How to Replace Your Maytag Range’s Door Switch When the Light Won’t Turn On

If your oven light isn’t working properly, that can make cooking difficult. Many times, the light itself is working perfectly. Instead, the door switch is failing to engage and turn the light on when needed. Replace the door switch with just one part and a bit of time. Start by ordering a new door switch for your KitchenAid or Maytag range, which is part #WP9757262, and then follow these steps.

1. Unplug the oven before you get started. 

Remove the lower drawer and set it aside. Next, grab the frame to pull the machine out from between the cabinets so you can access the power cord. Unplugging the oven before you start your repairs keeps you safe, even if you don’t think you’ll be directly touching electrical components. If your oven is wired directly into your house’s power, turn off the appropriate circuit breaker.  During this repair, you will be dismantling the machine and exposing electrical components, so make sure the power is completely disconnected, not just that the appliance is off.

2. Dismantle the rear of the appliance.

First, loosen the screws securing the control panel’s cover at the bottom of the cover. Remove the lower panel. Then loosen the two screws below it that hold the control panel against the oven frame. There’s one in either corner.Next, flip the control panel around so you can access the wires. But don’t pull it away from the machine because that could stretch or pull out the wires. Instead, use two S hooks, one on either side, to hang the open control panel from the top of the frame. This gives you easy access to the wiring.Remove the screws holding the brackets that secure the top of the oven to the frame. Also, loosen the two screws on the underside of the two front corners of the top. Then lift the front edge up at an angle so you can lift the back edge free of the groove that secures it. Lift the whole top of the range free and set it aside.Go to the back of the machine. Locate and remove the two screws holding the lower rear access panel, and set the panel aside.

3. Remove the right side panel.

First, remove the screws holding the brackets on each side of the oven’s rear. This should loosen the upper rear access panel so it’s just hanging from a top groove. Lift this panel up and set it aside.Next, loosen the screws securing the two screws on the right side of the element support panel; if you’re standing behind the machine, this is the left-hand side. Then remove the four screws on the rear lip of the right side (left from the rear) panel and the two screws on the front lip near the bracket holding the control panel. Now that all of the screws holding the side panel in place are gone, you can push down the rear retaining tab on the panel and fully remove it.

4. Replace the old door switch.

Remove the insulating cover in the top left corner. Find the door switch wire harness behind the insulating cover and disconnect it. Next, locate the actuator rod that runs horizontally near the top of the appliance outside the insulation. The door switch is at the rear of the actuator rod. Press down the locking tabs and push the door switch end through the hole in the securing bracket. Then slide the front of the rod free of the appliance.Now you can unhook the old door switch from the end of the actuator rod. Set it aside and hook the new door switch around the end.

5. Install the new switch.

Run the actuator rod through front hole. Snap the switch the through the rear bracket until you hear it lock into place. Then plug in the wire harness in the top left corner. After that, put the insulating cover back into position over the hook.

6. Reassemble the side and rear panels of the oven.

Slide the side panel into place while ensuring that the front tabs line up. Then snap the rest of the sides into place. You may have to slightly lift the element support bracket to fit the panel into place. Make sure the rear bottom corner audibly snaps into position against the locking tab. Once it’s fully in place, retighten the two screws in the bracket behind the control panel. Also, tighten the screws along the rear lip of the side panel.After that, tighten the screws connecting the element support bracket to the top lip of the side panel. Next, reassemble the rear access panels. Start with the top panel. Hook it in place on the top tabs. Then resecure the left and right brackets on the outer edge of the top access panel. Slip the bottom rear access panel into place. Start by holding it parallel to the floor and sliding the three tabs into the holes along the top of the panel. Then lower it until it’s flush with the appliance. Tighten the two screws, one on either side of the panel. 

7. Reassemble the rest of the machine.

Lay the top panel on top of the elements, but hold it at a slight angle. Slide the rear edge under the back of the element support panel and then lower the top the rest of the way.Replace the two corner screws at the front underside, as well as the four screws securing the front of the top panel to the frame. Flip the control panel back over and position it against the top panel. Retighten the two corner screws. Then slide the lower cover into position. You will need to make sure the top edge of the cover falls into place against the groove at the bottom rear of the control panel. Hold it in place and secure it with the screws you removed earlier. Close the door.Plug the machine back in and push it back between the cabinets.If you have more repairs you want to make, contact us at Darn Marc Appliance. We can send a technician for complicated repairs and help get your appliances running again.