MW8800XS4 Whirlpool Microwave - Instructions

Ordered a new door frame morning of March 25.
Part arrived the next morning and by that afternoon, the
replacement was complete. Only four screws held the frame.

The microwave is the upper unit of combination microwave & conventional oven. Disconnect power to the unit. Slide unit out of built-in cabinet to expose the top shield of the microwave. Remove 5 screws holding top cover in place. Remove cover, which exposes the belt reel and drive motor. Install the new belt by threading it on the drive motor pulley, then walk the new belt on the stirrer pulley. Replace the top cover and reinstall the 5 screws. Reinstall the combination unit in the wall cabinet. Reconnect electrical power. Task Complete. The belt just seem to die of old age about every seven year. Without the wave disperser operating, the microwave oven does not give even heating.

removed seven screws to take door apart and replace button. Glad that you still had the part for a 25-year-old unit.

This microwave is the upper unit in combination with an oven. Microwave portion is Model RM288PXS. Cut power at breaker box. Remove metal frame around 2 sides and top, (5 screws). Remove 4 screws on bottom, whicn anchors the unit to the frame.Remove contol panel (2 screws at top) and swing down. Pull out female electrical socket at bottom right back in conrol unit space. Now pull out microwave from frame about 6-8 inches. This provides access to pulleys on the motor and wave disperser. Put on belt. Reverse the above procedure to finalize the repair. This is the 3rd time I have had to replace this belt. They last about 6-7 years. Without the wave disperser , the microwave does not provide even heat.

dismantled the door to be sure handle would fit. Had to drill extra holes to re-enforce broken frame parts to metal door components then re-assemble. Parts were very fragile and subject to twisting out of square upon reassmbly. New handle is solid and door closes securely,microwave works fine.

Removed 5 screws on microwave trim and three additional screws on cabinet. Pulled microware part way out to expose broken drive belt on top and replaced with new one. Note: Microwave cabinet caught on connector in back of chasse and pulled it loose. Moderate difficulty in reaching back and reconnecting it. Otherwise an easy job that saved $125 on service call and part was half the cost.

First off if you are repairing an appliance this old better have some super glue. Many of these parts are no longer available. If the latch breaks with the door closed you can clear the broken plastic latch and open the door with a straightened coat hanger through the handle into a hole on the door which will trigger the latch. Once the door is open there are two screws that hold the black plastic trim piece on the inside of the door. Remove them both (Phillips head). The piece will come off. The handle is held to the front of the door by two more Phillips head screws. One at the top and one at the bottom. The handle in the front will not yet come off. There is one more screw that can only be reached by separating the door parts so you can get the screwdriver in. Now the whole handle will come off. Orient the new handle "trigger" so the piston can go through the hole in the handle. Be sure to put the spring on so it goes between the trigger and the handle. Now put the handle back on the door being sure to put the piston through the hole in the handle. It is best to put that screw in the middle back in place first then the others at the top and bottom. Put the plastic trim piece back on the inside and your are done. For what it is worth the trigger that I got is brown and not black like the other trim. Really not much of an issue.