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Note: This Instructable also works for the Kenmore Elite Speedcook Oven.
I have owned a GE Advantium oven for a little over two years now and I think it is about the neatest appliance that has come along in a long time (although it has been around for a while). I'll let you research why it is so cool. What is not cool is that in the two years I have had it, the lightbulb inside has burned out twice. I am not talking about the lamp that "browns" the food. I am talking about the lamp that allows you to "see" the food while the unit is running. If you think a light in a microwave is not so important, try heating up some soup without monitoring it...messy. Anyway, when the bulb failed the first time, I was at the tail-end of my warranty and with some convencing, was able to get GE to come and replace the bulb (they replaced a lot more parts than necessary, but for warranty work, who am I to complain?). Now less than a year later, the bulb is out again and is no longer covered by the warranty. Research at howtomendit.com reports that a service call to make this repair can cost as much as $180! I replaced the bulb using information I obtained from that same website and the repair cost me $4.95 at my local Home Depot. Considering that this is a common problem, I am hoping this instructable will help MANY unfortunate GE Advantium and Kenmore Elite customers.
I have owned a GE Advantium oven for a little over two years now and I think it is about the neatest appliance that has come along in a long time (although it has been around for a while). I'll let you research why it is so cool. What is not cool is that in the two years I have had it, the lightbulb inside has burned out twice. I am not talking about the lamp that "browns" the food. I am talking about the lamp that allows you to "see" the food while the unit is running. If you think a light in a microwave is not so important, try heating up some soup without monitoring it...messy. Anyway, when the bulb failed the first time, I was at the tail-end of my warranty and with some convencing, was able to get GE to come and replace the bulb (they replaced a lot more parts than necessary, but for warranty work, who am I to complain?). Now less than a year later, the bulb is out again and is no longer covered by the warranty. Research at howtomendit.com reports that a service call to make this repair can cost as much as $180! I replaced the bulb using information I obtained from that same website and the repair cost me $4.95 at my local Home Depot. Considering that this is a common problem, I am hoping this instructable will help MANY unfortunate GE Advantium and Kenmore Elite customers.
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To do this instructable you will will need:
One number two cross-tip screwdriver
One G8 base, 120V, 25W, halogen bulb (GE uses a 130V, 20W)
One pair of vinyl disposable gloves
Once the bulb is replaced, and the door is open, as soon as the the unit is plugged back in, the light will illuminate.
The vinyl gloves are a precaution to ensure you do not contaminate the surface of the halogen bulb which can significantly reduce its longevity.
All parts were purchased at Home Depot.
One number two cross-tip screwdriver
One G8 base, 120V, 25W, halogen bulb (GE uses a 130V, 20W)
One pair of vinyl disposable gloves
Once the bulb is replaced, and the door is open, as soon as the the unit is plugged back in, the light will illuminate.
The vinyl gloves are a precaution to ensure you do not contaminate the surface of the halogen bulb which can significantly reduce its longevity.
All parts were purchased at Home Depot.
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The hardest part was that horizontal metal "floor" below which the lamp reflector housing lives. In fact I removed a few more screws because I thought you had to completely take that part off to access the lamp - silly me! I had to go back to one of putnamcs' photos to see you have to lift the metal floor and fiddle a bit with the housing.......that's GE engineers for you!
The whole project from start to finish took about 30 mins and I did test the lamp before I put everything back together again and hey presto, it worked! I also took your advise and purchased the 25W bulb (from Lowe's; about $5 including tax) and even cleaned the whole microwave, inside and out, as well as the stove....now it looks like new and the best part, I can see what I'm microwaving.
For those that are not that technical minded, a word of caution. When a bulb burns out, you need to be absolutely sure you know which one it is because there are a total of THREE, yes, 3 different lights/bulbs associated with this microwave model and only ONE is mentioned in the GE owners manual!!! Now there's encouragment for you. First, there's the interior light we are talking about in this thread and that is a halogen, single 20 or 25W one. That light is for whenever the door is open or you are using the oven. The second one is the long, tubular browning lamp in the roof of the microwave (not sure how that is accessible, nor would I want to try) and the easiest is the one over the range light which is on the underneath of the unit and lights up the stove below. That one takes two halogen bulbs and is the easiet of all three to change. Just so you all know where the locations are and the functions of each.
