KitchenAid Gas Range Burners Not Igniting in Manhattan Beach

Several of the cooktop burners on this home's gas range would not light.

On a gas cooktop with electronic ignition, each surface burner has its own spark igniter: a small electrode set in a ceramic insulator beside the burner base. Turning a knob to Lite sends rapid high-voltage pulses from the spark module to the igniters, which is the clicking you hear. Each spark jumps from the igniter tip to the burner and lights the gas coming out of the burner ports. If the spark is missing or too weak, the gas flows but the burner doesn't light.

Two of the surface burners weren't sparking at all. A third burner did spark, but only weakly, and it would not ignite the gas.

Those are two different symptoms. In general, when a single burner has no spark, the cause is usually somewhere in that burner's ignition path: the igniter, the wire that feeds it, or dirt or moisture that lets the current short out before it reaches the tip. A weak spark means voltage is reaching the igniter, but not with enough strength, or not in the right place, to light the gas. That is often linked to residue, moisture or a worn igniter.

We cleaned the range and burners and replaced two of the surface burner spark igniters. That work resolved the ignition problem.

On a repair like this, cleaning is more than a finishing touch. Spills, grease and cleaner residue tend to collect around burner bases and igniters, where they can weaken the spark or partly block the ports that feed the flame.

If a burner on your own range clicks but won't light, turn the knob off and let the gas clear, then check that the burner cap is seated flat and that the burner and igniter are completely dry. If it still won't light, or a burner doesn't spark at all, it's time to have a technician check the ignition system.