Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Odd Old GE Electric stove Problem

Hi, I've got an old GE stove. There's an 8 inch burner with 4 connections on the end. The number of coils to use can be controlled by a set of pushbutton switches on the upper part of the stove. The stove is the huge type with an oven on top and an oven at the bottom. This 8 inch burner also has thermostatically controlled heating capability. The heat sensor is in the very middle of the burner. The burner stopped working so I bought another burner but it did not fix the problem. The thermostat thing looks like it might be broken, the bottom of it seems to have a very loose wire just barely hanging there. This thermostat is wildly expensive, about $100.00. I am wondering can I take the thermostat, cut the wires, connect them together and have the burner work? I don't much car about being able to have the burner regulate the heat itself, I just want the burner to work. Will this approach work or might I blow out a fuse doing this. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Hello: rmmagow

If any guidance would be greatly appreciated, I would offer these possibilities.

The center thermostat may not be the cause of the problem. The element may not be getting electrical current from the switch. If you are handy with a volt meter, test for electrical current at the element terminals. May not be any current going to the heating element from the switch.

If current is present, than it is possible the thermostat is the cause. Might try testing for current at the wires of the thermostat. If current is present, than connecting the loose wires together and note the results. May blow the fuse, cause a short or some other electrical problem. Have to try and note the results.

Retail appliance parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Appliance part stores and parts dealers are listed in the phone book.

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The burner does get hot for a few seconds, not all the way to red or anything but too hot to rest your hand on it. From what my wife mentioned, it started being incosistent about getting hot about 3 weekd before it died altogether. I may try to first clip out the heat sensor thing, see what happens, then tie the wires together and see what happens. I'm pretty leary of working on 240V stuff. 110 will get your attention, 240 might shut off the lights so to speak :-)

Unless some repairer stole it , there should be a wiring diagram located some where inside the back cove or perhaps in the back of the control panel. I'd have to see your range to decide where it is probabley located. That diagram should show you all the connections. These magic eye burners are long gone.