KCMS185JSS - Instructions

remove 4 screws from top, front louvered panel snaps out. remove 1 screw from top of keypad, keypad pivot's forward and can be removed. There is a white mounting bracket inside left. Remove two screws, one top and one bottom, bracket lifts up and out. 3 sets wires are attached, mark them with masking tape, top, center, bottom and pull out plugs. They can only attach one way. Using a very small screw tip, lift plastic latch from switch, it rotates out and is removed from the pivot pin. reassemble in reverse order after switches are replaced

Overall repair quite simple. Removed screws from the sides and rear of the microwave, then removed cover. Next, removed only the screws to separate the bottom cover. Removed the one screw in the AC Synchronous motor to remove the motor (had to use small screwdriver through a vent slot in the bottom to remove the screw). Unplugged and removed motor. Installation is the reverse of removal. Note: on the back of my appliance were 4 torx screws with a tamperproof pin in the center. I used the rotary tool to grind out the pins so I could use a regular torx bit instead of ordering specialty bits.

Removed base and side screws as needed then unclipped the power lead from the motor. Then removed 2 screws that attach motor to microwave base. Attached new motor then reattached leads and replaced the removed side and base screw.

I started by calling a reputable service company to diagnose my problem. The repair tech told me it was the magnetron and it was a "very difficult" repair that required two people because the over-the-range unit needed to be taken down. I asked for a detailed estimate. He quoted $550 including parts and labor. After he left, I researched the part costs on this site and realized his costs were very inflated. I purchased the magnetron for $220. It arrived at my door two days later. Installation was very easy. First, I unplugged the unit. Then, while my wife was making sure it did not fall off the wall bracket, I unscrewed the two mounting screws from the top of the cabinet. I lifted the unit down from the wall and set it on the kitchen counter. The shell needed removed from the microwave which involved about 20 screws. This provided access to the magnetron on top. The magnetron is secured by five screws and a plug. I unplugged it, unscrewed it, and removed the old part. Then, I installed the new magnetron, and tested the microwave to make sure this did the trick. It worked. I put the outer shell back on the microwave and cleaned the microwave. (This is a great opportunity to clean the areas you do not typically see!). I then remounted the unit and plugged it back in. Saved myself a bit of money so I took the family out to dinner and a movie to celebrate. Microwave was in working order for heating up left overs the next day! Thank you!!!

Eight screws off the bottom exposed the cover plate. Easily found the motor location the looked up the item number and verified data and ordered the part. Replaced the motor, tightened the screws and flipped it upright. Plugged it in and the lights came on. Set a time pushed start and smiled! The eagle had landed!!!!

Ordered the switches from Partselect, arrive in two days. Had trouble removing the plastic connectors from the old switch terminals, one of the plastic protectors broke, but was able to reuse it. It took a little figuring out how to remove the existing switches. Must push in a tab and rotate the switch on a little pin, then remove. Must be careful not to break the plastic tabs holding the switches in place. Replaced all (3) switches at the same time. All in all it was pretty easy.

It literally took me longer to unpackage the fuse than to install it. I removed the outer shell by unscrewing the five screws, lifted it off and set it aside. The old fuse was readily visible so I pulled it out and put the new one in its place. I set the shell back on and replaced the screws. I plugged it in and ran it for 30 seconds while still in the shop just to make sure that solved the problem and presto - it worked like a charm. A $20 part saved me from having to purchase a new microwave (sadly, I had to break the news to the wife).

I removed the outer cover of the microwave and removed the bottom palte to access the small motor. i unplugged the old motor from teh wiring connector, removed (1) screw and motor came out. I reversed the proceedure with the new motor and it was finished.It was a piece of cake.