Problem 1: Oven won't light
1 of 2
Photo 1: Remove the burner
Remove the old
igniter from the
burner. Unscrew the
burner if necessary.
Cut or unplug the
wires.
2 of 2
Photo 2: Install the new igniter
Reconnect the
wires and attach
the new igniter to the
burner. Reinstall the
burner and push the
wire connectors and
excess wire down into
the compartment
below the oven.
First check to be sure the oven is
plugged in and getting power
and that the gas valve is open. If
you have an older oven with a mechanical
instead of a digital timer, check to
make sure you haven’t bumped it off
the manual setting. If your oven still
won’t light, you probably need a new
igniter. Even if you see the igniter glowing,
it can be faulty.
Replace the igniter
We removed the burner for easier
access to the igniter (Photo 1), but on
some ovens this isn’t necessary. To
replace the igniter, remove the screws
that secure it to the burner. Then
remove the wires. Some igniters simply
unplug. Others, like ours, require you
to cut and strip the wires and reconnect
the new igniter using the special
ceramic wire connectors included with
the igniter (Photo 2). Remove 1/2 in. of
insulation from the wires with a wire stripping
tool. Then reconnect the new
igniter by aligning the ends of the
stripped wires and twisting on the
ceramic wire connectors. Reassemble
the igniter and burner in the reverse
order.
CAUTION: Unplug
the oven before
starting this repair.
Problem 2: Burners won't light
1 of 2
Photo 3: Clean the burner holes
Clean the igniter
and burner holes
if the burner won't
light. Brush the igniter
with a stiff toothbrush
to remove
gunk. Clean out the
burner holes with a
needle.
2 of 2
Photo 4: Replace the control module
Replace the
igniter control
module if none of
the igniters spark.
Transfer the wires
one at a time to the
new module so
you don't get them
mixed up.
If a burner on your gas range doesn’t
light, it’s likely that you can fix the
problem with one of the solutions
we show here. We’re showing repairs
to a range with an electronic ignition
system and sealed burners (if your
range clicks when the burner lights, it
has an electronic ignition). For repair
information on ranges with pilot lights
and ranges with open burners, type “gas
range repair” in the search box on this site.
Before you undertake more-complex
repairs, check for simple solutions. Be
sure the gas range is plugged in and getting
power. The oven light should
come on when you open the door. Also
check that the gas valve is open—it
may have been turned off by accident.
Clean the igniter
and burner holes
Start by cleaning the spark igniter
(Photo 3). The igniter is the white ceramic
nub that’s located near the base of
the burner. Your range may look different
from the one shown here. On this
range we lifted off the burner to access
the igniter. Clogged burner holes can
also prevent the burner from lighting.
Use a needle to clear the tiny hole or
holes in the burner (near the igniter).
If your burner still won’t light after
you’ve cleaned the burner holes and
igniter, there are three parts that could
be faulty: the igniter, the igniter switch
or the igniter control module. Of these,
the most likely cause is a bad igniter
control module. Occasionally an igniter
switch will go bad. An igniter is
rarely to blame. Photo 4 shows you how
to replace the igniter module. Search
for “gas range repair” on this site for information
on replacing an igniter switch.
Test the igniter
control module
Darken the room and turn each burner
to “Light” for three seconds and then
off again. If you don’t see sparks,
replace the igniter control module
(Photo 4). First unplug the range. Then
locate the control module to replace it
(Photo 4). In most cases, you’ll have to
pull the range away from the wall to
access the module, which is usually
located behind a removable metal
cover on the back of the range or under
a small metal box below the control
panel.
CAUTION: Always
unplug your range
before working on it.
