Can I fix my broken oven myself?

Question

The bottom (baking) element in my electric oven just sparked and died. Is this something I can fix myself, and if so, where can I get the part and how do I proceed? Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Anyone without service experience should always seek professional assistance. By the tone of your question, I sense that you've already decided you'd prefer to fix it yourself. Can't say as I blame you, what with the astronomical cost of repairmen.
There is a way you can service your own unit while removing all of the guesswork.
As answerer #1 said, determine make and model #. Search for the manufacturer's website. Access their product support and determine the appropriate part number. Order it. Surf the site to determine if the manufacturer has service manuals available (all do). Order this also. Request to speak to a service technician and see if there is particular protocol in removing and replacing the bad part. Always remember to shut anything electrical off before attempting any repair. Many times an incorrectly installed part can damage it and require additional replacement. The service manual will inspire more confidence about your own repair ability.
If this procedure doesn't work for you, there's another.
An appliance shop already has all of these manuals in their shop. I've asked for and received access to these and in many cases, been given a copy of particular data. Many of them are willing to do this, especially if you order the part through their shop. I hope this helps some. Good Luck! I admire your desire to tackle the repairs yourself.

Answer 2

Call an appliance part store. Tell them the make and model of the oven. I had the same thing happen to my electric stove. Mine was a kenmore older model. They didn't make my part anymore but they make unniversal parts that fit it. The part only cost around twenty dollars. Really easy to fix. Just pull oven out from wall and on plug. You'll have to take the door off in order to work inside. I went to the library and picked up books that tell all about replacing the part. The part has a very small screw on each side of the part plug in where it hooks on the back of the oven. When you pull that out there will be a wire clamped to each of the part plug in. Just un do it and replace to new part. Put back together, put door on, replug in ,voila. Hey I'm a 38 female and I did it with no problem. A good thing is to go to the library and check out some books about it, they have pictures and make it really easy. I hope you understood all of this. It sure beats buying a new stove...

Answer 3

Habitability laws require that your landlord provide you with appliances in good working condition to facilitate cooking. And this does sound like a safety hazard. What you should do is first ask your landlord to fix it. If he doesn't respond within a couple of days, present the request in writing (be sure to keep a copy!). Then if it doesn't get done within two weeks, make a call yourself to an independent company to come in and estimate the cost of the repair work. If the repair person says it needs replacing, get estimates on three different reasonably priced ovens. Then present all of the estimates to the landlord and circle the lowest, saying if the oven is not fixed within two more weeks after that, that you will do it on your own and deduct the cost of the repair from the rent. If it's not fixed within a month, then the next time your rent is due, you have the legal right to have the work done yourself and give your landlord a check for the reduced amount of rent, the difference of which includes the repair work (be sure the receipt for the work is included in the rent envelope).

Answer 4

It's really easy. You can get a replacement part from an appliance parts store, or order on the Internet. For example, if your oven brand is Hotpoint, search with Yahoo for "Hotpoint repair parts". The link below is one of many sources. Shop around for the best price.

You'll probably only need a screwdriver. Loosen the old one, take it out, disconnect the wires. Unwrap the new one, connect the wires, put it in, tighten. Just make sure the switch is turned off.

Answer 5

lydia you can change it yourself. some units just pull out to unplug, and others are held in with screws above where they go into the back wall of the oven. after you remove the screws the unit will slide into the oven along with a wire attached to the terminal on the back of the unit. the wire just unplugs from the terminal and you plug it back on the new one. just take the model number and brand of the stove with you when you go to the parts store to get it. the model number should be in the oven door opening on the frame on a silver tag. good luck, and happy new year! one more thing, don't use aluminum foil on the bottom of the oven, use a heavy duty foil cookie sheet with the edges cut off, to line the oven. or there are pans made just to catch any spills.

Answer 6

Yes, this is something you can fix yourself. You need to know the model number on your oven and what brand. Look up on the Internet for the part number and where you can get it. ( if you have the owners manual it will be quicker). When mine went out the only tool I needed was a small wrench. It was a breeze. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Unplug the stove, take the element out, there should be two small screws holding it in place, take it to Home Depot and match it with the dozens they have there in stock.

Answer 8

very easy plugs in right where u take the element out of someplace that sells parts i only know of one in south tampa fla we dont have anyplace in our town either the first answer was absolutely wwhat u should do

Answer 9

yes you can its actually pretty simple you just need to get the make and model order a new element and pull the old one and put the new one in

Answer 10

Try looking online for a small appliance repair shop and also you might find a repair manual online