Spark Ignition Problem
#1
09-21-02, 08:32 PM
starter problem, gas stovetop
Our home has a Kitchen aid gas stovetop...I assume it is about 4 years old (model number kgct30588L0). We do not have the owner's manual. Often times when one burner is on and ignited, the three that are off, continuously "click"....no smell of gas evident from the 3 "off" burners. Tonight, while cleaning the stovetop, with no burners ignited (obviously), three of the starters began "clicking", for no apparent reason. What is going on?
#2
09-22-02, 05:03 AM
Admin Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: The Shake and Bake State USA
Posts: 9,927
Upvotes: 0
Received 7 Upvotes
on
6 Posts
Several Possibilities
Hello rjhwilcox. Welcome to my Gas Appliances forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
There could be several possibilites for the problem you described. Below is the most common of possible problem areas.
Starting with the simple possibilities, test the electirc switches located on the gas valves for continuity. There should not be any when the valves are off.
Be sure to unplug the stove prior to testing. it's possible one of the switches is closed completing the circuit.
Sparkers do go bad, so it could also be a defective one. Each sparker has a wire that pulls off the sparker element body. You can disconnect one at a time and test to see if the sparking stops.
If the sparking continues, then reconnect that one and disconnect another. Continuing with each sparker one at a time until you locate the one that may be causing the problem. The one that stops the sparking is the culprit.
The sparking modual may be defective. In this case, you can remove it and have it tested. If it tests bad, replace it.
If ALL the sparkers are sparking, the most likely cause is a defective capacitor in the spark modual. Spark moduals are not repairable. The entire part must be replaced. Replacements are available at the local appliance retail parts store listed in the phone book.
Another possibility is moisture during the cleaning process found it's way onto one or more of the switches. Excessively wet sponges or cleaning cloths allow water to get onto the switches, which will cause this problem, if applicable.
If this happens to be the case, then remove everything on the stove top and lift the lid, if applicable, since not all stoves have liftable top lids.
Remove any clear plastic covers on the valve stems, if applicable and pass warm air over the switches using a common hair blow dryer. The idea here is to dry out the moisture, if there is any. Don't laugh....this hair dryer trick often works!...
Another cause could be reversed electrical polarity. The plug end will have 3 prongs. It must be directly connected into a properly wired and grounded wall recepticle. Reversed electrical polarity over a long duration of time will destroy the spark module.
DO NOT use 2 prong extension cords to lenghten the existing appliances electrical wire. DO NOT bypass the grounding pin on the end of the appliances electrical cord. Doing either of these will also damage the spark module.
If you attempt to do any repairs, be sure the electrical power is turned off or the stove is unplugged. If you choose not to do the repairs yourself, contact the dealer's local service agency. Until then...unplug the appliance and light the burners with a match.
TIP:
The only positive proof any part like a spark modual is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential culprit, and have the local appliance parts store person run the required tests and or help make the final determination which part or parts are defective.
Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes and solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, fuel type conversions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
An excellent source for orginal replacement parts is your local retail appliance parts store. Appliance parts dealers test and carry replacement parts for all appliances.
Parts dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Retail parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers if you stop in at the store.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart........"Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Proficient"......
TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises.
Energy Conservation Consulting Services & Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician Services.
There could be several possibilites for the problem you described. Below is the most common of possible problem areas.
Starting with the simple possibilities, test the electirc switches located on the gas valves for continuity. There should not be any when the valves are off.
Be sure to unplug the stove prior to testing. it's possible one of the switches is closed completing the circuit.
Sparkers do go bad, so it could also be a defective one. Each sparker has a wire that pulls off the sparker element body. You can disconnect one at a time and test to see if the sparking stops.
If the sparking continues, then reconnect that one and disconnect another. Continuing with each sparker one at a time until you locate the one that may be causing the problem. The one that stops the sparking is the culprit.
The sparking modual may be defective. In this case, you can remove it and have it tested. If it tests bad, replace it.
If ALL the sparkers are sparking, the most likely cause is a defective capacitor in the spark modual. Spark moduals are not repairable. The entire part must be replaced. Replacements are available at the local appliance retail parts store listed in the phone book.
Another possibility is moisture during the cleaning process found it's way onto one or more of the switches. Excessively wet sponges or cleaning cloths allow water to get onto the switches, which will cause this problem, if applicable.
If this happens to be the case, then remove everything on the stove top and lift the lid, if applicable, since not all stoves have liftable top lids.
Remove any clear plastic covers on the valve stems, if applicable and pass warm air over the switches using a common hair blow dryer. The idea here is to dry out the moisture, if there is any. Don't laugh....this hair dryer trick often works!...
Another cause could be reversed electrical polarity. The plug end will have 3 prongs. It must be directly connected into a properly wired and grounded wall recepticle. Reversed electrical polarity over a long duration of time will destroy the spark module.
DO NOT use 2 prong extension cords to lenghten the existing appliances electrical wire. DO NOT bypass the grounding pin on the end of the appliances electrical cord. Doing either of these will also damage the spark module.
If you attempt to do any repairs, be sure the electrical power is turned off or the stove is unplugged. If you choose not to do the repairs yourself, contact the dealer's local service agency. Until then...unplug the appliance and light the burners with a match.
TIP:
The only positive proof any part like a spark modual is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential culprit, and have the local appliance parts store person run the required tests and or help make the final determination which part or parts are defective.
Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes and solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, fuel type conversions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
An excellent source for orginal replacement parts is your local retail appliance parts store. Appliance parts dealers test and carry replacement parts for all appliances.
Parts dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Retail parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers if you stop in at the store.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart........"Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Proficient"......
TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises.
Energy Conservation Consulting Services & Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician Services.
