A gas stove that makes a clicking noise — even when turned off, or with a burner lit— might be a sign that moisture or dirt is interfering with the functioning of the spark ignitor (or surface burner ignitor), or a part of the electronic ignition system needs replacing.
Gas stoves that use an electronic ignition system do not have a standing pilot light. Instead, the spark ignitor (located near the burner) creates a spark which ignites the gas flowing from your burner creating a cooking flame. Overflowing pots, cooking debris, moisture and dirt can sometimes interfere with the spark ignitor, causing a persistent clicking sound.
Before working on any appliance, make sure to disconnect the power and utilities (water, gas) to the appliance.
You can try cleaning the area around your spark ignitor (including the burner cap and the holes around the cap) using a tooth brush, or a nylon scrubbing pad to remove any dirt or grime covering these parts. You can also try taking apart the burner (removing the burner cap) and propping up the stove cooktop to dry out the surrounding area, especially if you have a spill or pot overflow.
Whirlpool Surface Ignitor Part number: W10209656
Assemble the burner, turn on the gas and power and test out your stove burner again. If you continue to hear a clicking noise, then there might be an issue with the ignitor switch or spark module.
Electrolux Spark Ignition Switch. Part number: 316032001
The ignitor switch controls the voltage sent to the spark module and is operated by the knobs on your stove. Over time, one or more of these switches can break. Some stoves have the switches all wired together as one part, so you cannot replace an individual switch.
General Electric Spark Modul. Part number WB13K25
Another part that could be faulty is the spark module located at the rear of the range or underneath the cooktop. The spark module sends an electronic pulse to the surface ignitor that helps light the gas on the burners. After checking the surface burner ignitor switches, check this part to see if it needs to be replaced.
I’m just wondering, is the “electronic spark module” connected to the 110 volt household current? I would think so but it must be hardwired. Thank you.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your question!
The electronic spark module is directly connected to a spark switch or control. It’s not directly connected to the power, it only receives power when it sparks.
My burner started making sound. It is only one of the four burner that makes clicking sound. As soon as I turn the gas on, the sound goes away. Also, when I take power cord off my outlet, the sound is gone. what is wrong?
Hello Nehal, Thanks for your question. Let me put it to some of our parts experts here on staff to see what they can come up with.
i just want to ask. our gas stove is having problems when we turn it on. we can hear a loud popping noise when we turn it on as we hear the noise the flame also burst. I’m afraid that it would give some accidents. Coz em unaware of this phenomenon so can u give me some advices how should we handle it or what are the things we should do.? thank u your response would be of great help.
We have on older Whirlpool stove with ignitors. It had been sitting for a while before it was given to us. The ignitors fire nonstop if the gas is turned off. When i turn the gas on, it stops. Both the left and right ignitor are doing it as the same time. If i turn on the left burner they both stop firing, same if I turn a right burner on. Any thoughts? for now we have to leave it unplugged. Dont want to have to use a math to light my electic ignition stove.
Thank you for posting these kind of informative posts….
Cleaning cook top and now one burner won’t stop clicking unless I unplug. This has happened before but once they dry ignition worked and never did it keep clicking. Help please
Hi Ed, Make sure your stove top burners are completely dry before using.
Is it safe to cook on a stove top which all four burners are clicking and sparking non-stop unless I switch the main power off?
Hi there: I have a Maytag gas range that I had purchased new from Lowes in 2009. Now it has developed a problem that is, all burners keep clicking all the time. There is spark on all four burners. I have tried to clean burners after detaching them from base plate as much as I could. They all look quite clean. Also, spark plug and holes for gas look pretty clean as well. I call spark elements as spark plugs because they look like spark plugs for a gasoline engine. What could be wrong and how can I fix it. My gas range is Maytag model MGR4452BDW. Thanks.
Did you ever find resolution on this? I have two burners that keep clicking on high but when I lower the flame it’s ok. I have cleaned it several times and know soup spilled on the one burner but not sure about the other.
I have the same problem with my Maytag stove. What did u do to get it to stop?
Can the humidity be causing this? It is especially humid today, and it was not doing this yesterday.
Hello Bob,
My Magic Chef makes noise non-stop that I belief it is from an electric ignitor from the bottom of the rear right burner. when the gas is turned on, the ignitor provides spark as usual but the noise still going on. It seems like there is only one ignitor for all four burners. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Bruce in Elmhurst, NY
Hello,
Please advise why my gas range’s electric ignitor or spark makes noise. It sounds like an alarm clock non-stop. When the gas is turned on, spark module, electrodes work and the burners are able to start fire as it should be.
Thanks
Hi,
I have a Dacor Discovery, and the one burner clicked to a steady beat when the unit is on simmer, and only on simmer. Raising the heat, stopped the clicking. I cleaned the igniter with alcohol. It stopped clicking, and the next day starting clicking again, but now with a quicker more erratic rhythm. Still stops clicking when I raise the heat. Can you help?
I unpluged my stove but when i replug it all burners now click. I turned them all on for a little then off but the 2 in the middle still click when off
I was laying in bed and heard my burners clicking on stove top around 2 am. I walked into the kitchen and i could see all 4 burners sparking but of course they never lit. What is the problem, do i need to be worried and how to solve the issue.
Hello Angelia. Can you share with us a little bit more about your stove? Make and model? Also, are you in the U.S.? We only ask because we do get a lot of U.K. readers! Thank you.
I just replaced the spark module and all 5 switches on me gas cooktop….. still constantly sparking when plugged in. Any thoughts?
If you recently rewired your stove, check to make sure the hot and neutral legs are not swapped.
This fixed my problem!
Good advice, thanks!
Sounds like the clicking is from the back of my oven. Is that a switch valve problem or can I just clean it up?
Hi Miles, It’s always a good idea to try the easy fixes first. If it does not solve your problem, then yes, you may need to investigate other parts.