Electric ignition on a gas stove does not work: do-it-yourself repair

On many models of gas stoves, designers install automatic ignition, which is turned on with the gas supply or from a separate button. This function is very convenient: you do not need to come into contact with an open flame in order to light the burner. If you suddenly discover that the automatic ignition on a gas stove does not work, do not rush to call the service: it is quite possible to repair this malfunction yourself.

How does electric ignition work?

Electric ignition makes it possible to light the stove safely. It reduces the possibility of getting burned to a minimum, because with piezo ignition there is no need to use lighters or matches. There is also no contact with flame. With electric ignition, gas ignition occurs from the activation of a piezoelectric element on the gas device. The piezoelectric element gives a spark, after which automatic electric ignition takes place without the use of other devices. Repair of gas stoves with electric ignition can be done either with the help of a specialist or with your own hands: it all depends on the type of breakdown and knowledge about the operation of the structure.

Security measures

When carrying out work to disassemble the upper part of the stove or hob, it is necessary to turn off the electricity, then turn off the gas supply. When checking the operability of the stove in disassembled form after repairs, the connection of electricity and gas is carried out in a short-term mode. Full connection of the slab to the required communications is carried out after completion of all assembly work.

Having the skills to work with a screwdriver and an electrical tester, anyone can independently identify and repair damage to a hob with electric ignition. The performance of household appliances is the key to a good mood, especially after performing repairs with your own hands.

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Causes of failure

Why doesn't the gas stove work? There are two most common reasons for poorly functioning electric ignition:

electrodes do not produce a spark;
the electrodes spark without stopping.

One of the reasons why the electric ignition of a gas stove does not work well is grease on the buttons. Solving the problem is very simple: just clean and dry the components of the hob, all the buttons in order to repair the electric ignition of the gas stove caused by contamination.

Another possible cause of failure is a crack or broken ceramic insulation on the spark plug. A dirty spark plug can fail if dirt accumulates on it. Also, the spark plug may stop working properly due to poor sealing or oxidation of the rod made of steel. In addition, the element may crack due to careless handling. In this case, the spark begins to strike to the side. The only way out of the situation is to replace the spark plug.

When the spark generation unit (ignition transformer) burns out, the button you press does not create a spark. If the piezo ignition on a gas stove does not work, it is easier to buy it than to repair it. It is possible to repair this element, but it is too expensive - it is cheaper to purchase a new one.

When washing the stove, water very often gets into the contact area of the power buttons. High humidity creates all the conditions for these contacts to oxidize, become hard and break over time. In some cases, the opposite happens - the contacts may stick together and not work correctly. It’s easy to solve a similar problem with automatic ignition not working - just cleaning and drying is enough, after which the functionality of the hob will be restored.

The principle of operation of the piezoelectric element

The electric ignition function is used only on gas stoves, allowing blue fuel to be ignited automatically, thereby eliminating the need for the user to come into contact with an open flame.

This seemingly convenient piezo ignition function is considered one of the most capricious and unreliable devices of a modern gas stove.

If a malfunction is detected, you should not try to turn on the system with the burners removed, as this may cause a breakdown on the housing

The electric ignition system is equipped with special piezoelements, which, when turning the switch on the control panel, produce a spark to ignite the gas flow.

If we consider the principle of operation of piezo ignition of a gas stove in more detail, it looks like this:

when you turn the switch of a certain burner, voltage is applied to the capacitor area;
then the capacitor begins charging, after which the level on the thyristor increases;
as soon as the level reaches the set limit, the capacitor begins to discharge;
the resulting voltage activates the spark gap, and as a result, a spark ignites the gas.

The process of igniting gas by turning on the electric ignition takes a matter of seconds, while in new models of stoves the spark always hits the area of the switched-on burner. The piezo ignition device operates from an electrical network with a voltage of 220 volts.

Often, a breakdown of the electric ignition system of a gas stove occurs as a result of a sharp jump in voltage, which may require repairing the device and replacing failed parts.

Why doesn't it light up the first time?

Some equipment owners are faced with the problem of the burner taking a long time to ignite. Does the gas go out immediately after the button is released? the burner itself stop working on a gas stove after a while? The reason is most likely the thermocouple, which is located near each burner.

A thermocouple is an alloy of two metals. When this element heats up, an electric current begins to be generated. It is this that causes the magnetic valve to remain pressed, thus preventing it from closing the passage of gas through the burner. A dirty thermocouple is the most common reason why a gas stove does not ignite the first time.

