How to Fix a Percolating Coffeemaker

Drip coffeemakers tend to have problems with hot water not flowing from the drip tube, keeping brewed coffee warm, and sputtering or leaking. Coffeemakers run with pump valves and a motor. Here is how to fix a percolating coffeemaker.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Volt-ohm meter

1. Unplug your coffeemaker and remove the carafe and filter basket. Unscrew the baseplate and gently pry it away from the housing with a screwdriver.

2. Disconnect one switch lead and test it with a volt-ohm meter. Set your volt-ohm meter on the RX1 scale. Turn on the switch to your coffeemaker and touch the volt-ohm meter probes to both leads. If you get a reading of zero ohms, your switch is operating fine.

3. Touch the volt-ohm meter to two leads on your lighted brewing switch to make sure that switch is operating properly. Your lighted brewing switch likely has three or four leads. If you get a reading of zero ohms, that means the switch is fine.

4. Test the thermostat on your coffee maker by removing one lead on the thermostat and setting your volt-ohm meter on RX1. Touch your probes to both terminals on the thermometer. If you get a reading of zero ohms, your thermostat is OK. If you get any other kind of reading, replace the thermostat.

5. Check out the heating unit on your coffeemaker by disconnecting one of the element leads on the heating unit. Touch the probes on your volt-ohm meter to the element terminal. This terminal should read 100-300 ohms. If it doesn't, you will have to remove the heating assembly with a screwdriver and replace it.

6. Check the cord and outlet providing power to your coffeemaker to make sure that all appears in good working order.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your coffeemaker frequently to keep it from having problems.
• Don't ever try to clean a coffeemaker by immersing it in water.