up normally and I was even able to set the clock finally! I never knew that it had a “COOK” light, I guess that was always broken since I moved in.. The microwave is 21 years old, and probably better built than its replacements. Much fun for a short break between meetings on a Friday.
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