Comments on: Appliance Repair Revelation: Troubleshooting Gas Stove Burner Ignition Problems http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/ Your appliance repair weapon of mass instruction for all your appliance repair needs! Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:20:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: JC http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-995 JC Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:29:05 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-995 Dear Master Samurai, One of our Whirlpool cooktop burners has been out for a while (this one wouldn't 'click' at all; all other 3 work fine). So, delighted I came across your site, with the best troubleshooting instructions I've ever seen, I finally decided to take a look "under the hood". It turns out that any burner knob I turn makes all 4 burners spark, except for the bad one (gas flow is ok and I can start it manually with a match). So now know I have a bad switch, which I'll have to replace. In the mean time, during my troubleshooting I created another problem... To begin with, I pulled the cooktop out of the counter & unplugged the power but did not disconnect any of the gas piping (didn't want to go that far into it). Nevertheless, I was trying to lift the top cover to look under. And each of the 4 burners is help-up, pressed up, against the top by means of 3 small screws under the spil-guard (ring cover around each burner). But as I tried to remove the screws for one of them, all 3 screws sheered-off! (the 1st did, right off; wd40 on the other 2 didn't help at all). Needless to say I stoped any attempt from removing screws from any of the other burners. But now I had a "sunk" burner, about leveled with the top cover itself and help in place just by the gas pipes under. I was able lift the cover up (with all burners attached) just enough to look under & do a temporary fix for the sunk burner, with a small, rolled-up, section of stainless steel chimney mounting strap, from http://www.crutchfield.com/S-9eCWOzv8qFM/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=15920&tab=detailed_info&i=209TV32#Tab http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html (the straps hold the whole thing around the chimney). I bent in about 1/2'' of its end back into the roll (like spinning in the opposite direction), and then I stood the roll directly under the burner (right next to where the gas pipe plugs in). So it has a snug fit and kind of "springs" up (becaused of the bend-in segment) against the burner. I know I'll probably end up installing a new cooktop all together, just a matter of when I get some $$ in my pocket. But for now, is the fix I made safe? I mean, I know mechanically the roll sits well and it isn't going anywhere, holding the burner in place real good. But does the burner heat-up on the underside? Will the small roll heat up under the burner? Thanks for sharing your wisdom! JC Dear Master Samurai,

One of our Whirlpool cooktop burners has been out for a while (this one wouldn’t ‘click’ at all; all other 3 work fine). So, delighted I came across your site, with the best troubleshooting instructions I’ve ever seen, I finally decided to take a look “under the hood”. It turns out that any burner knob I turn makes all 4 burners spark, except for the bad one (gas flow is ok and I can start it manually with a match). So now know I have a bad switch, which I’ll have to replace.
In the mean time, during my troubleshooting I created another problem…
To begin with, I pulled the cooktop out of the counter & unplugged the power but did not disconnect any of the gas piping (didn’t want to go that far into it). Nevertheless, I was trying to lift the top cover to look under. And each of the 4 burners is help-up, pressed up, against the top by means of 3 small screws under the spil-guard (ring cover around each burner). But as I tried to remove the screws for one of them, all 3 screws sheered-off! (the 1st did, right off; wd40 on the other 2 didn’t help at all). Needless to say I stoped any attempt from removing screws from any of the other burners.
But now I had a “sunk” burner, about leveled with the top cover itself and help in place just by the gas pipes under.

I was able lift the cover up (with all burners attached) just enough to look under & do a temporary fix for the sunk burner, with a small, rolled-up, section of stainless steel chimney mounting strap, from http://www.crutchfield.com/S-9eCWOzv8qFM/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=15920&tab=detailed_info&i=209TV32#Tab
http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html (the straps hold the whole thing around the chimney).

I bent in about 1/2” of its end back into the roll (like spinning in the opposite direction), and then I stood the roll directly under the burner (right next to where the gas pipe plugs in). So it has a snug fit and kind of “springs” up (becaused of the bend-in segment) against the burner.

