Gas igniter troubleshooting on heating equipment:

This article explains the cause, diagnosis, and cure of gas heater or gas appliance igniter problems that cause bangs, whooshes, noises, clicking, or failure to ignite properly.

Watch out: some of these conditions are dangerous. We also discuss both gas igniters and gas regulators on gas fired heating equipment and LP or Natural Gas Pressure Regulators used on building appliances such as gas fired furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and stoves.

FAQs about Gas Igniter Diagnosis & Repair on Gas Burners

This article series provides descriptions and photographs of unsafe gas piping, regulators, or controls on heating systems, indications of unsafe or improperly operating gas appliances, gas meters, and other gas installation defects.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2020-09-09 by Dave

all ignitors work off of one burner the right front only

all igniters work with one burner

On 2019-12-16 by danjoefriedman (mod) -

Chris,

That's hardly possible. If one of the other igniters on your stove will fit at the one that's not working then try swapping them to confirm that the problem is not the igniter device itself. That would mean that the problem is either you're wire or wire connections or the igniter module itself

On 2019-12-16 by Chris

My oven ignitor wires burned, I think from food dripping on them. I replaced wires and the ignitor doesn’t work, wondering if they shorted out and fried ignitor?
Thx

On 2019-02-18 by (mod) - Igniter only sparks when hot.

I would look first for a conducting wire that is with or has a bad connecting clip then if the wires are perfect or if replacing them doesn't work I suspect a bad control module. However it's cheaper to try replacing an igniter first. Since they're all Behaving the same way, that's what makes me suspect the module

On 2019-02-18 by Alex

Igniter only sparks when hot. I have to manually light stove, and then when I turn knob to light, igniters make a nice clean spark and will relight burner fine. Just won’t work when cold. Replace igniter?

On 2018-10-09 by kay

thank you there is no gas smell as long as the oven is off

On 2018-10-02 by (mod) - gas oven has been making a whooshing sound when i turn it on

Watch out: That woosh sound could be a delayed ignition of a huge bolus of unburned gas because of an ignition problem. That's very unsafe risking a fire or explosion. It could be a gas leak or it could be an igniter problem that you need a trained service person to diagnose and make a repair. At the very least, sniff around the oven, and if you smell gas you need to turn off the gas supply to the appliance entirely.

On 2018-10-02 by kay

my gas oven has been making a whooshing sound when i turn it on and it can take hours to preheat last week i noticed that after i had the over on it sounded like wind blowing inside of the oven so i turned it off and have not used it since the stove top works fine

On 2017-04-12 by (mod)

Jack,

In the Westinghouse Gas Cooker GUK511W the igniter uses a piezo-electric igniter - that is a device that converts the mechanical energy created when you push the spring-button igniter into electrical energy in the form of a spark. So there should be *no* 120VAC electrical power cord.

On 2017-04-12 by jack

i have a westinghouse gas cooker guk511w . i want to pull it out from cavity to clean . i see the flexible gas duct with enough spare length . but i dont see electrical power cord . and yet it has igniter which i assume is powered by electricity.. how is the electricity getting to the igniter?

On 2017-03-21 by (mod) - intermittent sooting of gas burner

Possibly, yes - I'm not smart enough to diagnose the gas burner by brief e-text.

My concern is that if you EVER see soot on the gas burner - as you described, the system is dangerous;

On 2017-03-21 by Andrew

I found no soot in the burner and the inside of the heat chamber is clean. Could the gas valve be letting in too much propane?

On 2017-03-18 by (mod)

Andrew

Sooting on a gas burner is an indication of very dangerous conditions, possibly fatal, as the system is likely to be producing fatal carbon monoxide.
DO NOT SLEEP in the home you describe without working CO detectors, smoke detectors, and safe accessible emergency exits.

I'm not sure but it sounds as if there is a combustion air or flame adjustment problem. As carbon monoxide is so dangerous I'd ask for help from a trained service tech.