There's no doubt, the easy, step-by-step instructions, together with photos (even if some were hard to figure sometimes) were a great help in this venture. Judging by the others folks' success, you, Sir, have provided a great service to the average homeowner. Thank you.
P.S. Can you believe it, 5 mins after completing the task, my over the stove light burned out! What are the chances of that happening???!!!......back to Lowe's in the morning...
I've been reading your instructables with interest (as I have all the other comments). I think it's great that you used photos to help with this and also the fact that you don't let GE railroad you into believing a mere consumer cannot repair their appliances for a fraction of the cost.
I now realise that my light problem may not be the larger, tubular "browning" bulb inside the microwave, but the smaller, "open door/see what's cooking" bulb. I guess from the diagrams and looking at my microwave, this is also located in the top part or roof of the appliance.
My microwave works fine, as does the "nighlight" feature over the range below. What does NOT work is the light when you open the door and when you use the microwave!
FYI my model number is SCA1000HCC 03, manufactured in 2005 (and no longer in production.......did those GE engineers finally figure it out??!!). It is a white GE Advantium 120. And I have already looked to see how easily accessible this might me. I could feel the two retaining screws for the grill on the top and believe I do not have to drill holes in the cabinet above or lower the unit - just get access to the light bulb.
Home Depot, here I come....... I'll post here again when I have successfully completed the project. Thanks for your insight; you're helping a lot of folks..
Thank you so much for the visual instructions, they really helped. Found the bulb at Menards for$3.99. Took the old one in and instantly matched it up.
Elaine
thx again for your help
I have this same GE Advantium halogen microwave but purchased it in 1999. Model # SCA2000BBB 03. I was excited to see your post, joined up, and downloaded the pdf. My original "just light up the inside when the door opens" bulb went out several years ago and even though under extended warranty, the man who came to replace the bulb basically "gave up" after literally trying to take the whole right side of the unit apart . . . we knew where the bulb was but couldn't figure out how to get to it. I feared he would never get it back together (parts all over the kitchen!)
Rather than being "in the top", this bulb is visible behind a "screen" (holes in metal) on the right side of the interior as you look in. Can you please help me?
Thanks!
Thanks again!
Here is the link: http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/microwaves/helpcenter/breakdowns/ge/ge-sca2000bbb.html
Thanks for your reply. Here are pictures of the inside/right side of the microwave . . . . basically behind the control panel. You can see the bulb behind the mesh if you look closely.
I looked but couldn't find the bulb on the diagrams you sent . . I am thankful but still not sure how to fix this thing.
Thanks so much!
Now, just yesterday, when I use "bake" there is no light at all that comes on. I'm assuming this is the browning light"
My questions are, how many interior lights are there with this microwave? And if one supposed to come on when opening the door and when using basic microwave heating?
Thanks.
I've read some have put in a 30 watt light, as the 20 watt is a little dim.
I'll be writing you!
HURRAH!! You are a genius. Thank you so much for these instructions. Like many of the other responders, it also saved me $194 for a service call that GE insisted was necessary to repair our Advantium 120 light bulb. What a poorly designed appliance that a consumable was not more accessible. But I suppose this helps their service revenue.
(I found this link when I searched in Google)
1. Remove three top and two side (uppermost) visible screws.
2. With a magnetic Phillips screwdriver, remove two top screws through their respective holes.
3. Fold panel down.
4. With a long magnetic Phillips screwdriver, remove two lampholder screws through holes on top.
5. Remove lampholder and replace bulb.
6. Reverse steps to reassemble. Help to hold the panel in place while fastening is a plus as well as to hold a bright flashlight.