Kitchen Gas Appliances - Do I Need a Flame Switch for Oven?

I have a gas stove with the usual combination oven/broiler - the same burner for both.

Recently, I cannot light it. A Sears repairman told me that it needs a "flame switch" but that the stove was so old that he could not get the replacement part.

Do I really need this part? Would it be possible to bypass it? In the old days, you just turned on the gas and it lit.

Hello: cfrankfeldt. Welcome to the Do It Yourself Web Site and my Gas Appliances topic.

The flame switch safety device can be purchased at any local appliance parts store. Best of my knowledge, this type of safety device is still available.

A flame switch uses electrical current to keep a set of contact points closed. So be sure there is no electrical power to the stove before attempting to remove the device.

It will have two tiny screws securing the safety device to the wall of the oven. Remove the screws and pull out the half dollar sized round shinny device. Behind it will be two wires to remove.

Take the device to any local appliance parts store with the brand name, make and model numbers. The part should be esay to obtain. Reinstall the new part exactly as the original now is currently installed.

Not safe to bypass any safety device. Should the source of ignition, (pilot flame) ever go out for any reason while the device is bypassed, burner gas is likely to fill the baking compartment and an explosion will occur.

Kindly use the reply button to add any additional information or ask additional questions.

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I presume you mean the brand name, make and model number of the stove (if I can find them). Is make different from brand name?

I'm wondering, if it is so easy to get, why the Sears man could not get it. He said the stove was too old.

I appreciate your suggestion, which I think is correct in general. But I wondered if you noticed the above in my original question.

I guess I could just get the information and call a couple of stores.

Hello: C Frank

Why the Sears person or Sears does not replace or want to replace flame switches is beyond me. May be a personal thing with that rep or a Sears policy, etc. Does not matter to me but does to you. Here is what needs to be done.

The part is available. At least in my part of the country. It is often called a fluid safety or a flame switch. The pilot heats the fluid in the element attached to the safety device. The heated & expanded fluid pushs the internal contacts, keeping them closed so current can flow.

If the contacts burnout, the internal contacts open which does not let gas out to the burner. If the pilot goes out, same happens. Internal contacts open and no gas flows out of the gas valve. If the pilot flame is not keeping the element hot enough, the internal fluid is not expanded enough to keep the contacts closed, so gas cannot flow to the burner.

The important point is to be sure electrical power is turned off or plug removed from outlet before attempting any repairs. Flame switch is generic to all brands and all models that use them. Take the one you have with you to any local appliance parts store that carries them.

Clean the entire pilot assembly before installing the new flame switch. Use computer keyboard canned air cleaner to blow out dust from pilot assemble to clean it. Install new device exactly as the existing device is installed.

Thanks for all the info. I will give it a try. First I will try to find the flame switch - your description was helpful. I presume it will be safe to take the unit out. I probably will want to turn off the oven pilot light first.

It is not mysterious about the Sears guy. As I said, he could not get the part from the source(s) available to him. Surely if he could have he would have. He was nice enough not to charge me for the call.

I don't see a reason to assume some darker motive.

You say:

Flame switch is generic to all brands and all models that use them. Take the one you have with you to any local appliance parts store that carries them.

Do you mean exactly the same item on all brands and models? So do I then need the make and model??

Hi Frank

The oven brand name and model should not be of any major concern. However, brand name, model number and serial numbers should be either on the door frame or below the lower broiler plate inside the oven, etc. Look around, it's there somewhere on a plate label or sticky tape label.

Best as I recall, all flame switches are the same. All operate the same. The pilot flame heats an element which contains fluid which expands and keep the internal contacts in the switch closed.

Blow out the pilot flame and allow the pilot assembly to cool. Not to worry. the tiny amount of gas comming out will not cause any problems. Be sure electrical power is turned off first.

Once pilot assembly is cool, remove the safety devices element from the pilot assembly. Than remove the safety device from the ovens back wall. Take safety device to appliance store and obtain a new part. Install it just as the existing one is currently installed. Relight pilot and plug oven into wall electrical outlet.

Presto. Job done. It's that easy.

Just wanted to say thanks and tell you the latest. I got the model number and called Sears parts, thinking that they would have access to more different parts than some local store, whcih I would first have to find in the yellow pages anyway.

They were clear that the part depends on the model (as I think is true of most appliances - it would be a strange coincidence if all makes and models had identical parts - even if they do the same thing).

They called the manufacturer to research it. After a few days they got back to me as promised saying the part was available and the company was sure it was the right one. (If not, I could return it anyway.) I ordered it and should have it soon.

With your encouragement and directions, which I have saved offline, I will probably try to install it myself.

Why the original guy couldn't get it - probably he did not talk to the right people or go far enough as I evidently did. The proof will be if it is in fact the right item.

So far have not had any luck getting the switch because my stove is so old. The part is certainly not the same for every stove - that would be unlikely, anyway.

Weanwhile, I looked into the oven. I gather that the flame switch has to be heated by the pilot light. The pilot light in my oven stands away from the wall a couple of inches and is part of the whole burner mechanism. I am not quite sure what part to remove. Would it help if I could (can I?) send a picture of the mechanism?

Many of the websites show you pictures of the device. I can't seem to get a part number for the switch itself, unless maybe I remove it. When I call parts places they seem to be able to search by stove model number.

Thanks for all so far

Hi: Hi Frank

Unplug the power cord of the appliance from the wall recepticule or turn off the breakers main switch in the electic power box or remove the fuse, etc. Whatever and however it is possible to be sure not electrical power is in the appliance or going to it.

The flame switch is the round half dollar sized chrome cap secured to the oven wall using two tiny screws. Remove screws and carefully pull out the safety device. Remove the two electrical wires connected to it. Look for marking or stampings on the back side of it. May have part number there.

Removal of it's element from the burner pilot assembly should be easy to see how it is attached and easy to remove without removing the entire burner assembly. However, removing the entire burner assembly with the safety devices element still attached may be needed and or can been done.

With the entire burner with safety element still attached to burner but out of the oven, makes it easier to remove element or take entire assembly to any local appliance parts store as an assembly. Part can than be better seen, identified, purchased and installed back onto burner assembly, with burner removed from oven, etc.

Parts stores know the part well. Should not need part number, stove brand or model numbers etc. if part is there with you. All this does not seem to be that involved for any parts counter person to deal with. Do it and see.

I cannot invision why parts store would have any such problems getting the part, if we are truely discussing a standardized flame switch and not some other such part.