On 2017-03-18 58 by Andrew

I have a 1992 5th wheel that I call home. The suburban furnace is no longer made and most of the parts are obsolete. Every 5 to 6 lights the ignitor will cover up with black soot. It randomly backfires when lighting. Replaced sensor/electrode and circuit board. What could be wrong?

On 2017-02-20 by (mod) - gas burners make a POOF sound every few minutes

Watch out: I would TURN OFF the GAS SUPPLY and then I (or your experrt) would look for a gas leak in the stovetop system - consider that it may be unsafe

On 2017-02-19 by Ricki F.

I want to add that the stovetop burners work fine. It is just the oven. So, if I am baking bread for a half hour, it will make the "poof" sound every couple minutes with the strong smell of propane. Then, the next day, no sounds, no smell.

Some days our propane oven makes a "poof" sound while it is on, all the while you can smell propane, but the oven is working just fine. It did not always do this.

On 2016-12-29 by kwm

We thought we had a lemon when our gas oven failed over the years to ignite reliably. Many technicians would attempt to fix the issue but over time, the problem would always return. We just got a new gas oven today, and it ignited fine--and then lost heat. Our technician speculates that the problem is with our home's wiring. What now?

On 2016-10-25 by (mod)

I'd try replacing the thermocouple, Anon

On 2016-10-2 by Anonymous

I have to tap the igniter on my gas boiler for it to come on please tell me whats the problem

On 2016-08-14 by (mod)

Pamela

In the More Reading links just above use the live link (in blue capital letters) found in this text

Continue reading at GAS COOKTOP IGNITER REPAIR where we discuss the diagnosis & repair of gas igniters on cooktops & gas ranges or select a topic from closely-related articles below, or see our complete INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES.

On 2016-08-13 by pamela lamabe

ignition on one of my gas rings will not stop clicking.

On 2016-03-26 by (mod)

Sounds unsafe - I'd call for repair as I suspect there is a gas leak. Turn off gas supply to the heater.

On 2016-03-26 by Anonymous

A loud swoosh when water heater ignites a a d black sut comes out could the causebe the pilot door don't close properly

On 2016-01-03 1 by (mod)

Malissa
I would turn OFF both the heater and the gas supply to it immediately as you are risking a fatal gas explosion.

That said, I suspect that a gas valve or igniter is not working properly, and your igniter finally lit off an accumulated volume of gas - a delayed ignition. The system sounds dangerous to me and in need of professional inspection and repair.

On 2016-01-02 by malissa

my wall heater just made a big flash of flame and a loud woosh noise then turned off rite after i had just turned on how come

On 2015-12-12 by (mod)

Dave:

Your heating service tech will check both the igniter and if present, the control module that activates the igniter.

On 2015-12-11 by dave elsby

My gas central heating back boiler not working pilot in pump working no click from egnighter

On 2015-11-08 by (mod)

Ed I suspect a problem at the gas regulator for the appliance, maybe contaminated by moisture or dirt. Be careful of gas leaks = explosion or fire.

On 2015-11-08 by Ed

Kitchen stove has a high pitched squealing noise when it calls on more gas and until it shuts off it continues to squeal. The stove lights the oven correctly. It's just the noise. Is this a partially blocked valve?

On 2015-10-15 by Joe med

Had gas pressure test done on building, now one of my commercial huebsch originator dryer with electronic ignition will not lite what is my problem

On 2015-07-28 by (mod)

Look for wet or shorted igniter wiring, a burner cap askew, a failing control module.

On 2015-07-28 by Ken Cheung

When one of the stoves (there are 4 tops)is working, it triggers the next top starts a non-stopping clicking. Please help.

On 2015-07-17 by (mod)

Jean

IF the igniter clicks and sparks but there is no ignition and if there is gas supplied, then check for an askew or wet burner cap.

Otherwise

Clean the igniter; inspect it for visible cracks or chips or damage and replace it if you find them; otherwise check the igniter wiring.

