Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Whirlpool infinte switch problem??

Whirlpool electric stove Model wgp30801 Canada

Problems with both large burners.
One burner will not heat and the other only heats medium.
Purchased a new burner and it would not heat in either large connector.
I connected the large burner to the smaller burner connector and it worked OK.
I switched the wires from the smaller burner to the larger infinite switch and everything worked OK.
I do have a multi meter but don't know how to use it to check for problems.
How do I test a infinite switch? I need to be certain before buying a new switch at Sears, which will not except returns.
My poor old mom had the burner removed while cleaning. Ithink she cleaned with a steel wool soap pad. The burner did trip the main stove breaker when the large burner was turned on after cleaning.

Dave
Newfoundland
Canada

Sounds more like bad recepticles where the burner plugs into.
Turn breaker off to stove & remove the screw holding recepticle.
Inspect recepticle for burnt terminals or wire burnt off. They are fairly inexpensive to replace. Worth a try before buying an infinite switch. If the infinite switch worked ok by switching over to a small burner theres a good chance its working ok however, the small burner is drawing less wattage & theres still a chance the contacts are getting bad in the switch. Dave

I just installed a new infinite switch before reading the posted advice. When I turned on the burner it sparked and made some nosie from the recepticle/connector and tripped the main stove breaker.

What next?????? Does this mean a bad recpticle??
I just can't afford a repairman.

Dave

It sounds like a wire burnt off your recepticle. Turn breaker off,
remove screw holding recepticle to stove top & pull out to look at it. Dave