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wdunn
September 23rd, 2006, 06:25 PM
Hello Jake,

I have been troubleshooting my Amana range all day with no results and thought I would look on Internet for help. This range has worked 10yrs with no trouble up till now.

I have a problem only with the range operation. The clock, timer and surface burners work normally. No Fault errors display at any time. I can force an F3 fault by unplugging the RTD temperature sensor.

Problem
When setting the timer/controller for either bake, broil or convection range operation, the settings enter normally and the display shows the desired temperature which will advance with the Slew arrows, the set temperature (example 400 deg F) is first shown, then "170 Pre-bake", then "On" displays (convection motor starts if in convection mode) for about 5 seconds and then everything goes off except the clock-no audible signal.

Initial Observations
The ERC ground clip (J2 pin1) was improperly installed by the factory and loose on the chassis under the ERC. No improvement was found when I put it in place.

Checks
1.) I first checked all relays on the Xfmr Relay board for motion using the "Quick Test" "Press and hold "cook time" pad for 5 secs after power up method. All relays work and momentarily deliver the appropriate voltage to their respective load.
2.) Voltage check at J1 on the Xfmr Relay board shows terminals J1-J2 = 29Vdc, J1-J10=23Vdc, J1-J12=23V full wave pulsating DC(I believe this is right rather than the 11.5Vac shown in Amana Manual RS2320001), J1-J13=23V full wave rect dc - again I think this is right rather than the 12.5 Vac shown in the manual and J1-J14=23Vdc. Both these voltages are derived from the isolated transformer winding on the Xfmr/Relay board and referenced to ground from the full wave bridge rectifier located in the ERC module. These voltages all seem normal to me.
3.) When energized, the Double Line break relay-K6 delivers full 240Vac to the BROIL, BAKE and CONVECTION COOK relays.
4.) Oven High Limit Switch is closed passing current to the Double Line break relay at all times.
5.) All bake modes fail when the Double Line break relay-K6 looses its drive after about 5 secs when ERC controller shuts it off.

Do you know if there is some peculiar mode the ERC could be stuck in? I tested it for "Child Lockout". Child Lockout turns on and off normally. I see it has a 12 hour turn off protective feature which seems to be off. I don't see a "Sabbath mode".

I don't think the "Watch Dog Timer" could have stopped or it would show the F1 error code. All of the pads on the "touch control" switch work normally which indicates the strobe interrupt is working and corresponding controller inputs are working.

The Amana troubleshooting manual diagnosis is a failed ERC board but it is hard for me to believe it has failed when so much of it is working properly.

Thanks for any help you or your forum members might supply,

Bill

Jake
September 24th, 2006, 11:03 AM
Yes, I have seen this happen before, your ERC (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=1265&N=822165) is bad. Its pretty expensive, and after 10 years, its generally better to invest the repair money into a new range, as other parts are just wearing out as it ages.

Jake

wdunn
September 26th, 2006, 06:16 PM
Hello Jake,

Thank you for looking at my letter. I agree it is very expensive to replace the ERC. I would fell better about replacing it if I could be more certain I have made the right diagnosis. It bothers me that I couldn't find anything specifically wrong with the ERC. If I make a mistake I will spend the price to replace the ERC plus another expensive component as well. I am looking over the whole system a second time to see if there is anything I can see that can convince me for sure that the ERC has failed. I did trace out the DC power supply for the ERC and it looked O.K.

I forgot to tell you in the first letter that I found the RTD has a normal 1,092 ohms resistance at the ERC end of the cable and the oven door switches show a code "1" which is normal.

Best regards,

Bill

Jake
September 27th, 2006, 01:35 PM
If you purchase the ERC from the link I provided and it doesn't solve the problem, then you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.:)

No other appliance parts store will even come close to matching this refund policy.:)

Jake

wdunn
September 27th, 2006, 06:51 PM
Hello Jake,

Thanks for pointing out the return policy. That certainly is a good offer. I didn't look at the repairclinic.com web site that closly when you sent the ERC part number. I looked at it again and found the return policy described just as you said. I also see endorsments from USAToday, Popular Mechanics and others. I see they are relatively close to me near Ann Arbor, MI. Are you the "Repair Guru" referenced on the repairclinic.com web site?

Bill

Jake
September 28th, 2006, 02:55 PM
No, I'm not the Repair Guru that they have referenced on their site.

Jake