Whirlpool, Maytag & Jenn-Air Upper Bake Element Parts — Models & Compatibility

Your oven's upper element stopped glowing during bake mode, and now everything's taking twice as long to cook — or worse, nothing's heating at all. This replacement upper bake element (74004105) works across Whirlpool, Maytag, Jenn-Air, and Kenmore electric ranges, making it one of the most universal heating elements you can buy. If you've got a model from the MER6700 or MER6800 series, or a Whirlpool GGE350 series range, you're likely looking at this exact part.

Is This the Right Part for Your Model?

Before ordering, grab your model number from inside the oven door frame or along the front edge when you open it. It'll start with letters like MER, GGE, or a Kenmore 790 series number. This element fits a wide range of 30-inch electric ranges manufactured between 2005-2015, particularly Maytag and Whirlpool models with dual bake elements. The element measures approximately 16 inches wide and has four mounting tabs on the back plate. If your old element has a similar rectangular shape with side-mounting brackets, you're on the right track.

About This Replacement Part

The 74004105 upper bake element is the workhorse heating component in your oven's baking system, typically rated at 3000-3400 watts. It's positioned at the top of the oven cavity and works in tandem with the lower element to maintain even baking temperatures. This OEM-compatible replacement uses the same high-temperature alloy construction as the original factory part, with ceramic insulated terminals that handle the electrical connection. The element heats to around 500°F during normal baking cycles and glows bright orange-red when functioning properly. Most failures happen because of thermal cycling stress — thousands of heating and cooling cycles eventually cause the internal coil to develop a break, which means no heat and no glow. You'll need to disconnect the two wire terminals on the back (they slide off with a gentle tug) and remove four screws to swap it out.

Compatible Models

This upper bake element works with the following range models. Find your model number and verify compatibility:

• GGE350LWB00 (Whirlpool) — 1 part
• GGE350LWQ00 (Whirlpool) — 1 part
• GGE350LWS00 (Whirlpool) — 1 part
• MER6770AAB (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6770AAW (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6770ACB (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6770ACQ (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875AAQ (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875AAW (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875ACB (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875ACW (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875BAB (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875BAF (Maytag) — 1 part
• MER6875BAS (Maytag) — 1 part

Cross-Reference Numbers

This part replaces several manufacturer and aftermarket part numbers. If you're cross-referencing your old element or a previous order, it's the same as AP4096820, W10314702, PS2082040, and 7406P427-60. Whirlpool, Maytag, and Jenn-Air all used this same element design across multiple product lines, which is why you'll see it listed under different brand names.

Installation Overview

Replacing an upper bake element is one of the more straightforward oven repairs you can tackle yourself. Turn off the breaker to your range — not just the controls, kill the power at the panel. Let the oven cool completely if you've been using it. Open the door and remove the oven racks to give yourself working room. You'll see two screws on each side holding the element bracket to the rear wall of the oven. Remove those four screws, then gently pull the element forward about 3-4 inches. Behind it, you'll find two wire terminals pushed onto the element's prongs. Pull those off (they might be tight — wiggle gently), then remove the old element. Reverse the process with your new element: slide the wire terminals on first, push the element back into position, and reinstall the four mounting screws. Restore power and test by setting the oven to bake at 350°F — the element should start glowing within 90 seconds.

Why This Part Fails

Upper bake elements fail for a simple reason: metal fatigue. Every time you preheat your oven, that element expands from heat. When it cools, it contracts. After several years and thousands of cycles, the internal heating coil develops microscopic cracks that eventually break the circuit. When that happens, electricity can't flow through, so the element won't heat. You'll know it's failed when you turn on bake mode and the element stays dark — no glow, no heat. Sometimes you'll see a visible break or blister in the element coil itself. Other times it looks perfectly fine but simply doesn't work. Either way, there's no fixing it — replacement is your only option.