Stove not Working

Name: Dennis

City: Fenton

Inquery Type: Appliance repair question

Comments: Hello Joe

I have a 4 year old whirlpool electric stove. The only thing that works on this unit, is the controls, and the clock.  None of the burners or the oven do not work.  The breaker is not tripped.  I have an electrical  tester, but, the wall plug has 4  openings, 3 flat, and 1 round.   I am not familiar with this type of plug.  The ones I am familiar with only have 3.  How do I use my tester to verify the 220 power?

Any other suggestions, please.

thank you

Dennis

Hi Dennis, 

thanks for your note. The electronics such as the clock etc. only need 110 volts to operate. The burners,elements etc. need 220 volts. It looks like there is a problem with voltage in the range. Go to your local hardware store and have them show you how to check the 4 prong box. That way I know you are going to kill yourself. If the box proves 220 volts, unplug the range and check the terminal junction block on the back of the stove where the cord connects. Check for burnt or loose terminals. Please let me know how it goes. 

Regards Joe Gagnon. 

Rain rolls off a clean windshield

Name: Ted 

City: ypsilanti

Inquery Type: General question

Comments: hey joe, i heard you this morning talking about cleaning the windshield wipers with some sort of alcohol and cleaning the windshield with a certain kind of soap. i was driving and it was hard to hear from your phone at the show that you were, so could you tell again the name of the alcohol and soap? was that info in your column? where do i go on the internet to read your columns?

HI Ted, 

thanks for your note. Here it is--Clean the windshield using warm water and a bar of BonAmi soap, Wipe the blades clean using DeNatured alcohol on a clean cloth. Keep cleaning until there are no more black streaks on the cloth. Apply RainX to the windshield. You now have a windshield where the rain just bounces off. Let me know what you think. 

Regards Joe Gagnon. 

Cold water is Warm

Name: Stephen Hobart

City: Lewisburg, Pa

Inquery Type: Appliance repair question

Comments: My home is seven years old, two story, all electric with geo thermal.  Recently I have been getting instant hot water out of all water faucets; even the cold water faucets are warm until I run them to clear the line.  I replaced the single handle water valves in the showers as well as the one in the kitchen.  All others are double handle.  I am wondering if perhaps the thermostat in the hot water heater might be acting up.  Any thoughts as to why I would be getting instant very hot water with warm water from the cold water tap.  Thank you for any information you might provide.

Hi Stephen, 

thanks for your note. I am not even close to being qualified as any kind of a plumbing expert but let me explain something that might help. We also get hot water in our taps like you do, especially when the temperature is cold. Our water pipes run along the basement ceiling very close to the air ducts which contain warm air from our forced air furnace. The more the furnace runs, the hotter the water is when we first run the water. This does not happen when it gets warmer. Hope this helps.

Regards Joe Gagnon.