I'm renting an apartment with an ancient Admiral electric oven range
in it. This range has just one oven knob: a temperature control whose
last choice is "Broil." Recently, when I set the oven for a non-broil
temperature, such as 400 degrees, the broiler element comes on instead
of the bottom element, which remains cold. The oven heat cycle
indicator light still comes on too, though it doesn't come on (and
isn't supposed to) when the knob is set to Broil. Because the heat is
coming from the top element, the oven never shuts off, just keeps
heating and heating. Obviously I can't bake anything like this.

Any ideas what causes this and how I can fix it?

Thanks.

In article
>,
wrote:

> I'm renting an apartment with an ancient Admiral electric oven range
> in it. This range has just one oven knob: a temperature control whose
> last choice is "Broil." Recently, when I set the oven for a non-broil
> temperature, such as 400 degrees, the broiler element comes on instead
> of the bottom element, which remains cold. The oven heat cycle
> indicator light still comes on too, though it doesn't come on (and
> isn't supposed to) when the knob is set to Broil. Because the heat is
> coming from the top element, the oven never shuts off, just keeps
> heating and heating. Obviously I can't bake anything like this.
>
> Any ideas what causes this and how I can fix it?
>
> Thanks.

Call the "super." If you are renting, they are obligated to repair or
replace as needed. Hold the contract in compliance, and if your lucky,
you will get a new appliance. (See what I did?)

jt

On 10 abr, 18:58, jt august > wrote:
> In article
> >,
>
> wrote:
> >I'm renting an apartment with an ancient Admiral electricoven range
> > in it. This range has just one oven knob: a temperature control whose
> > last choice is "Broil." Recently, when I set the oven for a non-broil
> > temperature, such as 400 degrees, the broiler element comes on instead
> > of the bottom element, which remains cold. The oven heat cycle
> > indicator light still comes on too, though it doesn't come on (and
> > isn't supposed to) when the knob is set to Broil. Because the heat is
> > coming from the top element, the oven never shuts off, just keeps
> > heating and heating. Obviously I can't bake anything like this.
>
> > Any ideas what causes this and how I can fix it?
>
> > Thanks.
>
> Call the "super." *If you are renting, they are obligated to repair or
> replace as needed. *Hold the contract in compliance, and if your lucky,
> you will get a new appliance. *(See what I did?)
>
> jt

Thanks for that advice. Of course I'm keeping that option in reserve,
but I've had landlords drag their feet on range issues literally for
months, and have learned that it's best to just fix things myself if
the job is simple and inexpensive.

In article
>,
wrote:

> > Call the "super." *If you are renting, they are obligated to repair or
> > replace as needed. *Hold the contract in compliance, and if your lucky,
> > you will get a new appliance. *(See what I did?)
> >
> > jt
>
> Thanks for that advice. Of course I'm keeping that option in reserve,
> but I've had landlords drag their feet on range issues literally for
> months, and have learned that it's best to just fix things myself if
> the job is simple and inexpensive.

Well, pending the age of the range, the problem may likely involve parts
that are quite pricey. I had the gas oven igniter die on the range that
was in my house six months after I moved it. That piece cost me $27.
Fixed it, and three week later, the spark capacitor and cook top control
panel both croaked simultaneously. A little internet research revealed
that the stove was a 1977 top of the line kenmore, so it was 27 years
old at that time. And the two components needed to repair added up to
$780 plus shipping. I went out and got a new Roper range instead.

Then a couple years back, the oven control box died out of waranty. The
cheapest I could find this part was $157 plus tax. Called Whirlpool
(parent company) and got bitchy with them, got an offer eventually for
$87 on the part. Almost jumped, but did another check on the net, and
found the online average was about $82, with some down in the $60's, and
one for $48 plus shipping. Got the $48 unit and it works fine. A
little time worked to my advantage, disturbingly. It seems this
particular component had an abnormal mortality rate at about 3-4 years,
and as volume shot up on it, the per unit cost dropped dramatically. I
think that lawsuit potential may have had some impact also, something in
a class action style.

The point is that the cost can vary by age and parts availability.
However, your lease contract as well as state laws ensure prompt repair,
and even a threat of small claims suit can get the required action.
You're already paying for the repair by way of paying rent.

jt

> wrote in message
...
| I'm renting an apartment with an ancient Admiral electric oven range
| in it. This range has just one oven knob: a temperature control whose
| last choice is "Broil." Recently, when I set the oven for a non-broil
| temperature, such as 400 degrees, the broiler element comes on instead
| of the bottom element, which remains cold. The oven heat cycle
| indicator light still comes on too, though it doesn't come on (and
| isn't supposed to) when the knob is set to Broil. Because the heat is
| coming from the top element, the oven never shuts off, just keeps
| heating and heating. Obviously I can't bake anything like this.
|
| Any ideas what causes this and how I can fix it?
|
| Thanks.

On the older ranges the broiler and bottom units came on together
to preheat the oven, then the broiler unit went off.

It sounds as if the bottom (oven) unit is not working, is it? If not
the broiler unit will come on alone and never generate enough heat
to get the oven up to temperature without the bottom helping.

Whatever, you may well have a loose or missing connection within
the oven, which in a 220 volt unit can be pretty hazardous. If all
else fails tell your landlord that you believe the oven is dangerous
and should be replaced before it (burns up, explodes, bursts into
flame, overheats the apartment ... your choice.) good luck

pavane