Kenmore Range Self-Cleaning Problems
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Touchpad
The door lock indicator light should come on and you should hear the lock motor running when the self-clean button is pressed. If the indicator light does not come on and you don’t hear a low humming noise as the door is being locked, it’s likely the oven’s touchpad is faulty and will need to be replaced.
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Door Lock Motor and Switch Assembly
During the oven’s self-cleaning cycle, the door lock switch activates the door lock motor to prevent the oven door from being opened. If the door lock motor and switch assembly is defective, the oven door will not unlock once the self-cleaning cycle is complete. On most ovens, you can open the oven door by removing certain screws or panels. Check your owner’s manual for further instructions.
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Temperature Control Thermostat
The oven thermostat sends voltage to the heating circuit and regulates the temperature of the oven during the self-cleaning cycle. It is possible for the oven thermostat to function properly for baking and broiling but not for cleaning. Due to its complexity, the oven thermostat is difficult to test. If you suspect the oven thermostat is at fault, replace it.
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Door Latch
For your safety, the self-clean cycle will not begin unless the oven door is locked. If the door latch is broken and unable to allow the door to be locked, the self-clean cycle will not begin. Inspect the latch for damage. You can also use a multimeter to test the latch assembly’s microswitch, if applicable, to determine if the switch has appropriate electrical continuity. If the latch is damaged or the microswitch tests negative for continuity, the door latch should be replaced.
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Oven Control Board
The oven control board has relays that send voltage to the bake and broil circuits according to the user settings and sensor input. If the control board is defective, it may not send voltage to the heating components.
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Door Switch
A defective door switch may prevent the oven door from locking. The door switch is often part of the circuit that causes the oven door to lock during the self-cleaning cycle. If the oven door is unable to lock, the self-cleaning cycle will not start. To determine whether the door switch is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the door switch does not have continuity, replace it.
Kenmore Range/Stove/Oven Temperature Sensor
An oven’s temperature sensor monitors the temperature inside the oven cavity in order to maintain an accurate temperature. The temperature sensor may be out of calibration or stop working properly after it heats up. The sensor can be tested for a proper ohm reading at a set temperature with a multimeter to help determine if the part is defective or not.