I know I’ll probably end up installing a new cooktop all together, just a matter of when I get some $$ in my pocket. But for now, is the fix I made safe? I mean, I know mechanically the roll sits well and it isn’t going anywhere, holding the burner in place real good. But does the burner heat-up on the underside? Will the small roll heat up under the burner?

Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
JC

]]> By: bschineller http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-347 bschineller Wed, 23 Nov 2005 04:16:55 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-347 Hello Samurai, Several years ago you talked me through the disassembly and thawing out of my frozen ice maker. You truly are the master! Thanks again! Now I come to you 2 days before Thanksgiving seeking instruction on how to correct my Miele KM342 gas cooktop spark ignition from loudly clicking incessantly even after the burners light. The clicking usually stops after 30 seconds or so, but then kicks back in. And the burners often shut themselves off. On the two wok burners, I always see a strong white spark. Carefully wiping down and re-seating the burner pieces generally but not always seems to help the burner stay lit, but even when lit, never has the clicking gone on for less than 15 seconds. Spark rate is about 2 per second. It's done this since day one when I moved in, but reading your postings I now know it's solvable. Can I enlist your help again talking me straight to the solution for this model? Bill Hello Samurai,
Several years ago you talked me through the disassembly and thawing out of my frozen ice maker. You truly are the master! Thanks again! Now I come to you 2 days before Thanksgiving seeking instruction on how to correct my Miele KM342 gas cooktop spark ignition from loudly clicking incessantly even after the burners light. The clicking usually stops after 30 seconds or so, but then kicks back in. And the burners often shut themselves off. On the two wok burners, I always see a strong white spark. Carefully wiping down and re-seating the burner pieces generally but not always seems to help the burner stay lit, but even when lit, never has the clicking gone on for less than 15 seconds. Spark rate is about 2 per second. It’s done this since day one when I moved in, but reading your postings I now know it’s solvable. Can I enlist your help again talking me straight to the solution for this model?
Bill

]]> By: Kate http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Kate Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-93 I have almost reached the mountaintop, Master, but there is one more obstacle in my path. In regards to burner ignition, what if the burner lights, but the igniter stays on? The burner can be turned up and down, and all the while the igniter clicks on ...and on...and...you get the idea. <br /><br />What are your thoughts? I have almost reached the mountaintop, Master, but there is one more obstacle in my path. In regards to burner ignition, what if the burner lights, but the igniter stays on? The burner can be turned up and down, and all the while the igniter clicks on …and on…and…you get the idea.

What are your thoughts?

]]> By: Samurai Appliance Repair Man http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-94 Samurai Appliance Repair Man Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-94 Ah, Grasshopper, you have raised a good case not covered in my repair revelation. Do the burners spark continuously no matter which burner is turned on? If so, replace the spark module. Does the continuous sparking occur only when one particular burner is turned on? If so, then that burner switch is bad. You can purchase the appropriate part(s) <A HREF="http://www.blogger.com/r?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.repairclinic.com%2Freferral.asp%3FR%3D154%26P%3D69">here</A>. Ah, Grasshopper, you have raised a good case not covered in my repair revelation. Do the burners spark continuously no matter which burner is turned on? If so, replace the spark module. Does the continuous sparking occur only when one particular burner is turned on? If so, then that burner switch is bad. You can purchase the appropriate part(s) here.

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-95 What is a particular burner base and cap pair do not work, if I use a different set on the same site it lights up. I tries cleaning that base and cap but it still does not light up. WHat could be wrong with it? What is a particular burner base and cap pair do not work, if I use a different set on the same site it lights up. I tries cleaning that base and cap but it still does not light up. WHat could be wrong with it?

]]> By: Samurai Appliance Repair Man http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Samurai Appliance Repair Man Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-96 Burners are designed to work with specific valves to regulate the gas flow and provide an ideal flame. If you install a different burner only, you have changed the design of the range, sometimes with dangerous results, as in the case where a flame becomes yellow and produces soot and carbon monoxide, a silent killer. In a sense, you got lucky: you don't get any flame at all. <BR/><BR/>To correct this problem, <A HREF="http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=154&P=55" REL="nofollow">buy and install the OEM burner designed and manufacturered for your range</A>. <BR/><BR/>And another tip: screwing around with gas appliances when you don't know what you're doing is a great way to get yourself killed. Burners are designed to work with specific valves to regulate the gas flow and provide an ideal flame. If you install a different burner only, you have changed the design of the range, sometimes with dangerous results, as in the case where a flame becomes yellow and produces soot and carbon monoxide, a silent killer. In a sense, you got lucky: you don’t get any flame at all.

