Modern Damp ovens possess a locking mechanism to ensure the door during self-cleaning cycles. There are three types of mechanisms used to lock the door: heat sensitive locks, solenoid locks and mechanical locks. Heating sensitive locking mechanisms have no moving parts, therefore they will call for a technician to replace the unit, however solenoid and mechanical components can be analyzed to ascertain whether they are broken or simply have to be washed to restore them to working order.
Mechanical Lock
Slide the oven away from the wall and then disconnect the electrical cord from the power outlet.
Remove the burner grates and lift the hinged oven. Utilize the bracing pole to hold the top open. Remove the cover over the locking mechanism with a screwdriver.
Hold the oven door tightly closed and try to slip back the lock and forth. Wipe down all of the mechanical parts with kitchen spray cleaner and a damp cloth to remove any grease and gunk that has constructed on the mechanism.
Slip the wires off of the spade connectors on the motor. Set a multimeter to test ohms and touch with the two leads from the meter into the two terminals. Check the meter to realize you have regarding a 1 ohm reading. Replace the motor should you not own a reading when the leads are connected to the terminals.
Switch the multimeter into the continuity setting and test both terminals of each microswitch on each end of the motor cam. Replace the mechanical lock in case you don’t have continuity on the microswitches.
Spray a little bit of spray lubricant into the doorway mechanism and perform it back and forth gently to tighten and lubricate the mechanism. Replace the cover over the locking mechanism, then lower the range top and replace the grates. Reconnect the oven’s power cord and test the self-cleaning mode to confirm that the door locks properly.
Solenoid Lock
Slide the oven away from the wall and then disconnect the electrical power cable from the outlet.
Remove the back panel of the range with a screwdriver and locate the solenoid lock.
Set a multimeter to check continuity. Hold the tips of the two leads from the tester into the terminals of the solenoid. Replace the solenoid if the meter doesn’t show continuity.
Find any microswitches on the solenoid and test these for continuity too. Replace the solenoid if they don’t show continuity.
Remove the inline fuse and test it with the continuity characteristic of the multimeter. Replace the fuse if it doesn’t have any continuity.
Spray some kitchen cleaner onto a cloth and clean out the solenoid to get rid of any grease or gunk. Spray a small amount of lubricating spray on the washed solenoid mechanism.
Replace the back cover of the oven and then slide the unit back into position. Connect the oven’s power plug into the outlet and test the self-cleaning mode to see whether the lock works properly. Replace the solenoid of the lock fails to operate properly.