How to Install an Oven Regulator

The knob that controls your oven is a part of the regulator assembly.

When most people refer to an oven or stove regulator, they’re talking about the controls that change the heat inside the unit. When a regulator is bad, either the oven won’t heat at all or it doesn't respond when you try to set a certain temperature. Installing a new one is simple procedure that most homeowners can perform in less than 20 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Replacement regulator part

Instructions

1. Disconnect the oven from its power source by unplugging the range or turning off the breaker switch.

2. Access the control panel wiring; its location can vary depending on the model of the unit. Refer to your service manual if you have trouble locating yours because some are on the back panel while others are under the main cook top.

3. Remove the knob by pulling it off. Remove the screws you’ve exposed by removing the knob.

4. Remove the regulator switch from its seating, leaving the wiring connected to it, and put it aside. Screw the new regulator switch into place.

5. Using pliers, disconnect each wire from each connector in the old regulator and connect it to the identical connector in the new switch, including the one to the oven probe. Replace the screws to attach the new switch to the unit. Slide the knob back into place. Replace the main top if you removed it to access the assembly.

Tips & Warnings

• You can order a replacement oven thermostat from any parts supplier that has the correct part for your model oven. However, the best place to start is the original equipment manufacturer, because that is the most trustworthy source. It can either sell you the part from its own warehouse or direct you to a recommended parts dealer in your area.

• If your oven is a built-in, you have to remove it from its installation hole to access the control panel of the unit.

• If your old regulator switch and your new regulator switch look identical, it’s easy to see where the wiring goes. Sometimes a manufacturer may change the appearance of a switch in a replacement part, though. If this happens, the instructions that come with the part tell you where to put each wire. If you don’t have those instructions, check your service manual or contact the original equipment manufacturer for guidance.

• If your oven has a warranty on it, only an authorized repair technician can perform a thermostat replacement without voiding the warranty. If you have a warranty on your oven, read the terms carefully to understand whether you can perform this replacement yourself. If not, contact the warranty company to find an authorized technician near you.

References

• YouTube: Cooker, Oven & Hob Switches & Regulators How They Work
• YouTube: How to Replace & Fit a Cooker, Hob & Oven Regulator