Finally fixed the stove top after years and years

Mosca

I know, I know. But the only time of year I need all four burners is Christmas, and I always forget until it's too late. And it's not like I've never tried to fix that inoperable back left 6" burner before.  

The first time, probably 10 years or so ago, I replaced the element... nope. Son of a gun. It's ALWAYS the element. Plus you can get the elements at Lowe's.  

So the next thing that probably is broken is usually the receptacle block. Gotta order that one. One day when I was thinking about it, maybe in around 2010, I ordered it online. (I always get my appliance parts from RepairClinic.) Nice easy fix: unplug the stove, lift the top, two screws and a couple wire nuts. Done... nope. Not the receptacle.  

Well there are only three things it can be on an electric stove, and the third one is the switch. And while it's not HARD, it's more of a PITA than either the element or the receptacle. So I put it off until last week I remembered that I wanted that burner this year, and I ordered a switch.  

You know, for all the tools I've bought over the years, you'd think I'd be able to find a Phillips screwdriver. Hell, just this summer I got one of those Kobalt screwdrivers with all the tips, just so I'd be able to have one of everything. And yes, here is the handle. But where the hell is the block with all the tips! Hell if I know. But I did find one of those little Phillips drivers, just a little bit bigger than the ones you use on your glasses; the size you use to remove screws from computer cases. And I'm working on taking off the back of a stove that we bought in 1991, and some screws come off easily and others have stove grease and 20+ years of thermal expansion and contraction, and I'm using a too-small blade. What to do? You know the answer. Vise Grips!  

Got 'em all but one, the jaws kept popping off when tried to grab the head. But if you have a big piece of sheet metal held on by one screw, then by default you have removed it enough. Just pivot it around that screw until you have exposed the switch you want to replace!  

Easy peasy. Two small screws, five wires, switch out, new switch in, sheet metal back on, (cut my thumb on the edge of the sheet metal and blood all over, time out for a band aid), screws back in, knob back on, plug the stove in, push it back in place, turn on the switch.... Nothing.  

Wifey looking on says, "That's not the one that was broken."  

Oh. Right. Wrong switch.  

Stove back out, unplug, sheet metal off but screws easier now because I used too small of a screwdriver to tighten them, switch out, old switch back in, CORRECT old switch out, new switch in CORRECT place, wires back, sheet metal back on, finger not cut, plugged back in and pushed back into place, and....  

EUREKA! I am HANDYMAN GOD!  

Yeah, it is all so cool. Except, I got the wrong knob and the shaft is too long for the dial. Screw it, it works. This is the way it's gonna look, we'll just have to deal with it.

Canugghead

nice writeup, shorten the shaft with a Dremel?

WeberWho

Nice work! Always feels good when you can accomplish something yourself. I have to get under my mother in laws car today. She has a gas leak somewhere. I think it's the fuel filler neck hose that's cracked from where the leak is apparent. (I'm hoping the tank isn't rusted through) I'll probably have to drop the gas tank. Fun times ahead!

bud812

ROTFLMAO 

northGAcock

Sorry....where did you apply the duct tape?

Durangler

Canugghead said:

nice writeup, shorten the shaft with a Dremel?

Dremel??? Dude doesn't even have a Phillips!!!  

Good work @Mosca. It is gratifying indeed!  

Mosca

Durangler said:

Canugghead said:

nice writeup, shorten the shaft with a Dremel?

Dremel??? Dude doesn't even have a Phillips!!!  

Good work @Mosca. It is gratifying indeed!  

Ha, actually I do!

I'm usually pretty good with appliance repairs; I've installed dishwashers, disposals, garage door openers, fixed the chimney damper, installed a supercharger on the Miata.... This one started with not being able to find that damn box of bits, and snowballed from there. All the real screwdrivers, Mrs probably used this one to chop ice, that one to poke a hole in something, and over the years who knows where they wound up.

No dremel until after Christmas, I need that burner!

Durangler

Just jazzin you @Mosca.
Funny story with a good ending, for sure!
I can relate, believe me! 

CTMike

I feel your pain about the Phillips screwdrivers. I can find a flat tip all day long, but the damn Phillips always seem to disappear. 

Mosca

A few years ago I was looking for that really big flat head, you know the one: about a foot and a half long, big tip. I couldn't find it anywhere, so I broke down and drove to Sears and bought another one. The next summer I found it in the garden, someone had been using it to uproot dandelions and forgotten about it! (Not me.)