Kenmore Electric Range C968-61083-1

[jch]

Greetings Master...

My electric oven no-worky no more.

Symptoms:

a) If I select "Bake", then the oven will only heat up to about 250F (but it does indeed heat up some).  The  heat on/off light stays lit.  The temperature dial clicks on/off if I back the temperature knob off to the 250F range so it appears that the oven knows that it's only 250F.

If I select "Broil", then the oven comes up to temperature and appears to work normally.

I thought it might be a faulty lower element, but then I assume it would not heat up at all (but it does--a bit).

So then symptom (a) made me think it's the temperature sensor.  However, symptom ( contradicts that.

What steps would you recommend to troubleshoot this further, honorable ones?

--Your lowly grasshopper.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Your bake element may not be getting the full 240vac to heat up properly. I wrote a tome on troubleshooting this very problem which may prove to be illuminating.

[jch]

Thank you for your speedy wisdom, master.

I now remember seeing a very bright spot on the lower element last week.  Perhaps the core has melted/opened and the element jacket is slightly conducting (enough to bring the temperature up to 250-ish).

Which, according to your article, means I need to pull the element to ohm it out etc.

Where would I find a repair manual for this model?  Do you have one online?

.../j

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

[user=3087]jch[/user] wrote:

Where would I find a repair manual for this model?  Do you have one online?

Maybe. And I say that only because we can't cross over Canadian model numbers. But, if we can determine the manufacturer of your range, we could get really pretty close.

However, you may not NEED the service manual. All you really need is the wiring diagram, a multi meter and that gray stuff betwixt your ears. Tech sheet (wiring diagram) will be cleverly hidden in your range. Favorite hiding places are the control panel and pots drawer, sometimes the very back of the range (older models).

[jch]

My understanding is that all Kenmore ranges in Canada are made by Frigidaire.  But that is only heresay...

Couldn't find any sheet in the pots&pans drawer, nor on the back.

How do I get into the control panel?  Take the back off the oven?  Or can I get in from the front?

.../j

[Pegi]

C968.

Moffat (Camco)

range.....Believe this would be made by GE....???

[BrntToast]

is this stove older?  i.e mechanical clock?  if so look at the light that comes on when you turn on bake

does the symbol look like a pan with little heat waves rising from it?

if so your clock has be set to warm and serve mode, turn oven on and fiddle with clock till the bake indicator light comes on and the other light goes off

clock should be labeled man, or manual and the dial should be pointing there

one knob sticks in and the other pops out

sorry i cant look up your model either... sears is even more anal in canada and i have no online source for their models

 

[BrntToast]

ohhhhh a scamco product

you'll need a bake element, easy test look at and feel the element for a hole, there is one quite often

if your range is not convection the element will be an rb147, all GE use this element, if its a 30" range

 

forget part number for the small 24" range

 

[jch]

Okay, maybe this will help identify it.

It is a 30" electric range.  Kenmore Canada

Here are some pictures...

[jch]

Here is the full front:

[jch]

And the inside.  The back right corner was glowing brightly last week.

[jch]

And the full inside.  The temperature sensor (top left) is looking pretty nasty.

[Pegi]

Gussing a ge made range, just need to unplug the thing and take a look at that bake element....probably a wb44x5099 from here, do not know what would be the number in canada..

[jch]

So how do I unplug it?  Just pull it forward?  Or do I need to unscrew that little plate above the element's attachment point first?

.../j

[Pegi]

I meant to UNPLUG THE RANGE first, will be live voltage even with it off.....then remove the two screws holding the element bracket to the oven body and then pull the element forward carefully so the wires do not come off....until you want to remove them.

[jch]

Should I expect to find a part # stamped on the element end?  Or do I cart the entire element into the parts shop?

.../j

[Pegi]

Either/both....might be able to find the part number stamped into the element near the ends by sanding lightly with some sand cloth...or take it up and match it with the right one..if this element is your problem that is..

[BrntToast]

your canadian, phone reliable parts ask for rb147, i think reliable calls it eb147, they will know what an rb147 subs to

 

[jch]

I cut the power and pulled out the element.

Wide-open circuit.  So it sure sounds like that's the culprit.

Part number on the element itself is *huge* (spade-connected):

ESM L300AT 187D1200P003 240V 3000W LR18376

Which part of this is the actual part number??

.../j

[jch]

Went to Reliable Parts (here in Canada) and they gave me a "UB640" element.  Same dimensions, same connectors, same wattage.

Works like a charm.

Would that part # help me identify the *true* manufacturer for next time this oven needs fixing??

.../j

[Poobah]

 didn't see a prefix of C968. but here is a link that might be of some use

that element looks alot like the Chromalox http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=154&N=115523]CH2858 (which is a replacement for a Whirlpool made range

[jch]

Baked a bunch of Christmas Cookies last night -- everything worked well :-)

Thank you for all your speedy help!

Cheers,

.../j