If you find that your oven isn't heating up properly, this could be due to a faulty thermostat, heating element or selector switch. Fortunately, you can test all of these parts with a multimeter to find out where the fault is coming from and determine which part needs replacing. In this article, we'll focus on showing you how to use a multimeter to test the thermostat on your oven to see if it's the thermostat that needs to be replaced. However, if you follow this guide and find that the thermostat is working fine, we also have articles showing you how to use a multimeter to test the heating element and test the selector switch too.
Please note that this process may differ a little depending on your particular make and model of oven. However, overall the process should generally be similar.
What you will need:
How to use a multimeter to test the thermostat on your oven
Let's begin! To learn how to test an oven thermostat with a multimeter, either watch the video or follow our written step-by-step guide below.
Safety first!
Remember, always make sure your appliance is switched off and unplugged from the mains before carrying out any work. If your oven is wired in, however, turn off the switch that powers the oven in the kitchen, then also go to your fuse box and turn off the switch that powers the oven there too.
Step 1: Remove the control panel and top panel
To access the thermostat for testing, you'll first need to remove the control panel (also known as the fascia) and top panel of your oven. First, using your Torx T-20 screwdriver, unscrew the two screws at the back of the oven that hold the top panel in place.
Then, going to the front of your appliance, you will also need to remove all of the control knobs and buttons from the control panel. Use your flathead screwdriver to prise each knob and button out of its socket until you have removed them all.
Next, open the grill door and use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws under the control panel (one on either side).
You should now be able to remove the control panel. To do this, simply slide it across and then lift it away from the oven. The fascia will still be connected by its wire connections, so you can go ahead and unplug these too.
Now you can finish unscrewing the top panel. Using your Phillips screwdriver, remove the two screws that hold the top panel in place at the front of the oven (one on either side).
With the top panel unscrewed, you can lift it up and turn it over. It will still be connected to the oven by all of its electrical connections.
You can then go ahead and unclip the two electrical plug connections, which will allow you to fully remove the top panel and place it aside.
Step 2: Test the thermostat
Now it's time to test your oven's thermostat! First, you'll need to set up the multimeter. To do this, plug the probes into the multimeter, making sure the black probe connects to black and the red probe connects to red. Switch the dial to the continuity setting, then finish setting up the multimeter by switching it on.
With the top panel removed, you will be able to see the thermostat. You will need to remove the electrical connections to test it with your multimeter. Take note of which wire connects to which side of the thermostat, taking a photo for reference if necessary, as you will need to ensure you reconnect them to the same terminals later.
With the thermostat wires disconnected, you will also need to pop the knob back onto the thermostat spindle before testing it. It will most likely already be in the "off" position, but make sure that this is the case before proceeding.
Then, to test the thermostat, grab the two probes and press them onto the thermostat terminals that you removed the electrical connections from. There should be no sound as the thermostat should be switched off.
Then turn the knob a bit so that the thermostat is on. With the knob turned, press the two probes onto the terminals again. If the thermostat is working correctly, the multimeter will emit a beeping sound to indicate it is working. If this is the case, you can disconnect the multimeter and reconnect the two wire connections to the correct terminals on the thermostat.
If there is no beep, however, this means the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced. You can learn how to replace your thermostat with our step-by-step guide on replacing the thermostat in an electric cooker.
Step 3: Refit the top panel and control panel
Now it's time to reassemble your oven. First, grab the top panel and gently lay it down on top of your cooker, then reconnect the electrical connection plugs from the oven to the panel.
With the electrical connections reconnected, turn the top panel over so that it's the right way up and reposition it into place on top of the oven.
Then secure the top panel in place at the front by returning the two screws (one on either side).
Next, reconnect the control panel to the wire connections and slot it back into place on the front of the oven.
With the grill open, secure the control panel by returning the two screws you removed earlier into the bottom of the panel.
Then you can refit all of the knobs and buttons by pushing them back into place on the control panel. Just make sure all of the markings on the knobs are in the same positions as before, which should be the 'off' position.
Finally, finish securing the top panel by returning the two screws at the back (one on either side).
And there you have it! All there is to testing and replacing a faulty oven thermostat. While you're here, make sure you check out our Youtube multimeter video playlist to learn how to use a multimeter to test any other electrical appliance parts for faults too!
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