You can clean the thermocouple using sandpaper, which you can buy at any store that specializes in selling building materials.

After cleaning, the element begins to heat up well, the gas no longer goes out. In some cases, cleaning does not help: the equipment still does not light up the first time. This may be due to the fact that the thermocouple itself has failed - you need to replace or change the piezoelectric element.

Thermocouple burned out

A thermocouple is two connected conductors. The main purpose of the device is to measure temperature. This thing is located not far from the candle and if it breaks, it prevents the burner from igniting.

Typical symptoms of a malfunction are:

you press the ignition button;
The fire lights up, but goes out when the button is pressed.

There is no need to rush to replace; sometimes cleaning is enough. The sensor head (located under the divider) is carefully cleaned with sandpaper. This will restore rapid heating and the system will work with renewed vigor.

If this does not help, replace the thermocouple with a new one. I advise you to install an original spare part. With non-original parts it is very difficult to ensure the correct response threshold. After repair, the system is checked for functionality.

Symptoms of a problem

Are you trying to light a burner but the ignition is not working? This is a fairly common problem for owners of gas appliances. If you notice problems with the electric ignition, you should call a technician to your home. You can carry out preliminary diagnostics and try to determine the problem, but it is not always worth repairing the electric ignition of a gas stove yourself - this can only aggravate the problem.

Signs by which you can determine that the electric ignition has stopped working are:

continuous clicking of the electric ignition;
When you press the button, the electric ignition does not work;
ignition continues after the button is released;
constant appearance of sparks when the button is turned off;
the burner in the gas stove does not work or works with varying degrees of success;
knocking out the machine gun in the dashboard.

About the electric ignition device and parts that can break in it

An electric ignition is an ignition unit that is usually installed under the stove panel. Wires come from it and are connected to special candles in each burner and oven. They produce a spark when voltage is applied to them.

Different brands of stoves (Gefest, Bosch, Mora, Gorenje, Ardo, Darina) use a spark as a method of igniting the gas, but the operating principle may differ. There are 2 types of electric ignition:

using piezo ignition;
using electric ignition.

The first technology allows you to produce a spark using human mechanical action. In other words, when you press a button.

The second is simpler in its design: the ignition is started using an electric spark. To start working, just turn the control knob.

When a breakdown occurs, first of all you should check:

ignition unit;
wires and contacts;
candles and their insulation;
thermocouple;
button.

You can handle simple repairs yourself. Eliminating the integrity of the wires or cleaning the spark plug does not require special skills. But replacing the ignition unit, adjusting the thermocouple, changing buttons is a difficult job. For her, it is best to call a master who will do the work, guaranteeing quality.

Electric ignition does not work on one burner

Why doesn't the gas stove light up? Many models of this equipment are designed in such a way that a person does not come into contact with open fire. Automatic ignition is very practical, because it can be turned on with gas supply or using a specially designed button. But what to do if you suddenly notice that the electric ignition does not work on one burner?

If you press the ignition button and nothing happens, or you hear clicks but no spark appears, it means that the electric ignition has started to work incorrectly. At such moments, when only one burner does not light, and all the others are working properly, it can be judged that the high-voltage wire going to the ignition electrode is functioning intermittently. This may also be the result of a broken ignition device or failure of the ignition unit. Most often, one burner does not work when the nozzle of the burner nozzle is dirty. Food debris prevents gas from flowing through the hole, so the injectors need to be cleaned or replaced.

In addition to this problem, quite often one burner from the entire panel does not work due to a malfunction in the gas control system. In this case, the part may light up, but immediately go out after the button is released. It is necessary to replace the thermocouple, solenoid valve or the entire gas control system. Sometimes the combustion does not work because the gas valve is stuck. The handle does not turn well because small particles of carbon deposits get into the faucet mechanism or the lubricant dries out. You need to disassemble the gas valve, clean it and lubricate it.

What to do if the piece constantly clicks on its own

It is necessary to find the sources of problems. Next, follow the instructions for eliminating operational defects that are written in this article. Brush up on all your knowledge about this

It is important not to panic in any situation, strictly follow the rules, only then the outcome of events will be favorable

How to troubleshoot at home

For example, when the cause is water, that is, due to the constant ingress of liquid onto the stove, you need to dry the device thoroughly. You should remove the plug from the socket and turn off the device for several days (recommended two to three). During this time, the device should have time to dry. If after this procedure the clicking noise remains, then you will have to call special specialists who will certainly cope with the task.

