This DIY Oven Repair Saved Me $800 (And You Can Do It Too)

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My family bakes something At least five days a week, so when our 16-year-old oven started taking longer and longer to pre-heat, I wanted to take care of it right away. At first I started shopping around for a new gas stove, but didn’t like the idea of ​​spending at least $800 for the appliance and then dealing with the hassle of delivery.

So I started to see what could be causing the trouble. After spending less than 30 minutes researching the symptoms and working through the troubleshooting process, I discovered that the gas oven ignitor was likely bad. The replacement part cost less than $20 and I repaired the oven myself. Now my oven works.

Here’s how I replaced the ignitor on my gas oven.

Troubleshoot the problem.

I why our The oven will not heat up properlySo I had to rule out electrical and gas supply issues first. The stove burners were working but the oven was not, so the gas supply was fine. The clock was working, so I knew the power was working. That left Igniter as the prime suspect. When I turned on the oven, the igniter lit but it took a long time to light the burner.

How does a gas oven igniter work?

Gas ovens work on the principle of safety – gas does not flow until the gas valve is triggered to open by a properly functioning igniter. Most gas stoves are equipped with a “glow bar” igniter that uses electricity to heat a silicon carbide element, making the gas white hot to ignite it. The igniter also acts as a gas safety switch. An electric current must be drawn strong enough to open the gas valve.

How do you test a suspected faulty gas oven igniter?

I went ahead and Ordered a new gas oven ignitor part After troubleshooting, however, it is possible to test the igniter to confirm that is the problem. First, remove the part and visually inspect it for cracks, fissures, or white, powdery, or burnt residue, usually on the gray element. You will need one Digital multimeter To test it for continuity and amp draw. A good igniter should produce a resistance reading between 0 and 1,100 ohms and draw between 3.0 and 3.4 amps. Anything else indicates a failed part.

Should you replace it yourself or hire a professional?

This is a DIY-friendly repair. I had to move the stove away from the wall to unplug it. Turn off the gasand connect the wires. If you fear gas appliances because of the potential risk of leaks or explosions, don’t worry. Repairing a faulty ignitor is primarily an electrical job. You shall not disconnect the gas line or tamper with the mains supply.

How do I replace my gas oven ignitor?

It only took 30 minutes, a basic set of tools and an accessory. Here are the steps:

1. First, I unplugged the stove and turned off the gas before removing the oven racks, oven bottom plate, and heat deflector.
2. Next, I positioned the igniter on the burner tube, unscrewed the bolts holding it in place, and unplugged its wiring harness.
3. Then I screwed in the new igniter and connected its wiring harness in place of the old one.
4. To test it, I plugged in the stove, turned on the gas and turned on the oven. The burner ignites in about 30 seconds. Everything worked fine, so I Put the oven back together.

How do you find the right gas oven ignitor part?

If your The oven will not heat up But the burner works and the electrical-powered clock works, don’t panic and don’t waste your money. Find your stove model number and find ignitor replacement parts online. For the price of a fast food lunch for two and a half hours of your time, you can fix it yourself.

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