Each time you go to your gas stove and turn the knob, you expect it to fire up without any issues. Unfortunately, sometimes, there are malfunctions that prevent the range burner from sparking and igniting. Here, you will learn what could be causing the problem to help you get one step closer to making the repairs.
Inspect the Connecting Wires
Before you begin replacing any parts, inspect the connecting wires to ensure that a loose wire connection is not the source of your problem.
Turn each burner on to the ignite position and note which burner does not fire up. Those are the burners that you will examine for defects.
Remove the burner grates and open the stove-top from the front edge. Prop it open using the rod built into the stove, or use a board or pole to hold it open as you examine the connections.
Inspect the wires that connect the ignitor and the small control module located around the front of the burner. Tighten any connections that appear to be loose or detached. Test the ignitor once more to see if this was the problem.
If this didn't fix the problem, you will need to replace one, or a combination of the other elements that cause the spark for ignition. The parts that could be causing the problem include:
- Spark Ignition Switch. Each burner is equipped with an individual spark ignition switch. If you have one burner that doesn't spark when you attempt to light it, but the others spark, chances are you need to replace the spark ignition switch.
Note: Some models of gas stoves require the replacement of the spark ignition switch as well as the harness. This part comes in one piece, so replacement requires you to change out both elements. - Spark Electrode. A spark electrode is a small device positioned directly beside the burner. When you turn the burner knob to the ignite position, this device acts much like a spark plug and emits a small spark that ignites the gas flowing through the burner. Over time, this electrode can become damaged or worn, which prevents the spark from passing from the electrode to the burner. This causes the failure to ignite.
- Spark Module. The spark module is what provides electrical charge to the burner to cause the ignition of the gas flowing through the burner. When the spark module stops working properly, the spark could become too weak to ignite the flame, or it may not spark rapidly enough to properly ignite.
Talk with your local appliance repair technician today. Alternatively, you could purchase stove parts at a business like K & D Factory Service Inc and do the repairs yourself.
