Newbie needs help repairing this old toaster oven. PLEASE!

[Ricochet]

Hello. I am so basic when it comes to electrical diagnostics, so I’m looking for some help to fix this toaster oven that we have had for 20+ years. I was going to throw it away, because I thought it would be too much hassle to actually join a forum and look for help, but my mom encouraged me to try. I will include a picture of what I believe the problem is.

A component melted in this area, I removed the leftover stinky debris with my fingernail.

Can u tell me what component failed? What it’s purpose is? I want to replace it so we can bring it back to life.

Thankyou in advance!

 

[Diver300]

The device in parallel is an 1N540x

The "x" could be any number from 1 - 8 and it says what the voltage is. You could use a 1N5406 which is rated to 600 V. There is little difference in the price for the different voltage ratings. https://www.vishay.com/docs/88516/1n5400.pdf

I think that there were two diodes in parallel. The diodes are used to stop half of the mains cycle getting to the heating element to give low power. If the oven works on full power but not on half/low, that would confirm what I suspect.

Putting two diodes in parallel can lead to one taking all the current and getting too hot. I suggest that you change both diodes. Make sure that they are the same way round.

The element looks bent and that could have shorted and caused the diodes to burn out. If the oven doesn't work on full power you will need a new element, and that might cost nearly as much as new oven.