Kenmore oven timer/control

[dennism]

Here's one asking for guidance, or help to get it fixed. NOT motorcycle related.

I have a Kenmore gas stove from 1994. The stove hasn't been used much and is in almost perfect condition.

It has an electronic control unit which shows the time, and controls the heat and cooking time etc., of the oven. We had a thunderstorm not long ago, and the unit suddenly stopped operation altogether, beeped constantly and showed a code"F1" in its read-out.

So I took a picture of the connections for later, and took the unit out of the stove, intending to fix or replace it.

My first attempt was to Sears Parts online. No longer available.

Then I called Sears Parts and the guy said, "Yep, that part's been superseded, but we have a replacement."
I set up the buy, and waited. Next day came an email saying "Sorry, your order has been cancelled, we don't have them any more'

So I called 'em back, got passed around for a while, and ended up where I started.

On to Google for advice.

To make a long story short, the unit is no longer available, I found a repair service, they recognised it and I shipped it to them.

Then came an email from there saying, " Can't fix it, sorry, go to ebay. Oh, and if you pay us $22 we'll ship it back"

Fair enough,did that, have it back. A sticker says " beyond repair, bad micro", and it does look as if someone has opened it up.

Kenmore part # is WB12K0006

It's marked with GE-14500-GE / 100-396-028 and date 17-93 also Robertshaw Controls Co. on the circuit board.

I'm presuming "micro" means micro chip.

Can anyone here refer me to somewhere it can be fixed?

I'm watching for one on ebay too I really don't want to buy a new stove........ Thanks for reading.

[Wlfman]

Try these guys

http://www.remanufacturedapplianceparts.com/

[GreaseMonkey]

While this may not be the case for your particular circumstance, I suspect that unfortunately it may be-

A lot of electronic control circuits for all sorts of things, from radios to cars, will use proprietary chips of one sort or another. Many of those chips are manufactured on just one run, and then no more are made. So when something is sold out, it's sold out forever.

I suspect this is the issue with your control. Since you have paid for a diagnosis and also have paid to get the part returned, you could try calling the place that diagnosed it and ask to talk with the tech who looked at it and see if he has any suggestions. Otherwise about the only option would be to find out exactly which models of stoves had this control, and search craigslist and if you have any recycling yards that will let you wander you can look for a possible donor unit.

[mcma111]

I recently had an issue with my Maytag washing machine and ended up having to buy a new control board. The place that had the best price is Point & Click Appliance Repair. http://www.pcappliancerepair.com/

I just ran your part # and it is listed as NLA. I tried the repair place for my board only to be told they don't work on them. I miss the old days where appliances would last 20 years or better. Looks like your going to be buying a new stove.

[dennism]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've spent a little time today searching, and not found anything so far. I'll keep looking..

I'm going to send it out to one more repair place just in case. I'm thinking they may have a "parts" unit or two to scavenge from, although changing a complete chip is a kinda specialized task, at least it would be for me!

Any other ideas will be most welcome.

[yukonjon]

PM sent.

[YOUNZ]

Why not just convert it to manual control?

[Beezer]

ooh - ooh I might know this one.... there is a wire strip connector that goes into the timer... like with a dozen wires bonded into the strip. pull the strip out of the connector and cut about 1/16" off the end of the strip and re-install it.

I did this on a friends oven & it worked.... it was something I got off the net on a F(something, believe it to be F1) fault.... and the brand of oven was I think Sears, but anyway, it has worked for about 3 years now.

oops.... just re-read your post... too late

[DC2wheels]

Tried here?

http://forum.appliancepartspros.com/

[mendoje]

Found this on eBay, not a replacement part, rather an outfit offering repair service:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GE-WB12K0006...item20cd78fe2b

[Smoke Eater 3]

http://www.repairclinic.com/

[Stan_R80/7]

Have you looked here?:

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ke...rol-board.html

Often these appliance sites need model and serial numbers of the appliance, then the part name. The part numbers (such as the GE-14500-GE / 100-396-028) are not in their data base. BTW, that appears to be a GE made range sold under the Kenmore brand name. Good luck!

The kenmore site says the RFR-CCS part supersedes the wb12k0006 part number, and you have to call a technician - whatever that means.

Here are a couple more links with the timer:

http://www.appliancetimers.com/index...e&Model=WB12K6

http://www.a-1appliance.com/product/GHPWB12K6

[dennism]

Thanks again guys, I'll browse those suggestions this weekend.

yukonjon - I sent pics to your gmail address.

Saw your PM after this. Bummer! thanks anyway.

Why don't you float it out on ebay...will help somebody, and buy you some beer!

[yukonjon]

I'd love to put it on eBay but I don't know what it fits. The numbers on it don't match up to any stoves. The stoves part number isn't actually on the part which doesn't make sense but that's on the manufacturer. Ill try back tracing some of the other numbers again with hopes I find something.

[rapidoxidationman]

An electronics control board is pretty much the most expensive part of an appliance - kinda like the engine of a motorcycle. Given that yours is 18 years old, do you really want to spend $100 - $300+++ on a part for a machine that can be replaced for not a whole lot more than that?

What's going to happen when the gas control valve goes out? Spend another day or two or three and plenty of cash chasing down hard to find parts?

I vote for joining the 21st century. You can find a good deal (or a free deal) on a newer unit on Craiglist... for less than the price of the part you're looking for.