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BURNED OUT (and broken) LIGHT BULB
With many thanks to those who posted their experience and advice replacing the bulb, I was able to remove 5 of the 6 screws holding the underside panel and remove the socket which contained the broken off base of the bulb and extract it with needle-nose pliers. I had broken off the glass portion of the bulb trying to unscrew it due to the awkward contortion of my wrist-hand-fingers trying to grip the bulb inside the tight recess the bulb is mounted in. After concluding that I needed more information, I did a web search for 'Hotpoint RVM1435' and found helpful advice at partselect.com telling me to drop the bottom panel. Good call! Thanks everyone!
Opened the microwave door, installed the new tray, making sure the turn table drive notches meshed. Closed the door started the device to be certain the turntable functioned as intended. It operated as intended.
One of the lenses was broken and a light bulb was burned out.
Using a #2 Phillips screwdriver and removed the screw that retains the lens frame around the broken lens. I also did the same to the opposite side (whose lens was fine but the bulb had been burned out for some time). With my fingers I pryed up the frame clips that secure the lens in place, removed the pieces of the broken lens, and replace the lens with one of the new lenses I had ordered. Although the bulb on this side was still burning, I replaced it with one of the two I ordered anyway. When I removed the bulb that was burned out, the glass separated from the bulb's base. However, I simply put on a set of tight fitting leather gloves and used my ring finger to apply pressure inside the base and it soon began to twist and then came out. This takes a little manual dexterity, but is very doable. If it were too tight, you could take a large "easy-out" tool (like the one to fit a 3/8" - 1/2" hole) and it would remove the broken base in short order. I had also ordered a second lens, but the lens on the burned side was simply dirty, so I cleaned it, put it back in place and saved the new one for a rainy day. By the way, BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED TO THE "OFF" POSITION BEFORE DOING ANY OF THE ABOVE. Also take care to clean the glass on the bulbs with denatured alcohol and handle them with clean cloth gloves or a tissue so as not to allow any oils to be on the surface when they are switched on. Body oil will immediately create a hot spot which will shorten the life of the bulb by at least 50% if not more.
As suggested, I placed a towel over the stove. Only had 3 main screws to remove from bottom of microwave. Dropped the bottom and changed the sockets and light bulbs. After replacing the bottom tray, I put the new glass light lens in. The clips on glass holder bent back like a photo frame-really easy. Turned on the lights and was done.
My son had to replace the bulbs because the screw that holds the bulb shield was so tight that I couldn't remove it. It was too difficult for me to do it myself.
Getting the old bulb out of the socket was not an easy job as the factory seals the base of the bulb to the socket and for what reason I do not know. The seal has to be broken away to remove the bulb. I broke the seal with a knife and then proceeded to unscrew the bulb. The bulb at that point shattered in my hand and I was left with just the base of the bulb stuck in the socket. it took much effort to be able to work loose the base with a needle nose pliers and much sweat. The installation however went very smooth and Part Select did a fine job of sending me the right part in a very short period of time. They are a great source for any appliance part needed.
After discovering Parts Select website and reading the experiences and installation instructions of others with similar experiences, it gave me the confidence to give it a try. I order the parts, and in a few days, they arrived. I did the following, as read from others: 1. unscrewed the 5 screws on bottom panel of microwave. 2. Had wife hold panel while I unscrewed the 1 screw holding the lamp socket 3. Pulled lamp socket out of hole 4. Used needle nose pliers to pull wiring from old lamp socket 5. plugged the two wires into new lamp socket 6. removed old bulbs (which would have been a nightmare to do by just dropping down the bulb cover - bulb had been factored glued to lamp socket and even after I removed the glue, the bulb still broke when trying to remove the bulb - had to use needle nose pliers to unscrew the base of the broken bulb) 7. placed lamp socket with new bulb back into its slot and screwed the one screw holding the lamp socket back 8. screwed back in the 5 screws that held the bottom panel.
Unplugged microwave before doing anything.Removed 6 screws holding the bottom of the microwave on. Disconnected 1 wire connector connecting the light sockets.Removed 1 screw on each socket to remove and install new socket. Reconnect the 1 wire connector and reinstall the 6 screws holding the bottom of the microwave on. Removed 1 screw holding the glass lens in place on each light and installed 1 bulb in each and reinstall 1 screw in each lens. Replug power cord. DONE !!
