How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2027803 / WB30X218 Range 6-Inch Surface Heating Element

My 1984 GE Electric Stove model number was very close to an another entry, but not actually in appliance repair pros' model numbers list. But my burners looked and measured the same for the near entry number, and the surface unit control switch looked very similar. I decided to take a chance and ordered 2 of each.. (Actually I wouldn't have needed new burners but an earlier "repair guy" took 2 of my burners and never returned - and no one could find him!) It turned out the new burners fit perfectly, but although the surface unit switch connected up electrically identically to my old one, it wouldn't seat properly in the built-in board receptical where the old one had. I wound up lashing both new surfface unit switches down inside the old recepticals with "bailing wire" (actually soft metal paperclip wire). That was awkward and tedius to install using, needle nose plyers between other components. But worse, I then noticed that somehow in the process earlier of removing the old switches, I had knocked off one of the circular printed heat level indicaters that turn with the switch control rod and show through the glass stove front. It had fallen down between the glass and main circuit panel. I then had to take apart quite a bit of the glass front assembly in order to retrieve the dropped circular heat level indicator. Altogether I spent about 1 day on this fix. Probably it would have been more like 1/2 day if I hadn't dropped the heat level indicator into a tough place to retrieve it. Also if the surface unit switch had just snapped into place, maybe only a couple hours. But it was an interesting experience over all, and the stove's working fine now. 

After confirming the voltage, located the CORRECT parts on appliancepartspros.com and replaced them. The connectors were really shot. The elements might have been useful but my wife was in no mood for experimentation. Works fine. The challenge was the age of the stove - no one (but GE) recognized the model number. GE got me the part number of one of the elements and applianceparts...'s descriptions brought it all together. Good job ApplianceParts!! Note that GE couldn't give me all the part numbers I needed because they only list the ones they have for sale. If they're out of stock and out of production they never existed in GE computers. 

Replaced 

I ordered new burners. While I was changing those out, I decided to purchase new rings and drip pans to make things look nice!! 

Ordered a new one and slid it in. 

I couldn't read the model number on my 40+ range. Andrew C told me to take a photo and send it to him. He was able to make it out and the parts arrived the next day, even though I did not pay for rush shipping. I inserted them and they worked. 

Removed old and plugged in new - pretty straight forward. 

Ordered all four burner elements 2 6" and 2 8" and slid them right in. ( Had previously replaced the socket part which accepted the plugs of the elements.. And Bing Budda Bing it was done - tested them and they now all work perfectly. 

I replaced both defective parts 

Ordered 4 new burners