On 2015-07-13 by Jean Bodkin@telus.net

Front burner igniter not responding. I have Maytag Model MGR5770ADQ
Serial number 111386y2, June 2001. I have used a pin to unclog the hole under the igniter

and cleaned. Just the left one is affected. All others o.k. How do we correct this problem
ourselves?

On 2015-06-30 by (mod)

Could be excessive pressure, a bad pressure regulator. Start by checking for burner tops that are askew.

On 2015-06-30 by Tisha Koval

Why does one of my propane burners on my stove sound like its burbing and not consistent?

On 2015-05-18 by (mod)

Rudy I don't know but I can certainly pose some functional and safety problems including burn-up of the igniter control module and possible ignition of gas from a different burner whose igniter is not working.

On 2015-04-29 by Rudy

while the gas stove is clicking with a spark, is it dangerous to cook ?

Question: gas system does not light

(Aug 22, 2011) wilson m. said:

every year the heating system goes out the repair man comes out. the system comes on but the system do not light. I have an elecita and gas system

Reply:

Wilson from your question I'm not sure what kind of heat you have - gas or electric.

If you mean it's gas fuel (LP or natural gas) but an electric igniter, than you may have a bad igniter, igniter wiring, igniter control box or board, or a bad flame sensor that is not sensing that ignition was successful, OR a bad safety control that is shutting down the system.

You might give the service manager a call at the heating company you use, let her or him know that this has been a recurrent problem and ask that they send an experienced technician to find and fix the problem.

Question:

(Dec 30, 2011) ann said:

how can a wire in a gas stove catch fire top burner

Reply:

Ann I'm not sure I understand the question but you may be referring to a wire that carries a small voltage to an igniter that in turn makes a spark at the burner when the gas burner's valve is opened.

Question:

(Feb 14, 2014) Paul said:

If i turn on my gas stove while a burner is already on there is what i would call a small explosion inside the stove. What causes this?

Reply:

Paul:

Sounds VERY DANGEROUS _ as you probably have either a gas leak or an igniter that is so slow to ignite that a volume of explosive gas accumulates before ignition.

It's common to hear a soft "whoosh" sound when ligting a pilotless gas oven, for example, using a match or manual igniter, as enough gas has to accumulate to pass back up the ignition tube where you are holding a match.

But on an electric ignition gas burner stovetop you should not be hearing an explosion. Your appliance needs repair.

Question:

(Apr 30, 2014) Rick said:

My stove propane stove top burners light fine, but the igniters keep firing after the burner or burners are lit. What causes this?

rss

Reply:

Rick,

Often when the igniters won't stop sparking (which can drive me crazy), it's because of

- damaged, leaky wiring to the igniters

- wet wiring to the igniters - leaks into the stove top

- cracked ceramic insulators around the igniters - replace these

- crud or grease or food partly blocking or shorting the igniter sparking element or for some igniter tops, blocking it's ability to sense heat from the ignited flame

- occasionally a failed ignitor control unit

you want to take a look at the companion article

GAS COOKTOP or STOVE IGNITER REPAIR

Question: can't find the gas leak

6/14/14 Andre Matthew said:

facing a lot of problems regarding gas leakage in my stove but still can’t found the dimage place, how can i find it???? tristaterepairs

Reply:

Andre I'd like to help but this is a bit like groping for shoe laces in a dark closet. We don't know a thing about your stove or its installation.

Typically experts use gas leak detection instrument such as the TIF 8800 combustible gas detector,

see

TIF 8800 GAS DETECTOR

to check for gas leaks - this is a VERY sensitive device.

OR plumbers and installers use a simple soap solution to check pipe joints, control seams, etc.

Don't forget checking the supply piping and valves.

WATCH OUT: do not leave the stove gas supply turned ON until you've found and fixed the leak. You risk a fire or explosion.

