How to Replace 318255101 Oven Bake Element on Frigidaire Electric Range — Step-by-Step

Your oven's stuck at 200 degrees when you've set it to 350. You're staring at half-baked bread that's been in there for forty minutes. The bake element — that glowing coil at the bottom of your oven — has burned out. It happens to thousands of Frigidaire, Electrolux, and Kenmore ranges every year, and if you've got models like the FEB24S2ABA or FEB24S5ABC, you're dealing with the 318255101 element. Good news: replacing it yourself takes about 20 minutes and requires exactly two tools.

What You Need Before Starting

• ¼-inch nut driver or socket wrench
• Work gloves (element edges can be sharp)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Your replacement 318255101 element

Repair time: 15-20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy — perfect first DIY appliance repair

Safety First

Unplug your range completely or flip the dedicated circuit breaker. Electric ranges pull 240 volts — that's enough to kill. Don't just turn off the oven controls. The element wiring stays live until you disconnect power at the source. Let the oven cool for at least 30 minutes if you've been testing it. Bake elements retain heat longer than you'd think.

Step 1: Remove the Oven Racks and Access the Element

Pull out all your oven racks so you've got clear access to the bottom. The bake element sits flat against the oven floor, held in place by two screws at the back. You'll see it clearly once the racks are out — it's the U-shaped metal coil. If your element has visible breaks, cracks, or blistered spots, you're definitely looking at a failed part.

Step 2: Disconnect the Mounting Screws

Locate the two screws at the rear of the element where it curves upward against the back wall. Use your ¼-inch nut driver to remove these screws completely. Don't drop them into the oven cavity — they love to disappear down vents. Once the screws are out, gently pull the element forward about 3-4 inches. You'll feel some resistance from the wires behind it, but it should slide out easily.

Step 3: Disconnect the Wire Terminals

Behind the element, you'll see two wire terminals plugged onto blade connectors. These are slip-on connections — no screws involved. Grip the metal terminal (not the wire) and pull straight off. They might be snug from years of heat cycling, but they're just friction-fit. If they're really stuck, wiggle gently side to side while pulling. Note which wire goes where, though with bake elements it doesn't actually matter since they're non-polarized.

Step 4: Install Your New 318255101 Element

Push the wire terminals onto your new element's blade connectors until they're fully seated. You should feel them click into place. Now guide the element back into position, lining up the screw holes with the mounting brackets. The element needs to sit flat and even — if it's twisted or crooked, the mounting holes won't align. Thread both screws in by hand first to make sure you've got proper alignment, then tighten them securely with your nut driver.

Step 5: Test the Element

Replace your oven racks, restore power, and set your oven to 350°F on bake mode. Within two minutes, the new element should start glowing red from the center outward. It'll glow brightest in the middle sections. Let it run for 5-10 minutes to burn off any manufacturing oils — you might smell a slight odor or see a tiny bit of smoke. That's normal for the first heat cycle. Check your oven thermometer after 15 minutes. If you're hitting temperature, you're done.

Testing After Installation

Run a full preheat cycle to 400°F and verify the element glows evenly across its entire length. Dark spots or sections that don't glow indicate a defective new element or poor terminal connections. Check that your oven actually reaches and maintains set temperature — use an oven thermometer if your control panel doesn't display actual temp. Bake something simple like a pan of biscuits to confirm even heating across the oven floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this 318255101 element fit my Kenmore oven?

Yes, if your Kenmore model uses the original Frigidaire part numbers 5303016246 or AP3695770. Kenmore rebranded many Frigidaire-manufactured ranges, particularly models from the early 2000s to mid-2010s. Check your oven's existing element for these numbers, or match your model number against the compatibility list. This element works across Frigidaire, Electrolux, Gibson, Tappan, and compatible Kenmore models.

Why did my bake element burn out?

Bake elements fail from repeated thermal expansion and contraction — they heat to 500°F+ then cool completely, thousands of times over their life. The metal coil eventually develops microscopic cracks that grow until the element breaks completely. Heavy self-clean cycle use accelerates failure because those cycles run 200-300 degrees hotter than normal baking. Typical lifespan is 5-10 years depending on how often you cook.

Can I replace just half of a broken element?

No. The bake element is a sealed unit with continuous wire coil inside. If it's broken or burned through anywhere, you need complete replacement. Even if 80% of the element still glows, that break interrupts the electrical path and the element won't heat properly. There's no way to splice or repair the internal coil. The 318255101 is your complete replacement part.