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I have a GE Spacemaker undercounter microwave JVM250AL from 1994. Home Depot came to install a new one and more or less told me I have to take out the cabinet. The cabinet was there b4 the microwave. There are no screws coming down from the cabinet above. took off the front vent and do not see any screws inside to take out. Could it possibly just on a grid?
Already Tried: Google search Looking at the unit Home Depot I have no tried anything physically to take it out
Hi, Welcome to JustAnswer.com, I am glad you are here! My name is Eric & I will endeavor to answer your question.
The people who come from The Home Depot frustrate the life out of me sometimes. They often just don't know enough to really be doing their job. If a person is going to be sent out to install an under cabinet microwave, he needs to be trained in how to remove the old ones. There are several ways these units have been fastened over the years and if I need to, I will walk you through each one of them. If you will give me a moment to consult my records however, I will see if I can determine which of them the GE JVM250AL from 1994 used without having to go through them all.
I have a problem hitting accept when I haven't gotten any kind of answer. You say you are looking it up so I am going to assume I should hit reply to expert. BTW I am a female and won't be doing this remobal. I will need to call Home depot and blast them
Hi,
I do not expect you to click on accept until you are happy with my answer. I intend to provide you with instructions on how to uninstall the unit that you may then if you like, provide to The Home Depot or whomever.
You may even if your wish, delay clicking on accept until they come back out and you determine that what I have told you to do actually worked. I just hope that once the unit is out that you will not forget about me, LOL!
Are you able however, to confirm some visual aspects of the unit though if I need you to do that?
YesI took the vent cover offI also know there are no screws coming down from the top cabinet
I m looking at a scan of an 18 year old exploded parts view of your microwave. I see the bracket and am trying to remember exactly how this particular unit works.
some articles I read said there were three screws in the top - nope another said there were 2 screws on the side. I do not see any that have a screw head
Here is a link to the drawing I am viewing:
http://screencast.com/t/48IZnrF9b3Si
As for screws, they would not be on the side. If there are no screws in the cabinet above that go down through the cabinet and into the unit and there are none or no clips inside the front grill, Check to see if there are and screws or clips under the unit at the back wall.
With some of these, you had to stick a screwdriver into the right and left side of the vent and disengage a locking clip.
Some of these older units had clips under the unit up against the back splash that you had to tap either left or right with the tip of a screwdriver and hammer. Moving the clips disengaged a lock which then allowed the unit to slide forward. When your unit does come out, it should slide forward.
Some units had screws again, under the unit up against the back splash that you needed to turn to allow it to come free.
It is frustrating because if I were there it would be out by now. I don't think though that I have removed a 1994 microwave for probably 5 to 7 years. There just are just not that many of them left.
Let me keep digging. With what little info I have provided, please tell me what you see.
I took out the bottom 2 vents and I see pretty large cut outs against the back wall but nothing is fastened. the only screws I see holding anything are above the keypad are 3 screws that look like if unfastened may make the unit drop?
The unit will not drop. The bracket that is secured to the wall has two big arms that stick out from the wall and the unit slides out on them. Therefore, even if the unit is loose from whatever is holding it, it will still not drop. It will slide forward about 8" and then drop.
The mounting bracket I see in the diagram looks to me like one of the ones that should have screws down from the top. I was able to locate one for sale on craigslist and it too looks as though there are holes in the top into which screws coming down through the floor of the cabinet above it would thread.
Sometimes, there has been a false bottom set into the upper cabinet in order to hide the screw heads. Have you checked for that?
Is this a picture of the unit you have?
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/app/2934618518.html
Yes that is the unit I have. My cabinets are solid oak I can't not see or imagine a fake bottom, but let me see if I can tell from where the plug comes up through he bottom
When I stick my finger down where the plug comes up I touch the microwave no fake floor
And you are reasonably sure that the unit will not just pull strait out if you tug on it?
When I took this question I was sure that by looking at the parts diagram I had, that I would be able to see exactly how it released.
I did email the seller of the other one on craigslist to ask if they might be so kind as to advise us on its removal. As I mentioned before, if I were there, I am sure I could quickly access the situation and find the release mechanism. That however does not help you in the least.
I did not try and pull it out. As simple as that does sound the Home Depot guys had me convinced there were concealed screws. I can't handle it by myself. Can I get back to you tomorrow when I can get some one to help me? I promise I won't stiff yo. If it works I will e thrilled
Of course! I will be able to check in several times thoughout the day tomorrow.
I tried to pull it out and it is not budging. I have also taken the 3 screws off by the keypad and nothing. I did find 2 screws coming from the cabinet to the left but they do not come through the microwave so possibly holding a track
Hi, I left work and am actually now broken down on the side of the road awaiting the arrival of AAA. Currently checking in on my phone. I'l have to you get back to you once I'm home and back on my real computer. Thank you very much for your patience!Eric M. Bright41003.9718043171
Hope you wait isn't long. No rush it can wait until tomorrow if you need to
Thank you for your patience! I'm still just sitting here waiting on AAA reading emails on my phone...
