1960's Frigidaire Double Wall oven heating problem

9 years ago

I'm hoping someone with appliance repair knowledge can point me in the right direction.
I've got an early 1960's Frigidaire Custom Imperial Double wall oven, Model:RBGB-99 CH (estimate 1959-1963).
Recently the top oven stopped heating to proper temps, only the top broiler element is heating up.
So far I've checked the following:
Swapped bake element from top not working oven into bottom working oven, it works fine so I do not think the element is bad.
Checked for voltage at the connection of the element, I get ~120V on the RH side to the middle ground, but the LH side to the middle ground gets 0V.
Checked the voltage at all of the contacts on the thermostat, both with the oven turned on and off to determine inputs vs outputs of the stat.
Compared those same values to the t-stat on the working lower oven, there is no difference, so I think the T-stat is also functioning.
The clock connection appears to be wired before the T-stat so I do not think it is an issue with cook timer failing because the T-stat should not get power if the clock was bad, and both outputs from the t-stat measured ~120V with the oven on, and 0V with it off.

Any ideas what to check next? I am hoping not to replace it, because it is both a cool feature in our kitchen and it is built into our chimney so the cost to modify the opening to accept a new size oven would be very very high. There are no wall ovens on the market that fit our opening.
Thank you in advance if you can help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

jakvis
9 years ago
Some of the older Frigidaire ovens had a double break relay to handle the high amp loads of the elements. Most likely your failure is there.
chsigx
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion jakvis, I will do some searching for break relay information. Being so old there is very little information out there.

I've found the Fridigaire service manual from 1960 for ranges with built in ovens. And while slightly different the wiring diagram has so far matched closely, minus the range top. Just different pinout names on the thermostat.
There is nothing about a double line break in the wiring diagram, but it may have had a different name back then. Or maybe 1960 was prior to double line breaks.
It looks like power goes through the "cook master" which is the clock and timer control, then into the thermostat, out to "rotisserie connector" (which I am not sure if my model has that option as i dont see any connector for a rotisserie), and then into the two bake and broil elements. I'll pull it out of the wall tonight to see if there is a rear access panel for the wiring
Related Discussions
Electrolux Icon double oven problems
Q
Comments (19)
This is a follow-up to all the problems with my Electrolux ICON Pro double ovens-(E30EW85GPS5). Yesterday Electrolux approved us for replacement of our ovens and the new ones should be here and installed in about 2 weeks. Based on all the research I have done I truly do believe my problems were unique and that my units were lemons and that over all the Electrolux Icon Pro is a good oven�time will tell once the new ones are here and I can start using them. Furthermore, Lowe's (where I purchased the ovens from) said once the new ovens are here to call their extended warranty department and they can assign a new end date to my extended protection plan based on the install date of the new replacement ovens. So a few lessons learned from this experience: Deal directly with the appliance manufacturer on new appliances not the store's warrant service. Even if they say as a consumer convenience they will handle both the manufacturers and extended warrant issue. Keep great records of everything and if you can photo copy the service mans paperwork for the repair order. Conference call all involved parties together so you can all hear the same thing at the same time. There were some huge communication disconnects between the repair companies, Lowe's and Electrolux regarding paperwork and repair /problem and diagnostic history. If the first resolution offered is not acceptable say so and stand firm. Initially Electrolux offered me a 3 month manufacturers warrant extension and not replacement of my defective ovens. I said no that was useless, especially since I purchased the extended protection plan. Do not consider buying these ovens without also getting an extended service plan, but I would say that on any oven today. In shopping for the appliances in our new kitchen we found that most of the high end appliances (Wolf, Viking, Dacor, Electrolux Icon...) were all priced the same store to store with prices set by the manufactures. We found the saving to occur in combined cost of delivery, installation and especially the cost of the extended service plans. In this we found Sears/ Home Goods to have the most expensive extended service plans on appliances and for Lowe's to have some of the least expensive service plan, especially since they have a reduced price for multiple appliance bundles on the service agreement. With regards to the cracked cooktop grate (cracked after first time using high heat) on my Electrolux Icon Pro slide in cook top; Electrolux is sending me part of the replacement cost of the grate-- $75 of the $155 I paid for the new grate. They said I never contacted them when it broke, correct I contacted Lowe's since that is what the store said to do for all needs on my new appliances. To be continued once the replacement ovens are installed...
...See More
Two single wall ovens instead of a double wall oven
Q
Comments (22)
HU, I don’t know if what I have to say will help. I discovered that oven makers are making 24” ovens in Stainless Steel. I have ordered two 24” Frigidaire ovens that are nearly the same size as the old Thermador. The appliance dealer’s installer came and said he would figure out how to make a divider, and a mason contractor I had for another job said he could resize the brick wall, but I guess it’s up to the appliance installer to put in the divider board. So check with your appliance dealer to see if his installer can figure out how to support the upper oven.
...See More
opinion: double wall ovens vs combination wall oven and microwave
Q
Comments (13)
It depends upon how you want to use that second oven. The microwave/convection oven requires you to choose between a glass base or a metal base, depending upon which process you're using. If you envision using the Advantium (I presume the other alternatives are similar in this regard) for an oven frequently and you also use a microwave frequently, I think you would find changing these out irritating. If, instead, you will only use it infrequently as an oven and frequently as a microwave, then it's easy enough to use. My Advantium preheats in roughly 5 minutes. It cools down very fast and I have not had any problem using it as a microwave right after using it as an oven. (I'm using it now on the countertop during the temporary kitchen phase. A real godsend!) If you go this route, you want to have a convenient location for storing whichever base isn't being used at the time along with the rack that isn't used during microwaving.
...See More
Our 1960's Frigidaire Flair
Q
Comments (30)
I had no idea so many people knew about these ranges. Thank you for sharing your stories. It's funny what an appliance can conger up in our memories. We lived in this condo for over 10 years. I had never seen a range like this before. I just couldn't believe the whole pull the stove out thing. I am not much of a cook... but what little I have learned, I learned on that range. I remember trying to make my first batch of jam... sticky fruit burping in a big pot, jars boiling away in an even bigger pot... wondering if the whole stove was going to collapse on me. LOL It really says something about that range if even I couldn't kill it! We found the original manual...but on our cover she doesn't have a crown! Maybe it is in the wall Beekeeperswife! :) I didn't know about the retro renovation site. Thanks for mentioning it. We are going to try Craigslist first then see what happens. Johnliu, you are not too far off about the idea of keeping it. We did actually consider it. But removing it eventually outweighed keeping it. I never thought about selling the Nu-Tone blender motor. Thanks for that idea!
...See More
relic
9 years ago
I believe you have a 61-62 model, mine is a 64 and I wouldn't trade it for
any modern unit.

