Broken oven function selector switch, troubleshooting, wiring and how to replace

Selector Swithes spare parts

Oven selector switches that can be referred to as function switches or commutator switches they are the small switch that sits behind the control knob of your oven and switch between the various functions of your oven. the function switch is the component that allows you to switch between various functions - such as the grill, fan heating, etc.

A selector switch should never be switched when the power is on the thermostat as this will wear the it out quickly.
It is a primary component for your cooker and therefore it's vitally important that you replace it as soon as it begins to become faulty or when it became sticky.

We have a terrific selection of Oven Selector Switches and videos to help you but because they come in a whole variety of shapes and sizes, we strongly recommend that you check that the selector you wish to purchase is compatible with your oven. You can do this by selecting the manufacturer and model number of your appliance or use the number on the selector into the search box. You will then be provided with a list of spare parts that are compatible with your appliance. Or email us for help

If you're unsure how to fit your oven selector switch, please follow this video guide.

How to fit an oven selector switch

Safety notice: unplug your cooker or oven before beginning any work.

If your cooker is built-in, you'll need to remove it from it's cavity. To do this, remove the 2 or 4 screws that are holding it to the cabinet. These are situated on the front of your oven behind the door. You can then lift out the oven, and disconnect the power from the back of your cooker.
Next, you'll need to remove the top panel of your cooker. See video for more help.
Next, remove the control knob attached to the selector switch this can be pulled off easily.
Now that you can access the selector switch, you can begin to remove it.
Now it's time to remove the complicated wiring. Before you do anything, we strongly recommend you take a photos of the the switch with the wires attached, so you can re-wire it in the correct way.

Other type of faults (see our videos below)

The oven will not turn on

The first thing you need to check is that the oven timer is not on auto if it is turn it on to manual.

No Heat in Oven

If the fan is running and the thermostat light comes on but you get no heat (or just the thermostat light on in non-fan ovens and cookers) then the probability is that the fan element or oven elements have failed. Find repair guides

The oven is totally dead

First things first, check the electricity supply and make sure it is okay. Find repair guides

The oven overheats and burns everything

Normally this is a simple thermostat failure which would manifest itself as this symptom. Find repair guides

The oven door isn't closing properly

Normally this will be faulty hinges or the hinge runners. Find repair guides

The oven door fell off!

Normally this will be faulty hinges or the hinge runners. Find repair guides

The oven or cooker cuts out after it's been on for a while

This is an overheating problem which can be caused by the main oven thermostat or a faulty safety thermostat that will be causing the problem. It can also be caused by a failure of the cooling fan, where fitted, but usually these go noisy before failing, Safety thermostats are used to prevent the oven or cooker overheating and will shut the oven down. Find repair guides

The oven or cooker is noisy

The fan motor and cooling fan motor are the most obvious causes where fitted. Find repair guides

Fan runs after I switch the oven off?

This is a cool down period and can vary massively from appliance to appliance but if it stays running then you normally have thermostat fault or sensor fault. See video above

The light inside the oven is faulty

Normally this is simply a case of replacing the bulb. Find repair guides

The grill element in my oven or cooker doesn't work

This would usually indicate that the grill element is faulty. Check these Grill element Oven changeover switch Overheat thermostat Main oven thermostat, if used to regulate the grill temperature. Find repair guides

There's smoke from the oven.

Invariably spillage except on a new installation or when a new element is fitted or oven may be overheating. Find repair guides

The oven does not come on, But Hob works but I can't get the oven to come on.

The timer has been activated, possibly when the controls were cleaned. There are so many types of timers used that it would not be possible to go through every one, but if you have the instruction booklet, that will tell you how to turn it off. Normally it is just a case of pressing a button or turning a control knob. Find repair guides

Electricity trips (Rcd) when I turn the oven on or element

This is normally an element that has gone to earth, Well known fault with electric ovens, the insulation breaks down in the elements and trips the RCD , best way is to stick a meter on each element and check they not got earth leaks on them. But can also be a wiring fault. Find repair guides