If only one burner does not work, then the problem is that the wire is damaged; the fault lies in the channel itself of the entire unit.
If the burner is faulty, it should be replaced.
However, if the click continues to repeat, you should use a lighter or matches to ignite it.
Or call a professional technician who can accurately diagnose the cause and repair your equipment.

The main thing is not to panic when a breakdown is detected, but to act consistently.

Electric ignition does not work on two burners

In some cases, a gas stove on two burners does not light. Sometimes lighting it with a match helps - everything works normally, without interruption. The cause of this malfunction is damage to the spark plug responsible for ignition. We repair electric ignition as follows: clean the spark plug and look at its condition; perhaps it’s enough just to clean the spark plug’s power wire.

If there is a crack on the element, we buy a new part and put it in place of the old one. The electric ignition may also break down due to a faulty ignition button. Moisture or small debris could have gotten into it, or it could have been damaged mechanically. To fix this, you need to clean the oxidized buttons or replace them if they are mechanically damaged.

If there are other flame problems

In addition to the ignition malfunction, other damage should be excluded. If you light a gas oven burner with matches, the flame should be uniform and consistently blue. Sluggish combustion with yellow tongues is the main sign of improper combustion and you should dance in this direction.

If the flame burns on one side of the burner, this may suggest deformation or unevenness of the structure. In addition, the proportions of the gas mixture may be disrupted. With such problems, the burner will not light even if there is a spark. This requires cleaning the injectors or reinstalling them.

Other troubles may lie in the timer module, if the gas oven has one. This point should also be checked. The burner often does not ignite due to its malfunction.

There is no spark on any of the stove burners

In the most severe cases, the electric ignition of a gas stove does not work on all burners. This may be due to the fact that:

there has been a transition to low-pressure gas - a broken gas stove is repaired by replacing the burner nozzles, which are designed for low pressure;
there was a break in the wiring on the electric ignition side - the breakdown is eliminated after restoring the wiring;
The auto-ignition unit, which generates a spark, has broken down - the owner of either Bosch, Ariston or Beko may encounter this problem - the entire electric ignition unit needs to be replaced.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

You can learn how to independently repair the piezo ignition of one gas burner from the following video:

How to restore the operation of electric ignition on two gas burners is explained in detail in this video:

A breakdown of the piezo ignition of a gas stove today is not a disaster, because with all the necessary knowledge, now anyone can repair the device on their own. The main condition is to carry out diagnostics of all elements of the electric ignition system to correctly identify the breakdown.

If you have already had to independently repair the electric ignition of a gas stove, then please share your experience with our readers and tell us what nuances you should pay attention to during the repair process. In a special block after the article, you can leave a comment telling your story of successfully restoring the operation of the piezo ignition of a gas stove.

Ignition produces a spark, but the burner does not ignite

In cases where the electric ignition produces a spark, but the burner does not ignite, you should try replacing the thermocouple. Sometimes the problem is related to the solenoid valve, and after updating it, the equipment operates normally. You should check the ignition unit, because if everything is fine with it, but ignition does not occur, you need to look for a problem in the power wire or burner spark plug.

If a spark is supplied, the flame lights up, but immediately goes out, try holding the gas button longer. It is likely that the sensors responsible for the formation of the flame simply do not have time to warm up.

What other problems may occur?

A fairly common problem is the gas burner turning off during operation. In this case, you should first observe how well the fuel burns. You can either clean the nozzle or adjust the gas supply. If such actions prove futile, it is recommended to contact a technician to determine the cause. Most likely, you will have to buy a new thermocouple, which cannot be replaced independently without certain knowledge.

Often the burner has a smaller flame. If no adjustment has been made up to this point, then most likely the problem is in the nozzle, which should distribute the gas and supply it for combustion. Most often it becomes clogged with oil or grease, so all you need to do is just clean the part. If the gas stove is Ariston, the electric ignition on models of this brand often does not work precisely for this reason.

If the electric ignition stops working after washing the gas stove or panel

When washing the hob, water or detergent, one way or another, even in a small dose, can get inside the burner. The moisture inside oxidizes the steel rod of the spark plug, causing the spark to become almost invisible, ignite the gas poorly or completely absent. Check whether the spark plug is intact: if it is not cracked, but is simply dirty or oxidized, it can be easily repaired. It is enough to simply clean the candle from the oxidation product and from now on try to pour less water and soap solution onto the hob.

