The Kenmore Gas Range Ignitor Will Not Stop

Stuck Dials

• If your top burners keep clicking even after the burner has been lit, look at the dial you use to control the burner. Some burners have automatic ignitor systems that send signals when you turn a burner on. Other dials must be held at ignition. In either case, the dial may have become stuck at the ignition phase and will keep clicking until you replace it.

Sensor Problems

• Your Kenmore burners have thermocouple sensors designed to indicate when a burner is operating and when it is safe for an ignitor to work or stop working without creating a combustion hazard. If these sensors fail, they may start sending signals that the burner is not lit even when it is. This may cause the ignitor to continue to click whenever the burner is used.

Circuit Problems

• Ignitors are controlled by primary circuits that manage electrical flow and burner operation. Even if the thermocouples and burner dials are operating correctly, the circuitry may be malfunctioning and sending the wrong signals to the ignitor. You can test ignitors and wiring with an ohmmeter to determine whether they have the proper resistance, which can provide clues to where the problem lies.

Dirty Burners

• If a burner is corroded or dirty, the gas lines may have a blockage that prevents it from working properly. If this occurs, the ignitor may not receive a steady stream of gas to ignite, so it will keep clicking while the burner refuses to light at all. If this occurs, clean your burner thoroughly and see if it operates again.