Replacing some parts on a standard Kenmore electric range is a lot easier than it seems. If you have basic tinkering skills, you can save yourself the repair costs by doing it yourself. This is even true for some electrical components, like the surface element control switches.
What controls the temperature regulation on an electric range?
On an electric range, you regulate the temperature of each burner (also known as surface elements) using the knobs on the front panel of the range. These knobs allow you to regulate between the various temperatures you use for cooking, from low, medium-low, medium, medium-high to high, usually in increments from Low (1) to 10 (high).
Each burner control knob has a respective surface element control switch located on the other side of the panel on which they sit. This is what really controls the burners, communicating the proper temperature between the knobs and the respective burners.
Surface element control switch: common issues
Some common issues caused by a faulty surface element control switch include:
- Electric burner does not turn on at all
- Electric burner only works at low temperatures
- Electric burner only works at high temperatures
- Electric burner only works at low and high temperatures
All of these issues are certainly annoying! In my case, my front right large burner (which is the one I use the most) only worked at low and high temperatures.
Where to find replacement parts for a Kenmore electric range
If your Kenmore unit came from Sears, Sears Parts Direct generally has you covered. If not available on there, try eBay or any similar reseller market.
Your range’s model can be found on an information bracket located inside the oven door. It looks like this:
To figure out which replacement part you need, you can enter your Kenmore range model number into the search box on Sears Part Direct. Scroll down until you locate what you need. Note that sometimes, older parts have since been replaced with a newer model, which will be indicated when you locate them on the site.
You can also look up your individual part number to go directly to the component page on Sears Parts Direct. Individual components, such as the surface element control switches, have their model number stamped on. You can locate this, once you follow the below instructions to access the switches, but here’s what they look like. Type A goes with the smaller burners, and the part number is 318220080; type B goes with the large burners, and the part number is 318220081. These are the numbers you want to use to look up the replacement part on Sears Parts Direct.
How to replace a surface element control switch on a Kenmore electric range
IMPORTANT!
Before starting, either unplug the range from the wall or turn it off at the circut breaker!!!
1. UNPLUG THE RANGE FROM THE WALL OR TURN IT OFF AT THE CIRCUT BREAKER BEFORE PROCEEDING!
2. Remove all coils and trays from the range and set aside.
3. Lift the range cover. The range cover lifts from the front like the hood of a car. Most ranges also include a support strut to hold up the cover while you work.
Note that grease buildup may cause the cover to become stuck. In this case, try to wedge a knife or other flat, sturdy object between the front corners of the cover and the counter to carefully force it up.
4. Remove the temperature control knobs.
5. Remove the brackets housed below the knobs using a flathead screwdriver to carefully loosen and turn counter clockwise.
6. Pull the entire top panel up, and set aside; note that the oven light switch may remain connected to the panel, in which case you can just turn the panel to the side to set it next to the range while you proceed.
7. Remove all screws holding the control bracket in place using a larger phillips head screwdriver. Note that the 790 model has six screws, and that you should NOT remove the screws directly adjacent to the oven and time control panel. Carefully pull the bracket back to expose the surface element control switches. You may need to close the range cover at this point to loosen up the wires and gain access to the surface element control switch you want to replace.
8. Locate the surface element control switch you want to replace. Remove the screws from the front side of the bracket holding the surface element control switch in place with a phillips head screwdriver.
9. Take a picture or draw a diagram of the current position of each connection. Reference this when connecting the new switch. Note that each color corresponds to a code etched into the control switch terminals.
In my unit:
- Black wire: L1 (power negative)
- Orange wire: P (power indicator light)
- Brown right: H1 (heating coil)
- Brown left: H2 (heating coil)
- Red wire: L2 (power positive)
10. Disconnect each connection. Depending on how old your unit is, you may need to gently pull the connections off of the switch using a pair of pliers. Once disconnected, remove switch and set aside.
11. Connect wires to appropriate connections on replacement switch.
12. Place mounting bracket on the knob connector, and then install the switch to the main bracket covering all of the switches. Screw switch into the main bracket cover using provided screws and a phillips head screwdriver.
13. Ensure the knob screw is in the OFF position and replace all of the screws holding the main bracket to the range.
14. Reset the cover and knob brackets, carefully tightening each one with a flat head screw driver to hold the cover in place.
15. Replace knobs, trays and heating elements, restore power and test.