How to fix an electric ignition yourself

In order to repair the electric ignition of a gas stove, you first need to find the cause of the problem. If you are unsure of your knowledge, you should not start repairing it yourself; it is better to entrust this matter to a specialist. Well, if you decide to repair a gas stove with your own hands, below are the methods in the form of instructions for this process:

Initially, you need to light the faulty burner manually or using matches. If the gas burns properly, the flame will be blue and uniform. The faulty element burns with a yellow or sluggish flame. If gas combustion occurs only on one side of the burner, it means that the divider is uneven or deformed. The problem occurs due to a malfunction in the fuel mixture ratio, which is why the burner does not ignite from a spark. You can fix the problem with electric ignition yourself by cleaning the injectors and reinstalling the divider.
All electrodes, ignited by a spark, are powered through the ignition unit, and in order to turn on the unit, you need to use different buttons. Try using the following ignition scheme: light one burner by pressing the button while holding down the second one. This method is relevant if the first part did not ignite manually when the gas tap was open, but a spark did not form. If this burner did not give a spark this time (one of the two clamped), we can conclude that the electric ignition switch is broken.
If, when trying to light the hob, the ignition starts to crackle continuously, this may be due to the contacts of one of the switches closing. This can happen due to moisture or grease getting into the middle of the structure, as well as due to oxidation or bending of the contacts. In order to solve this problem with a gas stove, you need to clean and dry all the elements. Carrying out preventive maintenance will affect the return of equipment to serviceable condition.

>When cleaning switches, remember that they operate under a voltage of 220 V - you should follow safety precautions in order to repair the equipment without causing damage to yourself.

Causes and troubleshooting

Regardless of the age of the gas stove, the electric ignition function can break down at any time, and the cause of the breakdown is not always a consequence of improper operation.

Of course, sometimes a malfunction of the piezo ignition occurs after wet cleaning of the hob, as a result of which moisture, along with the detergent, gets inside the stove. In this case, the breakdown can be easily eliminated without repair.

If moisture gets into the inside of the gas stove, it is enough to clean the contacts and dry the spark plugs, after which the electric ignition function will be completely restored

If during operation of a gas stove one or more of the previously listed symptoms are observed, then the problem lies precisely in the piezo ignition.

Failure of such an important function may occur for any of the following reasons.

No spark at the electrodes.
Moisture or grease entering the system.
The appearance of a crack on the surface of a ceramic candle.
Damage to the insulation of the wire going to the spark plug.
Burnout of the transformer - spark generation unit.
Oxidation or contamination of the power button contacts.

In some cases, you can repair the piezo lighter of a gas stove yourself, but this will require a complete diagnosis of the equipment and correctly determine the reason for the system stopping. Further in the article, we will present ways to restore the piezo ignition function in case of the most common device failures.

If, after pressing the auto-ignition button, the burner does not ignite, and at the same time, you notice that there is no ignition spark, then this means only one thing - the electric ignition has failed. The absence of a spark in one, two or all four burners may indicate various breakdowns, which you can learn about in more detail in the following sections of the article.

After removing the top panel of the slab, you should immediately compare each element of the system with the presented diagram in order to understand in which area to look for a breakdown

Based on the presented diagram, you can figure out on your own how to properly repair the piezoelectric element in a gas stove without calling a technician. Since the auto-ignition function for all gas stoves is designed according to the same pattern, the process of restoring operation will be the same for all models.

No spark on all burners

If, when you turn on the oven, you notice that the electric ignition does not click, and a spark does not appear on any of the burners, then first you need to check whether the plug and power cord are working. Only after eliminating such faults can we assume that the failure occurred in the auto-ignition system.

If there is no spark on all burners, the problem may be a malfunction of the ignition unit, and often the capacitor that produces a spark when the button is pressed is the first to fail. The only solution is to replace the ignition unit.

Another cause of malfunction may be a breakdown of the auto-ignition button (in older models with one button for all burners). In this case, the button itself will be pressed intermittently - too weakly or too tightly. Due to oxidation or mechanical damage to the button, the contacts do not close, which means the electric ignition does not work.

Mechanical damage to the auto-ignition button can occur as a result of prolonged careless operation, sometimes in combination with serious contamination

To fix the problem, you will need to clean the contacts from oxidation, or if the button is damaged, replace it. In specialized online stores you can select an electric ignition button for any model of gas stove, even outdated ones.

