My Sharp Carousel R-1850 stopped working as if there is no power to it. Does anyone know if this is worth fixing or if I should just buy a new one? Is there somewhere I can troubleshoot the problem?

Tish, May 2007

I realize that this microwave is so old that all existing models may be in a landfill or hopefully recycled by now but since mine just died after 21 years there may be a few left and since these posts helped me I thought I'd return the favor and add a little more info. I ordered my slow-blow fuses from Amazon be sure they are the slow-blow type. Here's what I ordered...
Microwave Fuse Ceramic Fuse Cartridge Fuse 20 Amp 250V Slow-Blow Compatible and Universal Replacement for GE WB27X10388 and Whirlpool Kenmore Other Microwaves

They came in a pack of 5. I tested them using a nine-volt battery and a multimeter to make sure all would pass current and they were all fine. I also tested the one in the microwave and it did not pass current so I verified that it was blown.

UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE BEFORE DOING ANYTHING! BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A CAPACITOR SOMEWHERE THAT MAY STILL HOLD RESIDUAL POWER AND THAT MAY HARM YOU IF YOU TOUCH IT.
When removing the touch control panel on my microwave it helped to push the panel upward , once the single screw at the top was removed, so to slide the tabs out of the slots they were sitting in. My fuse holder did have a red and black wire and was located on the left side of the space behind the control panel. It was snapped into a white plastic holding bracket. Once I removed the fuse holder from the bracket I did not disconnect any wires, I just popped the fuse out of the holder and replaced it. my new fuse was white and about 1/16 of an inch smaller than the original one but still easily made contact with the metal clips in the holder.

I could not snap the fuse holder back into the white plastic bracket and really wanted to see if that new fuse fixed the problem so I used a twist tie to secure it to the bracket as a temporary solution to see if the microwave was fixed. When I plugged the microwave back in everything lit up and I reset the clock. When I tried to heat a cup of water for one minute the new fuse blew. So I replaced it with another one first marking the old one with a permanent pen so as not to get them mixed up.

I tried heating the cup again for one second and the fuse didn't blow, 2 seconds and it still didn't blow but at 3 seconds the machine vibrated and the house lights dimmed and the fuse blew.

I will recycle my microwave/convection oven at the local transfer station. I bought another brand, Toshiba, that was purchased by at least 4K other people with pretty good reviews. We use the convection mode quite a bit so it should get a good test before it's out of warranty.

Good luck with your troubleshooting

Cletus, December 2021

Changing the fuse worked perfectly! Thank you so much for this post. Nice, easy and cheap repair!

Jenny, April 2013

the turntable is not moving and it wont heat up,the clock and light both work. would that be the fuse?

chuck dennen, January 2013

Replacing the fuse in a Sharp R-1850, is not difficult, but does require patience! First -- unplug the unit from the wall socket!. Then take off the vent panel, which is above the door. Be patient!! Now think about de-greasing before you go any further. I did, and was I happy!! All of the “gunk” came off and I had a clean touch pad and surrounding areas to work in. Be sure the door is open. Take off the screw with is holding the touch pad to the unit. Easy,… don’t be too quick. There are tabs located around that sucker which are easy to destroy! Slowly jockey the touch pad around until all of those tabs are clear of the frame. I found the fuse and fuse holder to be against the back of the cooking unit. You will need a light, a helper to hold the touch pad away from the frame,.. then snake your hands into the unit. The fuse holder has red wire at the bottom and a black wire at the top. All you can see are the two clips (top & bottom) of the of the fuse holder. Take it slow in learning how to pop that holder off of the white place frame. When it was off, I use a flat blade screw driver to slowly pry off the top fuse contact. The bottom followed. Home Depot has replacements, 2 for $2.95! ABC0- 20 (20 amps) microwave fuse!. Take it slow in installing the fuse holder, and touch pad. Be sure those lower tabs are seated properly before you replace the top screw. Be patient, take things slowly,… and “SHAZAM” your R-1850 is as good as new! HMH

GunOff688, November 2012

the fuse is inside the cover of the controls. one screw on top is all you need to open. the fuse is in the back of the housing. it's a tube fuse metal at the ends and white in the middle. Bought the fuse (abc-20) at home depot for $3, put it in and it worked.

Ish, January 2011

J.C. - Whoever you are, thank you very much. I can not tell you how many people (supposed experts) I have asked about a fuse. They all told me there was not one. Well, I found it, thanks to you. I haven't bought the new one yet so I don't know if this is my problem yet, but at least I have a lead. Thanks again!

Mark, April 2010

Sharp R-1850/R-1851/R1852 appears to have blown a fuse. The carosel, light and panel function. I heard a loud pop and the microwave will not heat up any more. I would like know where the fuse is and where I can purchase one.

J.C., January 2009

Mine too. I fixed it myself. If you remove the cover over the controls (pull plug first) there is a white plastic fuse holder facing the back (you can't see the fuse). Ther is a red wire entering one end and a red the other end. Pop the white fuse holder free and remove the black fuse - It is a slow blow fuse model ABC-20. I got it at Home Depot. It says "for microwave ovens" on the package,

Mark, November 2007

Mine, too, as of last night. No power, no clock display, & I can't locate manual. Guess I'll try toll-free # after holiday.

Jim, May 2007