GE Spacemaker XL1800 hum/buzz noise but heating works

Microwave Repair
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[SIZE=3]Our microwave (6 yrs old) suddenly started making hum/buzz noise when we heat our food. The noise is from vent area. I saw a few posts from other people talking about replacing megatron or H.V. diode. I am not sure if my problem is related to megatron because I can still heat up food and turn on the vent fans. Anyone knows what problem I am having with the microwave, please help! Thanks, [/SIZE]

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It sounds to me that it could be the high voltage capacitor that needs to be replaced, but while you there also replace the diott. If you take the cover off and dime the lights while the unit is working you might be able to see where the arcing is.
Pine

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Thanks for the reply. I just found out it was the upper synchronous motor that causes the noise. I’m glad I don’t need to replace the magnetron.

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— Begin quote from faraday;78024

[SIZE=3]Our microwave (6 yrs old) suddenly started making hum/buzz noise when we heat our food. The noise is from vent area. I saw a few posts from other people talking about replacing megatron or H.V. diode. I am not sure if my problem is related to megatron because I can still heat up food and turn on the vent fans. Anyone knows what problem I am having with the microwave, please help! Thanks, [/SIZE]

— End quote

Upper synchronous motor? Is there any sort of maintenance (perhaps precussive) that can knock it back into shape where it doesn’t make the buzzing noise? How difficult is that component to replace, and how much would it cost?

MY GE Spacemaker XL1800 is also just over 6 years old, and the buzzing is sporatic. It buzzes most of the time, but not all of the time. I had hoped it was a limping fan in the vent that I could get at and clean.

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I never did find an upper synchronous motor, but I did find a buzzing stirrer motor. I’ve never used a "stirrer" in a microwave, and probably never will. :slight_smile:

Thanks to some of the documents and part lists on this site, I was able to disassemble the folding vent and get at the stirrer motor. Since I don’t see it ever being used, I disconnected the power to it. And just like that I’ve saved a little tiny bit of power, and no more buzzing!

Thanks AppliancePartsPros.com! :slight_smile: