HELP! Dead Broiler On Tappan Oven

HELP! Dead Broiler on Tappan Oven

Rob -- Monday, 12 March 2001, at 11:47 a.m.

Have Designer Series Gas Range. All works perfectly except Broiler does not work at all. Stove heats, burners work, light lights, etc. Unit is 4 years old--no service history.

Under contract from WARDS--so no service easy to get, store closed. Please help so I can make dinner!!!!!!!!

Re: Dead Broiler onTappan Oven

Dan O. -- Tuesday, 13 March 2001, at 2:41 p.m.

: Have Designer Series Gas Range. All works
: perfectly except Broiler does not work at
: all. Stove heats, burners work, light
: lights, etc. Unit is 4 years old--no service
: history.

If the oven uses a hot surface ignition system, the ignitor or the gas valve for the broil burner may be defective and need to be replaced. The ignitor itself in the more frequent cause of oven burner problems.

: Under contract from WARDS-- so no service easy
: to get, store closed. Please help so I can
: make dinner!

Unless Wards' warranties are really covered by someone else, you'll probably be out of luck there. If you don't mind (too much) paying for service, any Frigidaire service depot (see the link below) should be able to help you out as Frigidaire owns and makes Tappan brand appliances and has a nation wide network of service depots.

Dan O.

Frigidaire Parts, Service, Dealer Locator

Re: Dead Broiler onTappan Oven

Rob -- Tuesday, 13 March 2001, at 5:10 p.m.

Thanks Dan. I will explore there as you kindly suggested. By the way, do you have any ideqa what copuld cause this? Is a pilot out that can be relit?? Or what? Seems very odd.

Re: Dead Broiler onTappan Oven

Dan O. -- Tuesday, 13 March 2001, at 6:32 p.m.

: By the way, do you have any idea
: what could cause this?

An ignitor is a semiconductor, they tend to break down after in use a while probably because of the temperatures they operate at.

We find these failures especially common in humid whether where the humidity can cause the properties of the semiconductor material to vary.

You can expect to replace these ever 3-4 years or so for the life time of the appliance.

: Is a pilot out that can be relit?? Or what?

There are some models still being produced that use an old style standing pilot ignition system that can be relit when they go out. They are not very common, especially on moderate to highend ranges.

They're mostly found on low end products and getting rarer all the time as energy concerns increase. On these models, gas is being consumed constantly whether the range is in use or not.

Dan O.

Re: Montgomery Wards Extended Warranty *LINK*

Dan O. -- Tuesday, 13 March 2001, at 7:47 p.m.

: Under contract from WARDS--so no service easy
: to get, store closed. Please help so I can
: make dinner!

I just came across an article that may be of help for your service contract. The applicable line is;

"Holders of Ward's extended warranties were advised that their policies would be backed by Virginia Surety Co., which had insured the contracts. Authorized service outlets of National Product Service (NPC) Co., a subsidiary of Aon Co., will provide support for those contracts."

You can read the full article at the link below.

Dan O.

A&E Service is shuttered as Montgomery Ward exits the retail appliance business

Tappan range help

Rob -- Wednesday, 14 March 2001, at 7:46 p.m.

Boy, you are really cool to know so much!! I am impressed, Dan. I have been trying to reach NPC and finally they are responding.
Re: This unit: broiler has been used maybe only 50 times probably over last 4 years. No kids and not really a cook. Worked one day, out the next. No humidity--Chicago winters are very dry. Usually used to broil two small chops, etc. for a short period of time, so it is weird given what you explained. How easy is it to replace that part that goes out every 3-4 years? Can I learn to do it myself? NPC/AON stinks badly at response, etc. They also have no direct service folk in most states but use local, uncontrolled small service firms.
Thanks though,
Rob

Re: Tappan range help

Dan O. -- Wednesday, 14 March 2001, at 9:25 p.m.

: How easy is it to replace that part that goes
: out every 3-4 years?

That particular part is not usually very difficult to replace but costs $50-$100 a pop for the part alone depending on which on is used on whatever range model you have.

: NPC/AON stinks badly at response,
: etc. They also have no direct service folk
: in most states but use local, uncontrolled
: small service firms.

The service for many of the manufacturers are just a group of (sometimes small) independent service depots. That should in no way reflect upon the quality of service they are able to perform and in many cases may enhance it, particularly by being local.

The companies NPC/AON hires to do their service in your area could very well be the same people the factory has chosen to perform the factory service on your particular appliance... or not.

Dan O.
Appliance411
The Appliance Information Site
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