The relay sounds like it could be the problem, check with the folks at
automaticwasher.org, they know these old Frigidaire's inside and out.

For parts, try Modern parts in Parma Ohio, also Dave's Repair.

he has tons of old parts from his fathers old shop.
chsigx
Original Author
9 years ago
I have some good news, it was much simpler than I thought. One of the two wires connecting to the lower element had become brittle at the end and broke off. Scary part is that if it was touching the oven body, one of us could have got a good shock including my 16mo daughter ;(.
I stripped off about an inch and out on a new connector, did both wires just in case.
So now my 50 year old oven can live on for another turkey day or two.
Thanks for the suggestions! I've been meaning to sign up for automatic washer.org, as I have an old GE range and whirlpool dishwasher from about the same era. I would love to give them a new home, we have no plans to use them. If anyone is looking for a vintage range or dishwasher, they are free to someone that can remove them and haul them
boba1
9 years ago
Yes, your GE cooktop (or an actual range) might be of significant interest. The dishwasher even more so!!! Please join us.
tedgreen2007
8 years ago
I have a Frigidaire Imperial double oven. The bottom element on both ovens is not working. Model RBE397U. Does anyone know where I can get a manual and what the problem may be?
carolinedday
8 years ago
I have a 1960"s frigidare double wall oven that looks perfect. The bottom works great but the top needs a thermostat which i have two. Does anyone know of someone that would like to buy this oven?
Greta Threadgill
7 years ago
I just purchased a house with the Frigidaire Imperial Double Oven and we don't want to get rid of it I need to if anyone know of anyone that can repair this oven. Thanks
Greta Threadgill
7 years ago
I also have installed in my Kitchen Island is a Char Glo CG29E Indoor Grill and I would like to have it repaired or where I might purchase a new one and I also need to know about the ventilation. See attached pictures.
Jennifer Boone
5 years ago
I have a 1963 delux cookmaster and the broil light comes on but no heat. Could it just be the elements . wherewhere do I find these? Pbg94
Eric Ryan
4 years ago
I have a couple they work great and id like to get rid of them

1960's Frigidaire Double Wall oven heating problem

Comments (11)

jakvis

chsigx
Original Author

Related Discussions

relic

chsigx
Original Author

boba1

tedgreen2007

carolinedday

Greta Threadgill

Greta Threadgill

Jennifer Boone

Eric Ryan

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

1960's Frigidaire Double Wall oven heating problem

Comments (11)

chsigxOriginal Author

Related Discussions

chsigxOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

chsigx
Original Author

chsigx
Original Author