Have you looked into ordering and trying to install the component yourself? Any youtube videos? I usually take the approach that I can't make it any worse... haha.

If you are going to address this all the way, I'd have it and the cabinetry replaced to fit a microwave with trim kit so the oven/micro can be replaced in years to come, if needed. Short-term, a cheap microwave to sit on the counter, or hang from a cabinet.

I had a micro-over-range, and it was a problem. I am just a little too short to easily manuver things in/out of it, certainly can't clean/see in it without dragging a stool out, and my big pots (that I use on the back for simmering, soups, etc) could not be looked into/stirred without moving the pot foreward, which really annoyed me. I'd lean away from putting one of those in unless you know you can work with it.

We are going with a single oven. Using a shelf kit to set a microwave over it. There are counter top microwave ovens that you can use that have trim kits available h if you want a built in look. Panasonic ovens do. Or you could have one (a trim kit) made.

There are two boards in the unit, three if the touch panel is included. Several other electrical components. You didn't provide details on the problem so can't conjecture on what may be involved. Prices are quoted from an online source that usually is lowest.

touch panel = WPW10161679 -- $165
control board = WPW10438710 -- $279
oven board = WP8301848 -- $160
temp sensor = WPW10131825 -- $52

Have the control panel repaired. It' just not that expensive. There are a number of companies that you can send the panel to and have them make the repair. It's becoming increasingly common now that we all have circuit boards in our appliances. I would go that route first. You will have to be patient, send it out, wait for repair and then have it reinstalled. But, it can be done for a much more reasonable price than replacing the entire unit.

@ReneeTexas: I might try to give it a shot; believe it or not I have a minor in computer engineering, so maybe I could get it to work? I'm still very concerned that I'd spend a fair bit of money, not fix anything, and have to buy a new unit anyhow. Thanks for the feedback.

@friedajune: if you look at microwaves that are specifically "built in" models they're typically $1000 over a similar countertop model (take a look at the model number I cited). I'm guessing this is an aesthetic cost more than anything else.

As for the 30" wide, that would actually be preferable because the oven is 30" wide. But, as you said, there are other issues with doing an OTR.

@dadoes: I'll have to look around to see which source you're talking about. Most of the ones I saw seemed to have the control board at $359 by itself. I'm also a little concerned about the potential problem of fixing those bits and not having it actually resolve the problem since i'm hedging a guess based on other things I've read.

@homechef59: I haven't read any instances of sending the original unit to be repaired. Any recommended vendors?

Do a web search for appliance circuit board repair. Here is one I found: https://circuitboardmedics.com/

We have a GE Profile microwave/oven combination and have had the microwave loose its magnetron twice. It is over 14 years old but the price of a new one is so high we just keep fixing it. Also, our kitchen was remodeled when bisque was a popular color. No more, so there is another dilemma. I hired the local GE dealer for the first fix, but his price went up steeply for the second so I just bought the part online and had our handyman put it in. Good luck.

This is a search from AJ Madison of built in microwaves. They range in price from $200 to $1400 for the microwave drawers. Based on the location it will reside in, the microwave drawer is not what you are looking for. Microtrim kits run about $150 (last time I looked about 2yrs ago) if you want one. The challenge is to find a microwave that will it in the space remaining after the oven and shelf have been placed.

Good luck!

CoreCentricSolutions.com and FixYourBoard.com are two established board repair services (may be others). Check their sites for boards they're confirmed to handle, contact them directly if yours isn't listed. I've used FixYourBoard. A little higher cost than CoreCentric but they have a 2-yr warranty on the repaired board. You send the board to them. They repair, contact you for payment when done and send it back.