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Whirloop oven strange behavior of oven lights

Hi all-

Got a strange one for you.

We moved into a 5 yr old house about 6 months ago (in the US). Have a
Whirlpool built in electric oven, model RBS305PDB8. Works quite well,
still looks to be in "as-new" condition.

Periodically, at random times, sometimes once a week, sometimes once a
month, sometimes multiple times a day, when the oven is not in use and
the door is closed, the 2 lights inside the oven will flash on and off
(on for 1/2 second, off for 1/2 second, repeat NOT flickering, but
constant) until we open and close the
oven door.

I called Whirlpool, but they hadn't ever heard of this problem (But
then again, the guy told me to make sure the bulbs weren't burned out.
If they were burned out, they couldn't be flashing!!).

I've tried pushing the door closed (in case it was slightly opened)
when this happens, but that doesn't seem to work. I need to open and
then close the door to make it stop.

I found a website with error codes for Whirlpool ovens, but they all
appear on the lcd display, not by flashing the oven lights.

I have unfortunately been unable to eliminate the posibility that all
of this is caused by either of the 2 ghosts that live here. I've asked
both, but neither one of them is talking.

Putting that possiblity aside, let me add some details and thoughts:

1) Under normal operating conditions, the light can be turned on by
either pressing the "light" button on the control panel or by opening
the door. There is a punger type switch built into the oven frame, at
the top of the unit. Holding down the punger turns off the light, even
if the oven door is open, so I believe that it's the only door open
sensor. Depressing the punger even slightly turns the light off and I
can pull the door open slightly without the light coming on. So I
don't think it's a problem witht he door becoming open, it has to be
very open to turn on the light.

2) The last time this happened I tried jumping up and down next to the
oven and banging the counter top that it above the oven. No change,
just 1/2 second on 1/2 second off. Jiggling the door left and right
didn't do anything. Only way to stop it is to open and then shut the
door.

3) I tried pushing the door closed more, I mean really pushing on it,
still no change.

4) Afer jumping didn't do anything, I tried pressing buttons on the
contol panel, looking for any change.

a) Hitting "Light" button turns the light on constant. As soon as I
press the button again, the flashing starts again.

b) Turning the oven on cook, starts the oven, (can't remember for sure,
think flashing continues), and the temperature setting flashes between
the temp and the word "DOOR" indicating that the door is open. If I
open the door all the way, "DOOR" stays on permanently.

5) I also tried leaving the door open, not when the flashing was going
on, but when the lights were initially off. I left it open for 3 hours
and the light just stayed on solid. This eliminates the possiblity
that the flashing it some kind of timer saying "hey stupid, you left
the door open."

6) Now I'm no electrician, but I'd think that a loose connection would
cause flickering of the lights, not a constant 1/2 second on 1/2 second
off cycle.

Has anyone ever experienced this before or have any suggestions?

Kindly,
Ken
 
J

JR North

Jan 1, 1970
0
While you would assume the switch just switches the current for the
lamps, there is probably a transistorized circuit to do the switching,
which is faulty.
Check the voltage available at the door switch. If it's LV, well, there
you go....
JR
 
T

**THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**

Jan 1, 1970
0
Could it be that the flashing interior lamp is a signal when using the
self cleaning feature?

JR said:
While you would assume the switch just switches the current for the
lamps, there is probably a transistorized circuit to do the switching,
which is faulty.
Check the voltage available at the door switch. If it's LV, well,
there you go....
JR

--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"

The Lost Deep Thoughts By: Jack Handey
Before a mad scientist goes mad, there's probably a time
when he's only partially mad. And this is the time when he's
going to throw his best parties.
 
K

Ken Weitzel

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi all-

Got a strange one for you.

We moved into a 5 yr old house about 6 months ago (in the US). Have a
Whirlpool built in electric oven, model RBS305PDB8. Works quite well,
still looks to be in "as-new" condition.

Periodically, at random times, sometimes once a week, sometimes once a
month, sometimes multiple times a day, when the oven is not in use and
the door is closed, the 2 lights inside the oven will flash on and off
(on for 1/2 second, off for 1/2 second, repeat NOT flickering, but
constant) until we open and close the
oven door.

I called Whirlpool, but they hadn't ever heard of this problem (But
then again, the guy told me to make sure the bulbs weren't burned out.
If they were burned out, they couldn't be flashing!!).

I've tried pushing the door closed (in case it was slightly opened)
when this happens, but that doesn't seem to work. I need to open and
then close the door to make it stop.

I found a website with error codes for Whirlpool ovens, but they all
appear on the lcd display, not by flashing the oven lights.

I have unfortunately been unable to eliminate the posibility that all
of this is caused by either of the 2 ghosts that live here. I've asked
both, but neither one of them is talking.

Putting that possiblity aside, let me add some details and thoughts:

1) Under normal operating conditions, the light can be turned on by
either pressing the "light" button on the control panel or by opening
the door. There is a punger type switch built into the oven frame, at
the top of the unit. Holding down the punger turns off the light, even
if the oven door is open, so I believe that it's the only door open
sensor. Depressing the punger even slightly turns the light off and I
can pull the door open slightly without the light coming on. So I
don't think it's a problem witht he door becoming open, it has to be
very open to turn on the light.