To correct this problem, buy and install the OEM burner designed and manufacturered for your range.

And another tip: screwing around with gas appliances when you don’t know what you’re doing is a great way to get yourself killed.

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-97 My burner ignites fine. But the flame goes out as soon as I let go of the igniter button. What can I do? My burner ignites fine. But the flame goes out as soon as I let go of the igniter button. What can I do?

]]> By: phil http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-98 phil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-98 My burner won't ignite in the morning. After I light it with a match once, it's OK the rest of the day. Polarity is correct. I looked at the spark. It's blue, but slow compared to a new range I put in my apartment. This cooktop has never sparked more than twice per second. It's 10 years old. My burner won’t ignite in the morning. After I light it with a match once, it’s OK the rest of the day. Polarity is correct. I looked at the spark. It’s blue, but slow compared to a new range I put in my apartment. This cooktop has never sparked more than twice per second. It’s 10 years old.

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-99 When I turn on my front burner, I hear clicking and I see my rear burner ignitor spark. My front burner works fine using a match. When I turn on my front burner, I hear clicking and I see my rear burner ignitor spark. My front burner works fine using a match.

]]> By: Trent http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-100 Trent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-100 Gas burner doesn't spark, yet it causes the burner behind it to spark instead?!?<BR/><BR/>It will ignite with a match. Gas burner doesn’t spark, yet it causes the burner behind it to spark instead?!?

It will ignite with a match.

]]> By: Samurai Appliance Repair Man http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Samurai Appliance Repair Man Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-101 Look at the wiring diagram above. You'll see that the spark module has a single output point labelled, "2." When any one of the burner switches are closed, the spark module switches are closed, the module sends a spark to all the electrodes. If one of the electrodes isn't sparking, it's usually a cracked or gooked up electrode or a worn ignition wire. Look at the wiring diagram above. You’ll see that the spark module has a single output point labelled, “2.” When any one of the burner switches are closed, the spark module switches are closed, the module sends a spark to all the electrodes. If one of the electrodes isn’t sparking, it’s usually a cracked or gooked up electrode or a worn ignition wire.

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-102 When I light my burner, it only lights on half of the way around. How can I get the burner back to full function? When I light my burner, it only lights on half of the way around. How can I get the burner back to full function?

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-103 Hi - I have a jenn-air 5 burner gas stovetop - tonight, I boiled some water, but after turning off the burner, the igniter starts sparking and will not stop unless I turn the gas back on - any advice?<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/><BR/>Bob<BR/>rpress@hotmail.com Hi – I have a jenn-air 5 burner gas stovetop – tonight, I boiled some water, but after turning off the burner, the igniter starts sparking and will not stop unless I turn the gas back on – any advice?

Thanks

Bob
rpress@hotmail.com

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-104 My range top burners will not ignite IF the oven is on. They do ignite consistently if the oven is off. I can light them manually with a match when teh oven is on. What would cause this? My range top burners will not ignite IF the oven is on. They do ignite consistently if the oven is off. I can light them manually with a match when teh oven is on. What would cause this?