Question: Caloric range oven made a loud POP now oven won't light

(June 21, 2014) tamnic656 said:

while cleaning my caloric range/oven ,I toughed something followed by a loud pop , now I half to light the burners and the oven wont light at all

Reply:

T.

Sounds as if an electronic control failed. I'd be worried about an electrical short and unsafe range/oven and would turn off power to the unit pending inspection and repair.

Also see POPPING SNAPPING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Question: Wolf brand gas cooktop troubleshooting

(July 30, 2014) Joe Cato said:

I have a brand new Wolf gas cooktop. It has been converted to LPG use. We are off the electricity grid and supply our own solar power. I have had problems since installation (2 months ago) with the flame failure mechanism.

The cooktop intermittently goes out and fails to reignite. I have checked the gas supply pressures and have had a technician replace the main control panel in the cooktop. We have narrowed the problem down to an electrical issue with our power source.

It makes no difference if the power is from our solar cells, batteries or from the diesel generator backup. We have tried a filter mechanism between the appliance and the power point with no success. Any suggestions?

Reply:

Joe, It's an excellent question and beyond my expertise.

Typically the igniters expect to see 120V power routed through the appliance control board. I would give Wolf a call, talk to their technicians, and if necessary (since they may not know how to answer you) get the name and contact information for the manufacturer of the igniters used in Wolf gas cooktops, then take this question to them.

I'm assuming you've already checked voltage levels.

If you are in the U.S. call Wolf Customer Service at (800) 222-7820 - there is no other information on the company's Contact page - it's as if their actual location is secret.

Question: buzzing from heater

(Sept 20, 2014) Mike said:
My heater is making loud, intermittent buzzer noises when I turn the heat on. I have radiant heat. What is wrong and how can I fix it?

Reply:

Mike,
From the question I'm doubtful you should try this repair. Better to call a trained heating service tech. S/he may find a bad transformer or relay.

(Sept 22, 2014) Mike said:
Thank you

I do intend to call a professional but this problem has plagued me for years. I've tried calling someone to fix it twice before and the technician said it might've been a bad thermalcouple so he recommended replacing it. But the buzzing continued. Is a thermalcouple the same thing as a transformer or relay? I'm hoping to canvas whether you've heard of this problem before so that at least I can feel like the tech isn't just guessing.

Reply:

NO a thermocouple is not a transformer. The thermocouple is a temperature sensor. A transformer is an electrical device that produces low voltage, typically 24V, to operate HVAC controls. - DF

Question: hissing sound from bathroom gas heater

(Sept 25, 2014) Crystal said:
Small bathroom gas heater to heat the room sounds like it is still on when turned off. Is this normal. somewhat of a hissing sound.

Reply:

Crystal

If you smell gas you should leave the building and call for emergency assistance as there could be a dangerous gas leak.

If the hissing sound is not a gas leak I'm uncertain what it might be -there could be moving parts (such as a blower fan) making noise, or something else.

TO be safe, turn off both power and gas to the heater immediately if you can do safely. Then call a heating service company for inspection and repair.

Question: furnbace makes sound like a washing machine

(Oct 29, 2014) Sharon said:
When the furnace is running it sounds like a washer is running(even from outside the house) almost like a light grinding noise, and when it stops you can hear the water settle back down. Is this normal? I don't recall having water in a gas furnace.

Reply:

No I don't think so Sharon.

I infer that you really mean a boiler (furnaces are hot air heaters); it sounds as if there is a problem with a motor, circulator pump, or air in the piping.

See HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Question: gas hob burners keep cutting out

(Nov 5, 2014) Anonymous said:
Hi I have a gas hob and two of the rear burners keep cutting out intermittently-any ideas how to fix?

Reply:

Anon the question makes me worry about a potential fatal gas poisoning or gas explosion. I'd turn off gas to the appliance until it can be inspected and repaired by a trained gas appliance service technician. That person may find dirty burner orifices, clogged gas piping, or a bad regulator or something else.

