Replacing the Microwave Bulb - page 3
We weren't very happy when the microwave bulb went out for the second time in a year, and a service technician had to come out to replace it. At an ultimate cost of $139.91.

But there is a reason. The built-in microwave bulb takes somewhere around 57 steps to replace! I decided to photograph the process so I would know what to do myself, next time the bulb goes out. This is just so insane, I thought it would be an amusing web page...

(Click images for larger version)
And here is the upper right side face plate screw coming out.
And here is the upper right side face plate screw coming out. 		With the two screws removed, the upper face plate swivels up a bit, providing access to the upper trim plate.
With the two screws removed, the upper face plate swivels up a bit, providing access to the upper trim plate. 		Here is the upper face plate moved out of the way.
Here is the upper face plate moved out of the way.
OK, now the upper trim plate can be removed. Three screws. Here is the rightmost screw coming out.
OK, now the upper trim plate can be removed. Three screws. Here is the rightmost screw coming out. 		With the upper trim plate carefully removed, the microwave itself is finally free to slide forward, exposing the top.
With the upper trim plate carefully removed, the microwave itself is finally free to slide forward, exposing the top. 		There is a piece of insulation that needs to be removed next. The bulb holder assembly is underneath.
There is a piece of insulation that needs to be removed next. The bulb holder assembly is underneath.
And there it is! The holy grail - access granted to the bulb holder.
And there it is! The holy grail - access granted to the bulb holder. 		A better view of the holder with the spring clip released on the right side. It pulls up, and the bulb holder comes out.
A better view of the holder with the spring clip released on the right side. It pulls up, and the bulb holder comes out. 		There is the culprit. One dead bulb. 12 volts, 5 watts. We are replacing it with a cheaper 12v, 10 watt bulb from Lowe's. The tech service is charging me $10 for this bulb, but the OEM replacement would have been $35!
There is the culprit. One dead bulb. 12 volts, 5 watts. We are replacing it with a cheaper 12v, 10 watt bulb from Lowe's. The tech service is charging me $10 for this bulb, but the OEM replacement would have been $35!