Kitchen Gas Appliances - Thermador Ignitor Problem

I have a Thermador GG30 gas cooktop. When I light one burner all of the other burners ignitors start clicking. They will continue to click for 5-10 minutes. I have cleaned them several times. They are not wet either. Do they need to be replaced? The constant clicking is very annoying. I would appreciate any help.

Hello dwolffmom and Welcome to the Do It Yourself Web Site and to the Gas Appliances topic.

The clicking will stop when enough heat from a flame is created. The burner flame must impinge the electrode. Meaning come into direct contact with the burner flame.

Some spark electrodes bend easily. Which means they may not be in the exact position where the burner flames can contact them. Only the tip of the burner flame needs to contact the spark electrode.

Usually the setting is straight up or if the electrode is angled to face the burner head, the distance setting between tip of electrode and burner head only needs to be about 1/8th inch from the burner head.

Hope this helps.

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It is the ignitors on the unlit burners that are sparking. Are you telling me that when enough heat from a flame is created on the lit burner the clicking will stop on the unlit burners?

Hello: dwolffmom

Yes. The burner with the flames may or may not be sparking or the spark is not visible on the lit burner. However, when a sparker is heated correctly, the electrical resistance changes.

The change in electrical resistance value is what causes the spark module to turn off. Applies to only sparker's that automatically turn off. Those that are not auto off types, continuous clicking usually a cause of a defective spark module.

However, the same as above may apply to auto off sparker's, if the spark module is defective. Meaning it cannot sense electrical resistance changes.

Which means, the spark module could be the direct cause for the exact problem you described. Either possible cause can then apply. A tech would then diagnose the symptom and/or measure the rated resistance value of that specific spark module and repair as needed.

Can sound or seem complicated for a do it yourself person but not to an appliance repair tech. Suggestion might be to remove and replace spark module if all else seems correct.

Be sure to unplug appliance or turn off electrical power to appliance first, then turn on a top burner valve to discharge the module before attempting to remove module.

About all the possible causes and solutions there might be based upon problem description.

Retail parts dealers and appliances parts stores can also help determine what the possible problem may be based upon that specific brand and model. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Dealers and appliances parts stores are listed in the phone book and stock original (OEM) replacement parts.

Regards and Good Luck.
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"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."

Thanks for your help. I truly appreciate it.