How to Replace the Bake Element on a Whirlpool WFG515S0JS Oven & Range — Step-by-Step Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for the Whirlpool WFG515S0JS (gas range, 5.0 cu ft, sealed burners). Parts and access points can differ slightly by production year — the steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
FLIP THE BREAKER, not just the controls — oven elements run on 240V and the terminals stay live with the oven "off." Confirm dead with a non-contact tester if you have one.
Tools
- Nut driver or screwdriver
- Flashlight
- Phone camera
Parts
- Bake element matched to your model number
Step by step
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1 Kill the power at the breaker
Ranges plug in behind the unit (unplug it) or hard-wire to a double breaker (flip it). Verify the display is dead before touching anything.
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2 Inspect the old element
Remove the racks and look at the bottom element: blisters, breaks, or a burn spot confirm the diagnosis on sight.
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3 Unscrew and pull forward
Two screws hold the element bracket to the back wall. Remove them and gently pull the element toward you — the two wire terminals follow it out a few inches.
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4 Transfer the wires one at a time
Photograph first. Pull each spade connector off with pliers (grip the connector, not the wire) and seat it on the same terminal of the new element. Don’t let the wires retreat into the wall hole — clip a clothespin on them if needed.
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5 Mount and test
Screw the bracket back, restore power, and set a 350°F bake: the new element should glow evenly within minutes. A little smoke/odor on first heat is the factory coating burning off.
Whirlpool WFG515S0JS notes & error codes
If a new igniter fixes the problem for a few months and it returns, measure the igniter current rather than fitting another. A weakening safety valve needs more current than a healthy one and quietly eats igniters.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| F1E0 | Control board fault |
| F3E0 | Oven sensor open |
| F9E0 | Door latch fault |
| F2E1 | Runaway temperature |
Full details for this machine — common problems, causes, and costs — are in the Whirlpool WFG515S0JS repair guide. The general version of these instructions is here.
If the new element doesn’t heat, the problem is upstream — a thermal fuse, sensor, or board relay — and that diagnosis wants a multimeter and a wiring diagram. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a oven & range repair pro near you →
What this repair costs professionally
Sources
Where the safety, regulatory and warranty claims on this page come from. Repair costs are our own figures based on Arizona market rates and OEM parts pricing.
- Carbon Monoxide Safety Guide U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Carbon monoxide risk from gas cooking and heating appliances.
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