For other non- U.K. readers, a gas hob is a British term that refers to the top part of a cooker that accepts pots and pans. In older buildings the hob was a shelf projecting from the back side of a fireplace also used for cooking or for keeping food or pots and pans and dishes warm.

Question: exploding sound when gas heater ignites

(Nov 13, 2014) Anonymous said:
installed new water heater month ago. sometimes whenit ignites it sounds like small explosion.

(Dec 8, 2014) Jim M said:
Why would I have to give my boiler's gas valve a little bang for it to ignite ??

Reply:

Anon

Watch out:  what you describe sounds dangerous - as if there is too much UN-ignited gas and a delayed ignition. I would ask for help from a trained gas appliance or gas heater service tech. I suspect misaligned igniters or a gas leak when I hear this symptom.

The problem may be a gas leak or an improperly-operating control or igniter.

See GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG -

Jim

If you have to bang on the boiler's gas valve something is wrong, and maybe unsafe, and certainly not practical - I'd ask for help from a service tech.

Question: gas furnace has trouble igniting

(Nov 17, 2014) Louisa said:
I recently moved into a home that has a gas furnace. I have never owed a gas furnace and have a question. When the furnace kicks on it will kick on and off like four or five times before it starts blowing is this normal? Thanks

Reply:

No Louisa. That's not normal and it may be unsafe. I'd ask for help from a trained heating service tech.

(Jan 1, 2015) Anonymous said:

As far as the (banging) noise when the furnace lights up, this is usually normal especially for newer Honeywell control valves as they are fast opening and closing. The older ones they replace were usually slow opening/ closing ,

so as they modulated from closed to open (approx 5-6 seconds) there was really nothing to hear other than the burner slowly light up. At the end of the heating cycle, the flames would slowly diminish over 5-7 seconds.

Question: did I pay too much for replacement of an igniter on my boiler?

29 January 2015 Bob said:

Just had an igniter replaced on my boiler. Bill came with a charge of $159.00 for the part. Should I complain about this cost, since it is advertized on line for $29.69 from various suppliers?
Thank you,

Reply:

Bob

Having embarrassed myself on occasion by getting too irate too quickly, I'd suggest a calm, polite inquiry in conversation with the service manager at your heating service company. Provided that labor is being charged separately, still you'd figure that the company has to put a mark-up on the part price.

You're paying them for having the item stocked on and carried around in the truck in sufficient variety to have the particular part you needed.

On the other hand, a more than 500% mark-up sounds a bit steep. Make sure FIRST that you are checking the proper price for the part. "igniter" might refer to a small assembly or an entire gas valve and igniter assembly as a unit.

The take a look at the total service call bill break-down: parts, labor, other charges. If the labor and other charges are paying the service company fairly for the service call then you might ask them to reconsider the part price. On the other hand, some service companies tack on a minimum travel time charge while others don't. So as Mark Cramer says ... it depends.

Question: proper price for a gas igniter

(Jan 29, 2015) Bob said:
Just had an igniter replaced on my boiler. Bill came with a charge of $159.00 for the part. Should I complain about this cost, since it is advertized on line for $29.69 from various suppliers?

Reply:

Bob

Having embarrassed myself on occasion by getting too irate too quickly, I'd suggest a calm, polite inquiry in conversation with the service manager at your heating service company. Provided that labor is being charged separately, still you'd figure that the company has to put a mark-up on the part price.

You're paying them for having the item stocked on and carried around in the truck in sufficient variety to have the particular part you needed. On the other hand, a more than 500% mark-up sounds a bit steep. Take a look at the total service call bill break-down: parts, labor, other charges.

If the labor and other charges are paying the service company fairly for the service call then you might ask them to reconsider the part price. On the other hand, some service companies tack on a minimum travel time charge while others don't. So as Mark Cramer says ... it depends.