I have not forgotten you. After a 3.5 hour wait, AAA decided that they would not tow my van because the vehicle was commercially registered and also too heavy. Long story short, I didn't get home until 2 AM. I am at work now and checking in with you again from my phone and will continue here this afternoon. I have not exhausted my options yet. Thank you yet again for your patience!
Oh you poor thing. I am at work too, so no rush. I attempted to pull it out several times last night just for the hell of it with no luck
Thanks for your patience!
My son is having his try at it now
Good News! I have a copy of the Installation manual for your old Microwave coming to me. In it will be the instructions on how to release the unit from the bracket on which it hangs. I will post back the moment I receive it.
In the Meantime, I have been told by GE tech support that:
A. On that specific model, There are (as I initially thought) or at least are supposed to be bolts screwing down into it through the floor of the cabinet above it.
And
B. Up inside the left grease filter, there should be a slot on the back wall. This slot should have a screw through a square washer going into the wall. Remove this screw and pull the unit directly out.
My additional troughs based on 28 yrs. of experience:
An 18 year old microwave is going to also be "glued" to the wall with 18 years worth of cooking crud. Not necessarily visible but there still the same.
If there are POSITIVLY NO SCREWS through the upper cabinet and NO screw (or after you remove the screw) through the back up behind the grease filter, then you are going to have to try to pry it off the wall using a wonder bar, flat bar, large flat screw driver or crow bar of some type.
OK I think your manual has arrived, let me check the fax machine and scan it to try to get it to you.
We found one screw on the back and removed it still did not come off waiting for your reply
Ok here is a link to download a copy of your installation manual.
On the right side of page 10 of the manual (page 12 of 14 of the fax) it shows the two screws /bolts (spread far to the left and right) that are supposed to be coming down through the floor of the upper cabinet and going into the microwave.
On the bottom left corner of page 11 of the manual (page 13 of 14 of the fax) is a diagram of a screw through a rectangular shaped washer up behind the left grease filter.
Make sure all of these have been removed and pull hard. If it will not come loose, pull harder and or pry with something as I previously described because it is simply wedged or stuck!
If clicking on this link yeilds only a blank page, close it and try again as for whatever reason, on my computer I have to try twice to get it to successfully open.
Attachment: 2012-04-05_195917_jvm250al__installatio_manual_2062021266_001_08245354580001_.pdf
still no luck I have not convinced my son that we should break out thecrow bar. I will keep you posted
OK, show him the manual though!
We looked at it we did all those things. I am just concerned that because there are no screws coming down that there is one some where else we haven't found
Take a long thin narrow spatula and slide it between the top of the microwave and the cabinet. Insert it about 6" and then slide it left and right and see if it will go all the way over to the cabinet on each side or if it hits an obstruction just a couple of inches from the cabinet on the left and the right. if it slides freely all the way across the top of the microwave and can bang into the cabinets on the left and right, then we can be sure there are no screws up there.
We have done installations where the client has requested that we countersink those screws and then install a piece of veneer over the entire floor of the of the cabinet. I am just trying to make 100% sure.
How's it going?
I just cut something that will it in the space there is not much room to see if it stops. I haven't tried it yet go stuff cooking on he stoveI promise I will let you know
OK thanks!
We slid something on each side and top and nothing is blocking it. We have taken a crowbar from behind and are able to move it a little but not out. The unit is completely bent up but still in the wall
The original installers obviously did somthing "above and beyond" the manufactures prescribed method of installation. I just wish it was obvious what it was they did! Eric M. Bright41007.6252104514
Hey Eric I don't want to accept yet in case I have to ask a ?. I am trying to hire someone to come to my house. We have tried everything wecould and it is still hanging just very bent up. Someone I use for handyman type repairs is supposed to come Friday I will keep you posted
Well... I don't think I have really helped you so I wouldn't suppose i expect you to accept my answer. If however, you wanted to do that because I did try real hard, I would certainly not object. Let me know how it goes.
You certainly gave it a huge try and your time is certainly worth $15.00 I am also sure you want to know what was holding it from coming out
Yes this one puzzles me to no end. LOL we only get 50% of the payment we share the other 50% with the company. We do get 75% of any bonus offered though.
Whether you click on accept or not, we can still carry on our dialog indefinitely as long as you do not click on "Close Question".
Please do let me know how it finally comes out.
Experience: I've been been doing things for my clients that others have said cant be done for over a 1/4 Century
They got the microwave out and installed the new one. The instructions and removal info was stuck inside the top of the microwave. There was a screw through the botXXXXX XXXXXp of the microwave hiddenThanks for your help
You are very welcome!