Our ovens (double-stacked Nutone Hotpoint circa 1960s) are old:
About 2 months ago, we noticed that the bottom one – which had been running great for years – wouldn't get any hotter than just "kind of warm". No matter what we set it to (Bake 500 degrees, Broil, etc.) and no matter how long we waited, the bottom oven would never get anywhere past 100 degrees or so. No big whoop, because we still had the top one working fine.
Well now the top one is doing the same exact thing which means we're out of a usable oven. This is a very big whoop.
Ideally, I'd like to troubleshoot, diagnose & repair the ovens. I just find it strange that these 2 ovens have been running strong since the 1960s and now they both go within a few months of each other.
I'm not sure where to even begin troubleshooting. For one, they certainly could use a cleaning, so I think I'd like to start there. But I have to ask: what steps/processes should I go through to figure out what is going on with these?
Best Answer
I'm guessing that coiled up wire at the top right is the thermocouple. Do I see a silver tip thing on the end of it? You can splice thermocouple wires if you use ceramic wire nuts, otherwise you have to trace that back to behind the control panel. Here's some good info at Appliance411. I'm not to keen on electric ovens, but with the door open and perhaps a fan blowing in, I'd like to think you'd see the elements glow at least briefly in order to eliminate element or control knob problems.