Question: Carrier gas furnace has delayed ignition

(Jan 29, 2015) Bill said:
I have a 17 year old pilotless Carrier gas furnace. Sometimes there is a delay in the system "catching fire". I see the igniter light up for 5 seconds,then goes out. After turning gas control switch on the furnace itself,off & on a few times, the system lights up after 5-10 minutes. This morning,woke up, heat off,house at 50 degrees. Anything I can do(DIY) ?

Reply:

Bill,

At the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of this article check out the article on THERMOCOUPLES - if the flame itself is strong and healthy and if there is no flue gas spillage (see SPILL SWITCH, FLUE GAS DETECTOR) then the flame sensor may have failed. If so that's usually an easy part to replace.

(Jan 29, 2015) Bill said:
Thanks Dan, I will check that out.
Bill

Question: Burnham Alpine boiler loud WHOOOSH

(Feb 11, 2015) Anonymous said:
I just had my 5 year old natural gas Burnham Alpine boiler annual service. Now I am getting the loud whoosh noise you describe above. I called the company that did the servicing and they said not to worry about it. It didn't do that before they came. Burnham released a new flue cap under warranty and they put that on also. Should I be worried?? Thank you, Victoria

Reply:

I can't guess with confidence, Victoria. There is a normal ignition noise at gas burners and then there could be a much louder uglier noise if there is an unsare condition.

If for example there were a gas leak or delayed ignition so that a large volume of gas was being ignited that'd be unsafe; your service tech ought to be able to spot the difference by testing for gas leaks and by watching the flame ignite process. If there is a roll-out of flame during ignition that's another warning sign.

Question: reconnected gas service but appliances don't work and are Red Tagged

(Feb 16, 2015) Tom said:
Tenants didn't pay their utility bills and gas, electric and water were shut off for several months before I realized it. I've now reconnected them but the electric ignitions on both the water heater and stove/range don't work and gas company has "red tagged them" Both worked fine previous to the utilities being cut.

Seems like too big of coincidence that these two similar problems would not have been caused by the electric and gas being cut off.

There are three separate bills so the water, gas and electric could have been shut off at three different times. Can someone tell me if electric ignitions could burn out if the gas were shut off or if other scenarios would cause this to happen?

Reply:

It's possible that the control module(s) were damaged by having been left on for weeks or months sparking continuously.

Check first for burned wires, blown fuses, burned igniters.

Question: LP gas water heater puffs at shut off

(Feb 19, 2015) Jim said:
I have a LP water heater. Works great. However I notice that when the burner shuts off after the water reaching temperature, there is a "puff" when the gas shuts off. The pilot stays lit and is a nice blue color. Just wondering why this momentary burn or "puff" when the unit shuts the gas off?

Reply:

I'd ask for a service check to be sure there's not a small gas leak that could become dangerous.

...

Continue reading  at GAS IGNITER DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• BANGING HEATING SYSTEM NOISES
• BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
• COMPLETE COMBUSTION, STOICHIOMETRIC
• GAS APPLIANCE CONVERT LP-to-NATURAL GAS
• GAS BURNER FLAME & NOISE DEFECTS
• GAS BURNER SOOT CAUSE & CURE
• GAS BURNER PILOT LIGHT PROCEDURE
• GAS BURNER POPPING NOISES
• GAS BURNER RUMBLING CHUGGING NOISES
• GAS COOKTOP or STOVE IGNITER REPAIR
• GAS COOKTOP RANGE & OVEN REPAIR & MANUALS
• GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS
• GAS IGNITER DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG
• GAS PILOT WON'T STAY LIT
• GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS
• GAS REGULATORS & APPLIANCE / HEATER CONTROLS
• GAS REGULATOR NOISES - buzzing, humming, and other noises at gas appliance regulators
• WATER HEATER SCALE DE-LIMING PROCEDURE

 

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GAS IGNITER DIAGNOSIS FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to GAS APPLIANCES, PIPING, CONTROLS

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