Why Gas Stove Burners Keep Clicking
Any cool chef probably owns a gas stove or range. Now, if you have such an appliance in your kitchen, then you are likely familiar with the clicking sound it makes when you turn the surface burner knob. Now, sometimes clicking is the typical sound of the electric igniter at work to light the stove, and once the flame is on, the sound should stop.
But trouble arises when the clicking goes on even after the stove is lit – or sometimes, even the burner fails to lit and bang goes your dinner plans. Now before you get your phone and put in a call to your appliance’s service professionals, you can try out this troubleshooting steps first:
- Burner cap is out of alignment
The first thing to check if the clicking sound interferes with the burner operations is whether the burner cap is in its correct place. A burner cap that is out of alignment is one of the most common reasons for a clicking gas stove. So, once the cooktop is cool for comfortable touch, simply off the burner grate to access the cap. Next, remove the burner cap then re-centre it on its base and try lighting the burner to check if the clicking sound has gone.
- Excess moisture on the cap
While checking the burner cap for alignment, please remember to check for any signs of moisture too. Lingering moisture in the burner cap can also cause the gas stove to make clicking noises.
Moisture usually accumulates in the burner after you clean the cooktop when a pot boils over or due to grease spillages. So, while checking for burner alignment, dry everything completely too. To do this, just start by removing the cap and air drying it. Next, make sure all the burners are off and towel off the top of the range. Finally, set your oven to 350° degrees and just leave it for about half an hour to warm up and get rid of any excess moisture on the insides of the burner. You can also just use a fan, aim it at the burner to dry the moisture.
- Excessive food or debris issue
Another reason for a clicking gas stove may be that excessive food or debris is blocking the lighter or the control knobs. It is very important to ensure the burner top is free from any food or debris.
To clean up any food or debris from the range, you need a metal pin or a paperclip. Don’t make the mistake of using a toothpick to dislodge debris from the recesses of the burner, this flimsy tool my break and leave pieces stuck inside, leading to even more burner trouble.
Time to perform a repair
Now, if you’ve thoroughly been through the steps 1,2 and 3 above but are still experiencing the clicking gas stove problem, then it’s time you took a more in-depth look into the following parts:
Stuck or wet igniter switch
The spark switch kick starts the ignition process by allowing an electrical current to flow to the spark module. But the spark switch can twist or trip due to a surge in electricity, moisture etc. In the case of a damaged igniter switch, the burner won’t light or may make clicking sounds due to a continuous flow of electricity.
Check if the igniter switch is wet, twisted or damaged. You can use a multimeter switch to check for faulty. A faulty igniter switch registers continuity on the multimeter and could be the reason for the clicking gas stove problem. Replacing the igniter switch should fix both problems. Just make sure you get a manufacturer-endorsed replacement spark switch; wear work gloves then follow these steps:
- Cut off the range from power and gas
- Remove the cooktop: Remove the grates, lift off the burner caps and unscrew off the burner heads, the cooktop then pop it off.
- Next, open the oven door and unscrew the control manifold off the oven.
- Remove the igniter switches: Unscrew the upper back panel off, then disconnect the red spark module wires and pull out the wire harness through the front of your gas range.
- Next, install the brand-new igniter switch and put everything else back as you found it.
Spark module
The spark module supplies power to the spark electrode. In case of a faulty spark module, the burners will spark continuously. However, between the spark module and the igniter switch, it’s the latter that is most likely to be at fault in case of a clicking stove problem. But if you’ve already verified that the igniter switch is not stuck, faulty or wet, then move to check the spark module.
Use a multimeter on the spark module too and if it registers continuity, consider replacing it. Replacing a spark module is a piece of cake, just unplug the wires from the worn-out spark module and plug them into the new one. You can take a picture with your phone then verify that the wires are in the right position.
Faulty spark electrode
The other cause for the clicking gas stove problem may be a defective spark electrode. This happens when you let clicking problems go on for so long that the piece that actually creates the sparks becomes damaged. Replacing the electrode should get your burner working again, and the clicking sound solved.
- Using a wrench, remove the orifice that holds the electrode in the burner.
- Next, locate the electrode at the end of the wire that is attached to the burner.
- Pull off the old electrode and place in the new electrode
- Put everything back in place as you found them.
Ta-dah, there you go lovelies, a persistent clicking gas stove problem can be a real heartache, and when s**t hits the stove, the burner won’t even light. But with the above troubleshooting tips, you can fix the clicking gas stove or range on your own. Word of caution though, if you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, please cut off the gas supply, leave the area and contact your local technician for help!