Chosen Solution
We have a GE Profile microwave oven that’s probably 10-15 years old and the panel display has gotten very dim, and almost impossible to read during the day. Is there a brightness control anywhere? Or do we need to replace the display?
You have an aging, failing capacitor on the control board. (Capacitors can get old just sitting on the shelf). You can try to find a new control panel which will probably cost about the same as a new machine. Or, for probably under $10, you can replace all the capacitors on the board, usually three. Radio shack will usually have them in stock. You can then tell you wife what a electrical genius you are and maybe get lucky. If you don’t have a way to solder, this is a good buy in my opinion: Soldering Workstation
Replace the board - $107.00 for part. Turn off power, unplug board, put i new, replug in. I just had the same problem. Be sure to get right replacement - possible from AMAZON
Hi @chipmaster According to this website the manufacturer’s part number for the Microwave control is WB27T10463. (part #16 Microwave Control Panel parts diagram) Click on 2nd part #16 in the parts list to view the manufacturer’s part number as it is different to the supplier’s (PS) part number) If you search online using the part number only you will get suppliers (example only to show the part and the cost of the part). There are other suppliers that may suit you better.
We have a GE over the stove microwave Model jvm1790sk01 that had the same problem with the display becoming too dim to see. We took the Control Board out and removed the plastic piece that it in front of the led display and we were able to read the display almost like it was a new unit. The piece we removed was not part of the LEDs on the control board but part of the cover between the outside glass and the LEDs. It appears to discolor over time with age and heat. This might not be the answer for all units but it worked on ours and hopefully will allow us to use it for another few years.
Hi @rsmith By “underside light” do you mean the Surface light? If so you press the Surface light button once for a bright light, twice for the night light and a third time to turn the light off. If this is the light you mean and it stays on regardless of how often you press the button, is the light bright or dim? If bright there may be a problem with Relay RY8 on the control board, (if dim it is relay RY 9) being permanently operated or its’ contacts may have fused together. Here’s a link to the service manual for your microwave oven. On p.5-1 you’ll find the overall circuit diagram and on p.10-1 you find the schematic for the pcb. Since changing the two capacitors didn’t make a difference you could check out the 7.5V Zener diode ZD3.
I noticed my dimming issue was due to dust build up on the display panel. I gently unscrewed the control panel and cleaned it with a wet paper towel and fixed it perfectly.
I just noticed the dimming issue this evening. I have the GE PVM1790DR1WW. I can get a new control board for about $230 or a remanufactured one for about $100 (with 1yr warranty). Should I take the chance with remanufactured or go with new? I haven’t taken the machine apart yet to check out the previous suggestions of removing a plastic piece or cleaning dust off of the inside cover, but I’m just thinking worst case scenario to check out my options.
