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TESTING PROCEDURE FOR BAKE/BROIL IGNITERS
The bake and broil, igniters are mounted to the bake and broil burner and ignite the gas flowing into the burner. During a bake or broil
operation, current flows through the igniter, gas valve and thermostat to neutral. As the igniter starts heating and glowing, its internal
resistance decreases allowing more current to flow through the bake or broil circuit. When the circuit current reaches approximately 3.2 to
3.6 amps, the bi-metal arm in the gas valve flexes, opening the valve and allowing gas to flow to the burner when it is ignited by the
glowing igniter. The igniter will glow anytime the bake or broil burners are in operation and cycle on and off with the thermostat cycling
contacts.
The igniter can be checked for continuity by using an ohmmeter set to the Rx10 range. Remove the igniter from the burner and
disconnect the igniter wiring. Attach one meter lead to each igniter wire. A resistance of several hundred ohms may be indicated and may
vary with each igniter. The main purpose of this test is to see if the igniter is open internally. The igniter may still be defective even though
continuity is indicated and it glows when the oven is set for bake or broil. A more exact test is to measure the igniter current with the oven
operating. An ammeter should be inserted in series with one lead of the igniter or any amp probe attached to the igniter will check the
amount of current flowing through the igniter circuit. With the oven turned on and the igniter glowing red, a current reading of
approximately 3.2 to 3.6 amps should be indicated.
