Pushbuttons and LCD display also failed
Written: Jan 06 '06 (Updated Oct 28 '06)
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Pros: Sleek design.
Cons: Very poor reliability. Why not make electronic display and pushbuttons that actually LAST ?
The Bottom Line: Poor reliability on a built-in appliance like this definitely means NOT RECOMMENDED.
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| esscargo55's Full Review: Sharp R-1500 1000 Watts Microwave Oven |
I like the style of this unit, the hidden pushbuttons and controls, the high power and fast cooking times. However, there are fundamental flaws with those controls (display and pushbuttons) that make this unit very unreliable and thus not recommended.
I have had the exact same problems that others have described here: replacement of control board and LCD display twice due to fading/flickering LCD elements. First replacement was by Sears in August 2003 under the original manufacturer warranty, the second replacement was in Sept 2004 and Sears covered that one too (I told them I was not going to be very happy about paying to replace the same assembly they had put in barely one year earlier and the service guy did not really question it - I assume they backcharged Sharp again).
Of course in calls to Sharp customer service, they deny any knowledge of a "pattern" of failures with this unit, which obviously is a lie. (They no doubt know how many replacement control/display boards are being sold.)
Now I have gone another year and the display seems to be holding together, though we have had a couple incidents of LCD elements taking a few days to "come back" after a power outage. Recently I purchased a surge/EMF/RFI protector from Ace Hardware for about $6 in the hope that cleaning up the power supplied to the oven may help prevent the display problems.
Now I also have the broken START button issue as others have had and just ordered the replacement part from Sears.com for $19 ($30 total incl tax and shipping). After ordering I figured out the same part is available from Tritronics.com for $6 less. Next time the display fails I will use the guy referenced in other reviews at www.microwavedisplay.com
If it wasn't for the fact that this is a built-in unit and therefore a real hassle to replace, I would just toss it in favor of some other brand.
Update October 2006:
After a couple elements in the digital readout failed again early in the year, this past summer I had the display repaired by www.microwavedisplay.com. Service and response was excellent and the unit seems to be working flawlessly to this point. I highly recommend Mr. Miller to anyone seeking this type of repair for these microwaves.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 250
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Epinions.com ID:
esscargo55
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Location: DuPage County, IL
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Homeowner 20 years (2nd home), married 22 years, 2 teenagers.
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