Only one burner does not light up

If, when you turn on the piezo ignition function, a spark does not appear on only one burner, then the first thing you need to do is check the spark plug for contamination. During operation, water could penetrate into the system, leaving traces of oxidation on the spark plug, causing the electric ignition to temporarily fail. In this case, you will need to wipe the part with a sponge and WD-40 spray, and then try to turn on the burner again.

Further lack of response to turning on the auto-ignition button may indicate a malfunction of the spark plug of a specific burner. Often the reason is a breakdown of the power cord running from the ignition unit to the candle, which can be simply damaged.

If food gets on the cord during operation, it will simply stick to the body of the stove, which is why it will break through the settled fat onto the body.

You should not try to twist the damaged section of the cord with simple electrical tape, since it is not designed to withstand high temperatures and may melt over time.

In this case, the only rational solution to the problem is to replace the power cord along with the spark plug. If the burner does not work due to a cord stuck to the body, then you will need to disassemble the stove and then remove the dirt yourself.

Often, in expensive models that are equipped with electric ignition buttons built into the handle of each burner, one or more buttons break down. This situation may arise due to oxidation of the contacts or damage to the button itself. In the first case, it is enough to clean the contacts, but if the button mechanism is damaged, it will need to be replaced.

Electric ignition does not work on two burners

If the auto-ignition function fails only on a couple of burners, then the reason may be a malfunction of the ignition unit. A transformer is installed at the output of the ignition unit, the secondary winding of which consists of two more windings.

During operation, the voltage of the first winding of the electric ignition unit is supplied to the right side of the panel of the gas stove, while the second winding is responsible for supplying current to the two left burners.

If one of the windings burns out, the auto-ignition stops working on the two burners it was responsible for igniting. To restore the operation of failed burners, you will need to replace the electric ignition unit.

If the transformer winding burns out, only two right or two left burners stop working, which eliminates any other malfunctions

If you have the appropriate skills, you can try to install a new transformer winding yourself, but a simpler option would still be to replace the entire electrical ignition unit.

Selecting a ready-made part will be much easier than repairing a broken unit yourself.

When to contact a specialist

Most of the breakdowns that cause defects during the operation of electric ignition are not dangerous to humans. But the continuous crackling and clicking can get pretty boring. What to do if the electric ignition does not work, and you couldn’t fix the problem yourself? A gas stove is a dangerous technique because it can cause gas leakage. It is better not to try to disassemble and repair the electric ignition yourself. Find out how to check the ignition unit of a gas stove, and if a problem is detected, contact a specialist. Repair of electric ignition in Moscow is carried out by calling a specialist to your home.

We make repairs

When you have carried out an inspection, found out the cause and diagnosed the problems, you can begin to repair the gas stove yourself. It is carried out similarly for all models. The famous Italian brand Ariston or the Belarusian stove Hephaestus, which is in great demand among Russians, there is no difference, the ignition systems are almost identical except for purely individual nuances.

Before starting work, refresh your knowledge by reading the product's operating instructions. Knowledge of the operating principle and structure of a gas stove is necessary for its successful repair.

We ignite the faulty burner using a third-party source of open flame, matches or a special lighter - the flame should be even and distributed over the entire circumference of the divider. A yellow flame means the concentration of gas and air is incorrect: the nozzle needs to be cleaned or replaced. It is possible that the holes in the divider are clogged or moisture has entered there. It is necessary to do preventive maintenance, blow out all the holes, remove the burner body and inspect it.
All electrodes and switches are connected in parallel. Each electrode is powered from a single ignition unit, but they are turned on from different buttons. To make sure that only this button does not work, and the control unit is normal, you need to turn on the next burner. If the gas ignites, repair the button, and everything else in the system works properly.
If the ignition device is constantly cracking, then it is necessary to check the contacts - they could be stuck due to grease or carbon deposits may have formed as a result of oxidation. Before repairing, do not forget to disconnect the stove from the mains, then carefully dismantle it, clean the contacts or dry them with a hair dryer. Following safety instructions will protect you from injury.

Most of the breakdowns that led to the failure can be fixed independently - they are not dangerous for the user, but it must be remembered that gas stoves are potentially dangerous products, so even preventative work must be carried out carefully.

Sometimes a breakdown of the ignition button leads to the fact that repair will not help - a complete replacement is necessary. In this case, it is better to go to special stores and purchase a similar option.