Downdraft Ventilation System: Why won't my downdraft vent rise up?
Lack of electrical power, problems with the up/down activation switch or a failed vent gear motor can prevent the downdraft vent from going up when you press the up/down button.
First, check for electrical power going to the downdraft blower. Check the house circuit breaker; if it tripped, reset the breaker and see if the vent will go up. If not, 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 outlet's okay, then you may need to adjust the position of the up/down activation switch. To check the switch position, unplug the downdraft vent, lift the vent and tilt it slightly so it stays in the raised position. 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 button membrane barely touches the up/down activation switch plunger. Replace the switch cover and restore electrical power to the downdraft vent.
If the up/down activation switch position is okay, check the up/down button pad for damage. Replace the up/down button pad if it's not activating the up/down activation switch plunger when you press the button pad.
If the up/down button pad is okay and the up/down activation switch is positioned properly, 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 raise the vent, replace the activation switch because it's not allowing current to flow to the vent gear motor when you press the up/down button pad.
If the up/down activation switch works and the vent gear motor doesn't run when activated, replace the vent gear motor.
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR DOWNDRAFT VENTILATION SYSTEM PROBLEM
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.
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 button pad
The up/down button pad covers and seals the top of the up/down switch. The up/down button pad makes contact with the up/down switch when pushed to raise or lower the pop-up vent. If the up/down pad is worn or damaged, replace the up/down button pad.
Downdraft up/down button pad
How to replace a downdraft vent up/down button pad
If your downdraft vent won't move when you press the up/down button, the button pad could be worn out. This repair guide and video show how to replace a downdraft vent up/down button pad in just 5 steps.
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