Kitchen Gas Appliances - GE Monogram cooktop igniter keeps sparking

Hi All,
My 2 years old monogram igniter keeps sparking once you turn on one of the burner. You can see sparking on all the burners. I tried all the burners at the same time and the sparking would not stop.
Does anybody what is wrong?

Thanks,

Brian

Hello Brian. Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic and the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.

There could be any one of several possibilites for the problem you described. Below is the most common of possible problem areas. Starting with the simple possibilities, test the electric switches located on the gas valves for continuity. There should not be any continuity when the valves are off. It's possible one of the switches is closed completing the circuit.

CAUTIONARY NOTE:
Be sure to unplug the stove from the electrical power prior to testing.

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.

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. Blow 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!...:D

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.

Retail parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances. Appliance parts dealers test and stock replacement parts for all appliances.

If you need further assistance, use the reply button to add any additional information or ask additional questions. Doing so will automatically move your question to the top of the forum list.

Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice. TCB4U2B2B Business Management Serivces. Web Site Host, Forums Monitor, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

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Thank you for taking time and reply to me in such detail. I was very excited after I received you advice. I printed it out and I was sure that I can fix the problem!
Once I studied the cook top more very carefully, I realized that there is not much access to the control part of the cooktop. I could remove the plastic nubs and see the wires, but from the holes I could not access anything.
I looked at the bottum part of the cook up and there was nothing there that could suggest to be opened up to access the wires and the electronic control.
Now I do not know what to do! I believe that there should be some way to open it up, but I can not see it.
Do you still have any suggestion?
If not, do you guys offer any contractor in zip 94539?

Thanks,

Brian

Hello: Brian

May or may not have a contractor in your area for appliances. But worth checking. Or use the phone book to find service agents in your area.

If you would like to disassemble the stove top yourself, line and open area of the counter top with terry cloths towels. Remove all loose parts from the appliance. Than remove the entire stove top from within the counter.

Invert it onto the towels carefully. The means to remove the top will be along the outer edges of the frame or through the sides of the metal frame. Once metal frame cabinet is free, carefully lift it off the glass top.

Once access is gained, use a continuity test or ohm meter to determine that each top burner knob switch is an open circuit until the switch is activated. Any switch found closed when it should not be, when in the off position, you found the culprit. Or at least one of them. Could be others, test them all.

All found okay. Test wires for continuity. Look for shorted, burnt and or grounded wires, connections, terminals, etc. None found. Suspect the sparking module as a possible problem. Takes time to diagnose the problem and determine the cause.

All else fails and unable to determine a cuase, contact the local appliance service agent(s) in your area.