How to Change a Hot Surface Ignitor on a Hot Water Tank

Modern hot water tanks fueled by gas use a hot surface ignitor instead of an old-style pilot light. The ignitor is an electrical device with a flat, pronged surface made of thin metal at one end. When the tip of the ignitor rises to the correct temperature, the gas valve inside the tank opens to light the burner that warms the water container. If the ignitor wears out, the tank will not produce hot water.

Nut driver set
Screwdriver set

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the circuit breaker to the tank and close the gas valve knob on the line connected to the tank. Wait for the tank to cool to room temperature.
- 2
  Take off the service panel near the bottom of the tank, extracting the bolts in the panel with the nut driver. The hot surface ignitor consists of a flat metal tip attached to a cube housing. Two wires extend from the back of the housing to a power socket.
- 3
  Unplug the wiring at the back of the ignitor from the power socket, pulling on the plug attached to the wires.
- 4
  Loosen the screw holding the housing to the metal support, using the screwdriver. Lift the old ignitor out of the support and remove it from the tank.
- 5
  Position the new ignitor housing in the support and tighten the screw. Avoid touching the hot surface tip on the new part. It can break easily.
- 6
  Connect the wired plug on the new part to the socket.
- 7
  Bolt the service panel onto the tank side, using the hardware removed in Step 2, along with the nut driver.
- 8
  Open the gas valve and turn on the circuit breaker.

How to Replace the Electronic Controller on the Magic Chef Gas Oven

How to Change Bathroom Heater Coils

Appliance Repair