GE Electric cooktop JP3030SJ3SS 1 of 4 hot lights stay on

[Jimmy301]

Model Number

JP3030SJ3SS

Brand

GE

Age

1-5 years

Mother in law’s GE cooktop model JP3030SJ3SS has one of the four hot lights staying on (bottom right burner). The cooktop is 2-3 years old and otherwise works fine. Everything I read said this problem would be due to a bad range infinite control switch. I didn’t have a new switch to replace it, so I swapped the switch with the switch from another burner on the cooktop. After the swap, nothing changed. The same red light for the bottom right burner stayed on. If the switch was bad, I would assume the red light for the burner I swapped the bad switch to would be on... or maybe no light on at all. Am I wrong? What else could cause this? The element in the bottom right burner? The module indicator light itself?

 

[rickgburton]

It's probably the thermal limiter for that element is stuck closed. The limiter is usually part of the element but I don't know on your model. It could be part of the display board. I don't have a schematic for that model. If you can post a copy of the wiring diagram/tech sheet it would be helpful. Look for an envelope taped to the bottom of the cooktop.

 

[Jimmy301]

Thanks Rick. The wiring schematics are attached.

 

[Jimmy301]

This is a picture I took earlier today while at my in-laws. Is this the thermal limiter (circled)? It looks like the thermal limiter is sold as one unit with the element.

 

[rickgburton]

Yes, that's it. Check it first. The limiter should show open at room temperature.

GE WB30T10136 Element Haliant 8 in (AP4363599) - AppliancePartsPros.com

ELEMENT HALIANT 8 IN WB30T10136 / AP4363599 made by GE

click.linksynergy.com

 

[Jimmy301]

Thanks again. I am not a novice to trouble shooting a problem, but I am a novice to appliance repair. How would I test the limiter? Across the small contacts? As you said, it should read open... which would mean the hot light would be off. But it probably won’t read open, which would mean the switch is closed and will explain why the hot light is on?

The cooktop is only a few years old. Is it possible that the switch in the limiter is stuck in the closed position and that I can tap it to “unstick” it and it may go back to functioning properly?

Is it possible to just buy a new limiter and replace the limiter or will I need to swap out the whole element with limiter as it looks like it’s produced as one unit?

Until the repair is made, is the only real safety issue with a limiter stuck in the closed position to the hot light, being that if the element overheats to over 1031 degrees, the limiter may not function properly and cut power to the overheated element?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[rickgburton]

I can tap it to “unstick” it and it may go back to functioning properly?

You can try. I don't think it will work. It only comes with the element. Measure the limiter from one side to the other side.