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-105 Master--help!!<BR/>My landlord switched us from propane to natural gas and now our old Jenn-air can barely boil water- over an hour for pasta water- lanlord says its a funky stove- a plumber friend says drill out the orifices--but to what size??<BR/><BR/>what to do<BR/>signed<BR/><BR/>tired of simmered food Master–help!!
My landlord switched us from propane to natural gas and now our old Jenn-air can barely boil water- over an hour for pasta water- lanlord says its a funky stove- a plumber friend says drill out the orifices–but to what size??

what to do
signed

tired of simmered food

]]> By: Anonymous http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-106 similar to kate my little 18" peerless premier gas range just starting clicking when i woke up this morning the only thing i can do to stop it is to unplug it but it just clicks away while flame is on. i think this has happened before but then it was caused by the burner to ignition parts being out of alignement or the burner being wet...would this be the spark module as well...? thank you...<BR/>tired of crickets similar to kate my little 18″ peerless premier gas range just starting clicking when i woke up this morning the only thing i can do to stop it is to unplug it but it just clicks away while flame is on. i think this has happened before but then it was caused by the burner to ignition parts being out of alignement or the burner being wet…would this be the spark module as well…? thank you…
tired of crickets

]]> By: Samurai Appliance Repair Man http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Samurai Appliance Repair Man Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-107 Simmered: you're going to end up OWNING your all your landlord's property after you sue him for endangering your life by running an improperly adjusted gas range. <BR/><BR/>As for the other comments, it's hard to to direct replies when everyone is named "Anonymous." Simmered: you’re going to end up OWNING your all your landlord’s property after you sue him for endangering your life by running an improperly adjusted gas range.

As for the other comments, it’s hard to to direct replies when everyone is named “Anonymous.”

]]> By: Jorge Torres http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Jorge Torres Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-108 Master, I am just a humble servant with a cricket problem that does not stop and goes on and on day and night.<BR/><BR/>My rice cooks fine, water for tea boils, chocolate molten cakes come out of the oven perfect.<BR/><BR/>Oh, Master, is it the spark module ($60), is it the igniter ($20), or is it my conscience hearing noises where they don't exist?<BR/><BR/>Please illuminate my path and guide my soul to a proper gas cooktop repair, otherwise my wife will turn me into a cockroach!!<BR/><BR/><BR/>Your humble servant,<BR/><BR/><BR/>Beetle Bee Master, I am just a humble servant with a cricket problem that does not stop and goes on and on day and night.

My rice cooks fine, water for tea boils, chocolate molten cakes come out of the oven perfect.

Oh, Master, is it the spark module ($60), is it the igniter ($20), or is it my conscience hearing noises where they don’t exist?

Please illuminate my path and guide my soul to a proper gas cooktop repair, otherwise my wife will turn me into a cockroach!!

Your humble servant,

Beetle Bee

]]> By: jack-san http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-109 jack-san Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-109 We have a GE gas cooktop. After somebody cleaned the cooktop or attempted to, the circuit breaker tripped. If we reset it, there is a muted poof noise at the cooktop and the circuit breaker trips again instantly.<BR/> <BR/>What is short circuiting? The knobs were off so should we feel 90% confident that the switch harness is now ruined and needs to be replaced? How difficult is that for a handy person? <BR/><BR/>Need your guidance and wisdom ... thanks. We have a GE gas cooktop. After somebody cleaned the cooktop or attempted to, the circuit breaker tripped. If we reset it, there is a muted poof noise at the cooktop and the circuit breaker trips again instantly.

What is short circuiting? The knobs were off so should we feel 90% confident that the switch harness is now ruined and needs to be replaced? How difficult is that for a handy person?

Need your guidance and wisdom … thanks.

]]> By: Samurai Appliance Repair Man http://fixitnow.com/wp/2004/09/17/appliance-repair-revelation-troubleshooting-gas-stove-burner-ignition-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Samurai Appliance Repair Man Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://fixitnow.com/wp/?p=619#comment-110 Can't troubleshoot this one through the keyboard. You're gonna need to do some surgery and go in to find where the bare wire is touching the chassis. Eyeballs and fingernails, that's what this one is all about. If you need more detailed help, post this in the repair forum:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.applianceguru.com" REL="nofollow">www.applianceguru.com</A>.<BR/><BR/>Samurai Can’t troubleshoot this one through the keyboard. You’re gonna need to do some surgery and go in to find where the bare wire is touching the chassis. Eyeballs and fingernails, that’s what this one is all about. If you need more detailed help, post this in the repair forum:

http://www.applianceguru.com.

Samurai

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