2) The last time this happened I tried jumping up and down next to the
oven and banging the counter top that it above the oven. No change,
just 1/2 second on 1/2 second off. Jiggling the door left and right
didn't do anything. Only way to stop it is to open and then shut the
door.

3) I tried pushing the door closed more, I mean really pushing on it,
still no change.

4) Afer jumping didn't do anything, I tried pressing buttons on the
contol panel, looking for any change.

a) Hitting "Light" button turns the light on constant. As soon as I
press the button again, the flashing starts again.

b) Turning the oven on cook, starts the oven, (can't remember for sure,
think flashing continues), and the temperature setting flashes between
the temp and the word "DOOR" indicating that the door is open. If I
open the door all the way, "DOOR" stays on permanently.

5) I also tried leaving the door open, not when the flashing was going
on, but when the lights were initially off. I left it open for 3 hours
and the light just stayed on solid. This eliminates the possiblity
that the flashing it some kind of timer saying "hey stupid, you left
the door open."

6) Now I'm no electrician, but I'd think that a loose connection would
cause flickering of the lights, not a constant 1/2 second on 1/2 second
off cycle.

Has anyone ever experienced this before or have any suggestions?

Kindly,
Ken

Hi Ken...

Don't know the machine at all, but a couple of thoughts, if
I may?

Flashing asking you to latch the door for a pre-programmed
self cleaning?

Perhaps it's - what's the word? - been told to begin cooking
at a preset time, and warning anyone nearby to keep fingers
away as it prepares to start?

Perhaps it's reached the end of a pre-programmed event, and
warning you that it's ready (with the audible signal turned off)?

Is their a minute minder? Maybe sounding off with the audible
disabled?

Just thinking...

Ken
 
This wasn't answered in detail elsewhere, just a bunch of people giving
their thoughts, much like this thread so far. I certainly appreciate
everyone's replies, but I've yet to find someone with the same problem
who has a remedy.

Since in the other newsgroups I didn't receive a definitive answer and
a poster suggested that I try posting here, I did as much.

OR - maybe there was a definitive answer that I missed somewhere? NT-
if this is the case, please point me in the direction of this post.

Thanks
Ken
 
I've tried running a self cleaning, twice actually. Works fine, oven
looks clean, but of course flashing still happens.

The oven does have a program timer, but it's not set.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
E

Eric Jorgensen

Jan 1, 1970
0
On 10 May 2005 14:07:21 -0700
This wasn't answered in detail elsewhere, just a bunch of people giving
their thoughts, much like this thread so far. I certainly appreciate
everyone's replies, but I've yet to find someone with the same problem
who has a remedy.

Since in the other newsgroups I didn't receive a definitive answer and
a poster suggested that I try posting here, I did as much.

OR - maybe there was a definitive answer that I missed somewhere? NT-
if this is the case, please point me in the direction of this post.


All mechanical diagnoses remain less than definitive until the fix has
been tried. sight-unseen diagnosis doubly so.

The bottom line is that you'll have to either investigate the mechanics
of it yourself or pay an appliance repairman to do it for you.

My two bits: It's definitely either a mechanical or electrical failure.

See?

My Whirlpool range had a similar problem, for a while, that went away.
At the moment i can't get the light in the oven to turn on under any
circumstances (yes, I've replaced the bulb), but since i can't see through
the window i don't care.
 
K

Ken Weitzel

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've tried running a self cleaning, twice actually. Works fine, oven
looks clean, but of course flashing still happens.

The oven does have a program timer, but it's not set.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Hi again...

http://www.affordableappliance.com/onlinehelp.htm

Another page at the same site; offering personalized
free professional help.

Let us know if it's helpful.

Take care.

Ken
 
This wasn't answered in detail elsewhere, just a bunch of people giving
their thoughts, much like this thread so far. I certainly appreciate
everyone's replies, but I've yet to find someone with the same problem
who has a remedy.

Since in the other newsgroups I didn't receive a definitive answer and
a poster suggested that I try posting here, I did as much.

OR - maybe there was a definitive answer that I missed somewhere? NT-
if this is the case, please point me in the direction of this post.

Thanks
Ken

Youve confirmed you read my full explanation post in rec food, complete
with how to fix it. Youre either trolling or asleep.


NT
 
K

Ken Weitzel

Jan 1, 1970
0
Youve confirmed you read my full explanation post in rec food, complete
with how to fix it. Youre either trolling or asleep.


NT


Hi NT...

With all due respect, this is usenet, not registered/certified
snail mail.

Messages do go astray...

Take care.

Ken
 
It was YOU who wrote:
"sci.electronics.repair and uk.d-i-y would be my first choices for
electrical knowledge." so I posted here. Then you decide to flame me
for doing so...

I'm looking for someone who has seen this before and for thoughts from
anyone. You certainly gave some good ideas, but NOTHING was definitive.
 
Ken-
Thanks for the links to the afforableappliance site. A fault code was
my first thought, and I've seen the fault codes elsewhere, but they are
all indicated on the display, not by flashing the lights.

I did send a request in via the online help link. I'll post here if
they shed any additional light, hopefully not flashing lights :)

-Ken
 
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