Need help - experience in basic appliance repair? somebody twisted the knob the wrong way.. twice… broken need some guidance?

[JImmyK]

Hi all,

They had never used an American stove before and by mistake twisted the knob the wrong way.. and then did it again - so two of them are broken.

Now I do not know if I need to replace the entire burner valve? Which is absolutely fine but it costs like 200 bucks each - or just the broken switch pieces? Which I can’t find.

the broken pieces are in the last picture - as they did it twice it is 2 burner knobs.

spent 5 hours on this - tired and annoyed… thx gents

GE Monogram model number ZGU36N4RD1SS

 

[deadlyapp]

Does it use an electronic potentiometer to control the gas? I would have expected that only the plastic knob failed but you've disassembled far more than that.

You should remove one of the good knobs and compare them to see what appears to be broken, otherwise it will be very hard to determine what needs to be actually replaced.

 

[sdifox]

maybe this will help you figure it out?

 

[JImmyK]

You are on point sir - the plastic front piece seems to be fine - these components were the only broken ones I could find in picture 4. The metal peices are bent and broken and it was not moving in anymore when I pushed the knob.

The lady simply twisted the knob hard after feeling resistance the opposite direction - didn’t push it in or anything.

I think I’ll just buy the entire valve unit for a quick drop in install - makes sense?

Does it use an electronic potentiometer to control the gas? I would have expected that only the plastic knob failed but you've disassembled far more than that.

You should remove one of the good knobs and compare them to see what appears to be broken, otherwise it will be very hard to determine what needs to be actually replaced.

 

[SKORPI0]

Which part # is broken? 25,26, 162?

Assembly View for MANIFOLD & CONTROLS | ZGU36N4RD1SS

www.geapplianceparts.com

eBay - https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&_nkw=WB21X5354+&_sacat=0

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/product/69pgykdp3t-0022-364/id-wb21x5357.

 

[deadlyapp]

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/product/69pgykdp3t-0022-364/id-wb21x5357.

Jesus I'd just toss the thing at that point.

You may want to call around to some appliance repair companies that may be able to point you to salvaged ranges for parts or may be able to repair the valve itself for much cheaper.

 

[JImmyK]

Very helpful - that confirms it the broken piece is clearly my picture 4 - that shaft and the metal pieces should be attached but they were sheared off by her twisting.

I still don’t know if I can find this part or do I need to buy the entire 200 dollar unit… 2 of them as she broke both

maybe this will help you figure it out?

 

[sdifox]

Go to an appliance repair shop, you should be able to buy that part and not the whole valve assembly. Seems to be designed to shear as a safety mechanism. Like the shear pin for snowblowers.

 

[nakedfrog]

LOL, I find it hilarious that she broke two of them off, rather than pausing to think "hm, this seems awfully difficult, maybe I'm doing it wrong".

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

The lady simply twisted the knob hard after feeling resistance ...

East Slovakian Weighting and Shotput Champion?

 

[SKORPI0]

Why not ask her to pay for damages to the stove?

 

[JImmyK]

answering this will certainly bring the combined wrath and judgement of anadtech OT upon me… however, she is our new live in housekeeper - ironic that she is not good with a stove….

no worries gents - I just ordered 2 of the items - they will be delivered shortly.

Thank you all - I miss this forum - 23 years later you are all still and absolutely outstanding bunch 👍🏼

Why not ask her to pay for damages to the stove?

 

[dank69]

East Slovakian Weighting and Shotput Champion?

Seriously. I would love to know exactly how much force is required to do that.

 

[repoman0]

You might be able to find the parts cheaper too on e.g. Amazon if you search. I just fixed my GE microwave that blew its door switches — GE wanted $50 each for the two I wanted to replace and another $45 for the fuse on a $300 microwave. Searched the p/n on Amazon and found some Chinese knockoffs for $6 each and a pack of five identical fuses for $19. The switches showed up and they weren’t Chinese knockoffs at all — high quality genuine DONGNAN, same as the original ones that came out!

Can always count on GE to use good high quality American parts like DONGNAN.

 

[Paperdoc]

Since you've already ordered new replacements, this is a bit late. My approach (reasonably good home handyman) would mirror deadlyapp above. Check a few USED furniture / appliance shops for units with the same controls and scavenge the right units. You might get entire control knob / valve aseemblies, or maybe just parts from a couple. It appears the broken items are not the actual valve parts, but only the shaft and mounting plate.