How to Change Thermal Protection in a KitchenAid Oven

Turn off the breaker or remove the fuse that powers the oven circuit.

Remove the Phillips-head screws from the trim panels on the sides of the oven. There is one screw along the bottom edge of each panel. Pull out on the bottom of each trim panel. Slide the panels down, and pull them away from the oven to remove them.

Open the oven door. Look at the hinge assemblies holding the door, there is a hole in the side of each hinge. Slide an Allen wrench, hinge pin, or other metal object into the holes in each of the hinge assemblies. The wrench or pin will keep the door from closing the whole way, allowing you to unhook the hinges from the oven. Close the door until the pins rest against the front of the oven opening. Pull up on the door, then pull it straight out to remove it from the oven.

Remove the Phillips-head mounting screws from each side of the oven. The screws are located on the edges of the oven face, just below the control panel.

Slide the oven out of its mounting location to access the rear panel. Remove the 11 Phillips-head screws that hold the rear cover on the oven.

Pull the two wires off the thermal fuse terminals. The thermal fuse is a round component, about the size of a quarter, located near the top of the oven. Remove the two Phillips-head mounting screws holding the thermal fuse to the oven. Pull the fuse out of the mounting hole.

Place a new thermal fuse into the mounting hole. Insert and tighten the two Phillips-head screws to secure it in place. Slide the two wires onto the terminals on the fuse.

Position the cover on the back of the oven so that the mounting holes line up. Insert the 11 screws into the holes and tighten them with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

Slide the oven into its mounting location. Insert the mounting screws into the edges of the oven face, and tighten them securely. Slide the tops of the trim panels into position on the sides of the oven. Press the bottoms of the panels against the oven, and align the mounting holes. Insert and tighten the screws.

Insert the hinge assemblies into the slots on the sides of the oven opening. Slide the hinges into the slots until the pins are against the oven. Push down on the door to seat the hinges. Open the door, and remove the pins from the hinges. Close the door.

Turn on the power to the oven.