probably nobody will care, but I’m sad at the passing of my microwave. It was born in July of 1983, and died march 24th, 2026. I had bought it used in 1992 and it faithfully served me and my family for many years until today, when the keypad decided to partially quit working. Rest in peace Zappy, you will be missed.
I’m looking for a new keypad but unsurprisingly the parts for this ancient thing are no longer in stock so I doubt I’ll be able to resurrect it without some sort of miracle. I know it’s just an appliance but it still makes me sad to see it go.
It seems to be the membrane switch (keypad). Still a perfectly good microwave if I can end up finding the right parts. I’m going to try and fix the membrane and see what happens from there, maybe I’ll get lucky and be able to salvage it.
The membrane buttons on my also Panasonic bread machine are dying after ten years. No more up, but at least it will cycle around through menus, so down button will suffice. I feel your pain and fear that soon too I will be in the same situation.
If you are able to fix the membrane switches please share!
I will be sure to update when I can. I’m hoping I’ll have time this weekend to mess with it but I still have to install hand rails for my neighbor and some other stuff, so we’ll see.
I’ve decided either way I’m not going to get rid of this thing just yet, even if I have to pick up another microwave in the meantime while I try to get it running again.
Really glad to hear that, invested at this point. Often just a good clean/little graphite will sort those membrane keys out, it’s just a graphite pad on a little rubber dome that bridges contacts on a pcb when you push it down
e: even if it’s goofy and hard to get apart, just swishing it in iso and letting it dry has a decent chance of working