WMH31017FB1 Whirlpool Microwave - Instructions

screwed in new bulb

Spouse just screwed in the new bulb and reinstalled the light cover plate with the two screws. Took under a minute. Works great.

Husband replaced the bulb

Repair unsuccessful because they sent the wrong part, even after I questioned their selection. It is amazing how a company as large as Whirlpool cannot clearly indicate to the people who work for them how to order the correct part. The fault lies not in the individual who is putting the order in but with the company who cannot take the time to make sure that person is successful in completing their job. Will never buy a product from this company again.
As far as the shipping is concerned. It took forever, just to find out that the part was incorrect.
Better luck next time. right?

Removed turntable
Place support ring in track
Place turntable on support ring.
Easy, peasy!

Unplugged the microvave, removed the phillips screw holding the right hand section of the microwave in place (Note: This screw is found by looking through a vent opening in the TOP of the microwave body.). Lifted up and out on the right hand section of the microwave. At this point the right hand section is completely unattached to the microwave body. Unplugged all of the polarized wiring harnesses and removed the screw holding the green wire to the board holder. Removed the screws holding the board to the right hand section and installed the new board. Reversed the procedure to put the microwave back together. Note: Look at and manipulate the keypad ribbon recepticle on the new board to see how to remove and reattach the ribbon, if needed.

Loosened but did not remove screws that held up microwave over range,removed grill on top by loosening screws that held grill in place.removed small mesh grill on right side of microwave, this gave me access to capacitor ,diode is connected from one lead of capacitor to a metal plate ground,Disccarged capacitor to ground by shorting terminals to ground using a thick insulated screwdriver.Since the diode was screwed to the top of the metal plate I cut it out with a pair of side cutters .I then connected the new diode to the capacitor with my long nose pliers and groonded the other end to a more accessible part of the metal grounding plate.I then replaced all parts in reverse order.Works like a charm.

After removing the over-the-range unit (no small feat!) I had to figure out how to open the case (good puzzle!). Capacitor had already discharged, so it was very easy to reach in, pop the old fuse and install the new one! As per your advice, I found out I was a "28%-er"! Upon re-installation, the microwave "sprang to life"!! Thanks, "Part Select"!! I was already shopping around for a new machine! (Now if you could only tell me an easier way to re-mount this heavy beast over the stove!!!)

Remove the two screws to the plastic vent strip at the top of the unit. That exposes a metal cover (upper right) held in place by two more screws. (Found that removing the screw holding the key panel in place and moving that out of the way made for more work room) Remove the metal cover. The HV diode (visible) on one end is secured to the chassis by a screw. The other end is fitted to the HV capacitor. So unscrew one end and pull the HV diode off the capacitor. The replacement fits on like the old one came off. Very simple repair. But it would be safe to short the capacitor terminals to the chassis first. Noticed that it appeared the sparking was caused by the HV diode's outer casing being worn by the asbestos covered wire next to it and laying against it. I made sure the two were not touching, before putting the covers back on. Also, the problem started with an occasional spark when the MW started. It quickly deteriorated to a full, non-stop electrical sparking. You can hear it, smell it, and see it through the top vent. You don't need to remove unit to work on it.

Unplug the microwave. Then remove the six screws that hold the lower panel which has the light bulb cover and a couple of vent filters. The light bulb sockets are on a fixture that is connected by a quick connect electrical connector. Disconnect that and the whole panel is free to access the bulbs. My bulbs were very fragile and trying to twist them out resulted in the glass twisitng loose with the base still in the sockets. I needed to use a needle nose pliers to remove the bases and then I replaced the bulbs and put every thing back together

Since I have All Whirlpool appliances in the home, the only one not a Whirlpool was a counter top dishwasher that looks exactly like it could be a Whirlpool and so not to be the odd unit out, I labeled it with with a Whirlpool logo nameplate on the face of the door. Now everything matches perfectly and all in the same exact color white too.

Just measured and marked where the plate was to be located, cleaned that part of the surface, peeled the backing and carefully placed the logo name plate in place and pressed it on. Voila. Done and looks original as well. Call me the big, deep fakearooski.

I had the help of a handyman, I'm 75 years young but not handy with tools

Removed the top screw holding the control face. Lift up on control face and tilt outward to unplug wires and remove green ground wire screw. Place unit on a flat surface and remove flat wire plug by squeezing tabs and lift up slightly then remove flat wire. Unscrew screws holding PC board. Then reverse order the install of the new PC board and install unit on to microwave.

I had to cut the leads on the thermostat to enable the wire terminal clips to fit on the leads. Not hard at all when the right tools are available. Care must be used because the leads are subject to being damaged. “ Hold leads with narrow needle nose pliers while cutting!

I removed the microwave to install a back splash and found the support edge on the backplate had broken off and was missing. I searched for parts for the microwave and found them on PartsSelect.com. Easy to order, and was shipped promptly.

Once the part arrived, install was simple, lining up the existing holes. The only hard part was setting the microwave up on the bracket due to the weight and awkwardness of the microwave.

Overall a very simple repair.