Most gas ovens light with a hot-surface igniter, and it has two jobs. It gets hot enough to light the gas, and it passes the electric current that opens the gas valve. As igniters age they keep glowing but carry less current, too little for the valve, so the oven looks busy and never heats.
How to recognize it
- Through the slots in the oven floor, you can see the igniter glowing.
- No flame shows up within about 90 seconds, or the oven takes a very long time to light.
- The cooktop burners light normally, so the gas supply is fine.
Checks you can safely make
- Make sure the oven isn't set to delay start, lock or Sabbath mode.
- Light a cooktop burner. If it works, the gas supply isn't the issue.
- With the room lights on, keep an eye on the igniter through the floor slots. A dim glow or a slow warm-up supports the weak-igniter theory.
Why not replace it yourself?
The igniter sits right beside the gas valve and burner, and it has to match your oven's current rating. A wrong part, or a loose connection, can let gas flow without lighting. A technician also checks the valve and wiring, because a failing valve causes the same symptom.
If you smell gas
Don't touch light switches, controls or the oven. Leave your home and call SoCalGas or 911 once you're outside.
For other oven problems, see oven and range repair.
