Downdraft Ventilation System: Why won't my downdraft vent lower down?
Lack of electrical power, problems with the up/down activation switch or a failed vent gear motor can prevent the downdraft vent from going down when you press the up/down button.
Follow these downdraft vent troubleshooting steps to find and correct the cause of the problem when the vent won't go down:
Turn on the fan to see if the downdraft vent has power. If the fan doesn't run, check the house circuit breaker. If the breaker tripped, reset it and see if the vent will go up. If the vent doesn't go up, check the electrical outlet to make sure it has power. Plug a small lamp or appliance into the outlet. If the outlet isn't working, have an electrician repair the electrical outlet.
If the fan runs, then you may need to adjust the position of the up/down activation switch. To check the up/down activation switch position, unplug the downdraft vent and remove the switch cover from the right end of the vent. Check the position of the up/down activation switch plunger. If the plunger isn't touching the bottom of the vent's button membrane, loosen the up/down activation switch mounting screws and move the switch up until the vent's button membrane barely touches the plunger. Replace the switch cover and restore electrical power to the downdraft vent.
If the up/down activation switch position is okay, disconnect power to the downdraft blower and check for continuity through the up/down activation switch using a multimeter. If you measure no continuity through the up/down activation switch when you press the button to lower the vent, replace the up/down activation switch.
If the up/down activation switch works and the vent gear motor doesn't run when activated, replace the vent gear motor.
These basic downdraft vent troubleshooting steps work for most Kenmore, Broan, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Electrolux, GE and Whirlpool vent systems.
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR DOWNDRAFT VENTILATION SYSTEM PROBLEM
Replace the downdraft vent gear motor
The gear motor raises and lowers the pop- up vent. If the gear motor hums and will not raise or lower the pop-up vent, check the mechanism for binding. If the pop-up vent is not jammed or binding, replace the gear motor.
Downdraft vent gear motor
How to replace a downdraft vent gear motor
If your cooktop's downdraft vent won't raise or lower, the gear motor might be to blame. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace a downdraft vent gear motor in 15 minutes.
Replace the downdraft up/down switch
If the pop-up vent will not raise or lower when the up/down button pad is pressed, the up/down switch may need to be adjusted. If the up/down switch is positioned properly and the button pad is pressing the up/down switch properly, replace the up/down switch.
Downdraft up/down switch
How to replace a downdraft vent up/down switch
When a downdraft vent won't pop up or retract, the up/down switch could be the problem. This step-by-step repair guide and video show how to replace a downdraft vent up/down switch in just 15 minutes or less.
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