Whirlpool W10211972 Microwave Door Switch OEM Part

I'm a 56 year old divorced woman. I started doing these kinds of repairs to save some money and honestly, to see if I could. So yes, if I can do it, it's not that tough to do. My microwave is built in above the stove - getting it down and back up was the hardest part of the job. An extra pair of strong hands really helps-for anybody, not just a 56 year old woman. The actual repair was pretty easy. Most likely problem was pretty obvious after a little research. Easy to take off cover, get to parts, swap for new ones and put it all back together. TIPS: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE OLD PARTS IN HAND SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO ORDER AND TAKE PICTURES WITH YOUR PHONE EACH STEP OF THE WAY. If you're a newbie like me, it's the only way you'll get everything back together correctly. Also, microwaves can kill you - take all the necessary precautions you'll see in videos.

Took the control panel off. Took the door latch mechanism parts out. Paying attention of where the wires were connected (I drew a schematic) so I could put the microwave wires back together again. Then I put the new switch in place. I used a set of "star" wrenches to remove the door-latch hardware on the microwave. This is a unusual set of wrenches I happened to have on hand.

I REPLACED ALL THREE SWITCHES

After locating an electrical circuit diagram, determined the 1st area to look at where a direct short could occur would be the door interlock switches. Testing and then disassembling the switches showed two of the three micro switches were welded closed, definitely, a higher rated switch could be used in this circuit. Replaced the micro switches AND the interlocking support where the 2 switches mount ( I ordered the interlocking support because I assumed the plastic retainers would break when changing the switches - and they did!).