Here is a little more information that might help clarify the purpose of the diode across the PTO coil (paraphrased from a Wikipedia article): The functional name given to the diode is a 'snubber'. Snubbers are frequently used in electrical systems with an inductive load (PTO coil) where the sudden interruption of current flow often leads to a sharp rise in voltage across the device creating the interruption (the PTO switch). This sharp rise in voltage is a transient and can damage and lead to failure of the controlling device (PTO switch). When the current flowing is DC, a simple rectifier diode is often employed as a snubber. The snubber diode is wired in parallel with an inductive load (such as the PTO coil). The diode is installed so that it does not conduct under normal conditions. When current to the inductive load (PTO coil) is rapidly interrupted (by the PTO switch), a large voltage spike would be produced in the reverse direction (as the inductor (PTO coil) attempts to keep current flowing in the circuit). This spike is known as an "inductive kick". Placing the snubber diode in inverse parallel with the inductive load (PTO coil) allows the current from the inductor to flow through the diode rather than through the switching element (PTO switch), dissipating the energy stored in the inductive load over the series resistance of the inductor (PTO coil) and the (usually much smaller) resistance of the diode. So, this inductive kick does not feed back into ground or into any other part of the engine such as the starter (as mownie correctly mentioned). The potentially damaging energy is dissipated in the series resistance of the diode and the PTO coil.

I live in Georgia. There is no way she can go after them. It's not possible. They don't have any money and live from job to job and are feeding their families and if you took money from them or got a judgment they could end up in prison if not able to pay and unable to provide for their family. It would not be satisfying. In the end it really just can't be done by us who feel sorry for them and understand these economic times. They usually work for less than a big company. They are not bad people just unfortunate people. There have been times when I have had to adjust my thinking to it being more or less a "donation" not that I can afford it but I can certainly afford it more than they can and have had in the past a better life. When you know the people and have used them before and had no problems with them it's not easy to haul them into court. I am happy that OP is not going that route even though she has been terribly wronged and certainly justified. Sometimes we get our reward in other ways. It's part of life and I am so very sorry this happened and hope that it will come out with some of the remedies presented. If not, I so feel your pain having had similar things happen to me on several occasions. It's no fun being the brunt of carelessness but sometimes the protracted route of going after people just make our stress level even worse and will end up the same anyway with you resolving it yourself. Here's to hoping it will all work out and that the paint will come out or be able to be covered up. I am sick about this for you.

In the rental we were living in prior to buying our home, I had the same problem with a kenmore stove. I was using the right burner in the front, and it decided to turn itself on high, and wouldn't shut off. It ruined my new Cuisinart nonstick pan. It did this several times. Unfortunately, the house we purchased has the same stove (and crappy dishwasher, also a kenmore, same builder built both houses) I haven't had it happen yet to me with this stove, but the front left burner is already having issues and the stove was only used for 1.5-2 years. The burner will only work on high. The model is 790.96019400. Our wall oven works, but the control panel has issues in the way that most of the lights on it stay lit all the time, when they are not supposed to do that. It's also a kenmore, model 790.47179400. And the worlds crappiest dishwasher is model 587.1514900. I really appreciate you posting this, I am going to look into this. I'm so sorry you've had such a bad week with your appliances! :o(

In my 632, the door seals are kept warm by SZ routing the hot refrigerant lines inside the frame (opposite the seals). Normally one doesn't notice that the seals or frame are particularly warm. When my condenser coil fan started having trouble starting, the refrigerant started getting very hot, and it was obvious at the door that something was amiss. Under those conditions -- inadequate refrigerant cooling -- the refrigerator cannot easily reach its set temperature. If I left the cover off of the mechanical bay, even a badly operating fan was sufficient to allow the unit to work. However, replacing the fan was essential, and doing so fixed the issue. I assume your tech checked refrigerant pressure or whatever to know that you don't have a leak. If so, then look at the fan and see if it seems to start OK and run at a reasonable speed. Also, with leather gloves for protection, if the fan is off then check it for excess friction. Observe fan duration. If it is on for a very long time then either the refrigeration system lacks efficiency or there is a heat leak into the refrigerator.