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Discover 7 reasons why your cooktop burner flame is too high. Get expert tips on how to adjust the flame on a gas stove from Sears Home Services.
Why Is My Gas Stove Clicking When Off?
When you hear your gas stove clicking constantly, an igniter switch is likely stuck in the “Lite” position.
Check that all surface burner knobs are fully turned off.
If liquids spilled on the stove top and one or more burner switches got wet, the stove will click until the liquid on the switch or switches dries up (normally within a day).
If all the surface burner knobs are turned off, no spills occurred on the cooktop and the stove clicks constantly, you’ll likely need to replace a bad igniter switch. You may also need to replace a burner switch if spilled liquid permanently damaged the switch and the clicking continues for days.
Follow the tips in this article to find and fix a problem with a bad igniter switch.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A gas stove clicks when an igniter switch is stuck in the "Lite" position, burner knobs are not fully turned off, or liquid spills on the burner switches. Wet switches typically dry within a day, but permanent damage may require replacement.
- If clicking persists, test individual burner switches or replace the entire igniter switch assembly, depending on your stove's design. Follow safe procedures to unplug the stove, disconnect wires, and identify the faulty part.
- Ensure power and gas are disconnected during repairs. If uncertain about performing the steps safely, schedule professional repair services to avoid risks.
Check the Replacement Part for Igniter Switches
Many ranges include all burner igniter switches in one assembly that includes the wire harness. Check the parts list diagram for your range to see whether individual igniter switches are available.
Igniter Switches Only Available as a Complete Assembly
If individual igniter switches are not available for your stove, you’ll likely need to replace the igniter switch assembly to fix the problem with your gas stove clicking constantly.
Individual Burner Igniter Switches are Available
If individual burner igniter switches are available, then you’ll need to use the process of elimination to find and replace the faulty switch.
- Unplug the stove and access the burner switches (see the illustrated procedure below).
- Disconnect the wires from the burner switches one switch at a time.
- Tape the ends of the disconnected igniter switch wires to keep them from shorting against metal inside the stove.
- Briefly plug the stove power cord back in to determine whether the ticking noise stopped. Don’t make contact with any exposed wires while plugging the power cord back in briefly to check for clicking. Have a service technician perform this test if you’re not completely confident that you can safely conduct it on your own.
You know that you’ve found the faulty burner igniter switch when the stove tops ticking as you plug the power cord back in and the ignition system doesn’t click.
How to Access the Gas Stove Burner Switches
Follow this basic procedure to lift the cooktop and access the burner igniter switches in your gas stove.
1. Disconnect Electrical Power and Shut Off the Gas Supply
Unplug the stove power cord to disconnect electrical power.
Close the gas supply shut-off valve.
2. Remove the Burner Heads
Allow the burners and grates to cool if you’ve recently been using the stove.
Remove all the cooktop grates and then lift the gas burner caps off the burner heads.
Using a 1/4-inch nut driver, remove the screws that secure the gas burner heads in place. Remove the burner heads from the cooktop.
__ Pro Tip:__ Mark the burner caps with a note indicating their location (Left Front, Right Front, Left Rear, Right Rear).
3. Remove the Cooktop
Remove the screws that secure the top of the cooktop to the top of the burner orifice holders.
Release the front cooktop locking clips: Position a slot screwdriver or stiff putty knife between the front of the range frame and the cooktop, about 3 inches from the side of the range. Push the tool straight into the gap and lift slightly to release the clip that holds that side of the cooktop. Repeat for the other side.
Lift the front of the cooktop and then carefully remove the cooktop without disturbing the burner orifice holders. Set the cooktop aside.
4. Remove the Surface Burner Control Manifold
Open the oven door fully and remove the screws that are under the control manifold.
Pull the control knobs straight off the stems of the gas burner control valves on the front of the control manifold.
Remove the screw that's behind each clip on top of the control manifold.
Lift the control manifold off the gas range. (Take care to not lose the mounting clips, which are loosely attached to the top of the control manifold.)
You now have access to the burner switches.
Replace the Bad Burner Switch
If your range has individual replacement burner switches available you can test and find the bad switch causing the constant clicking with the manifold removed.
Don’t make contact with any exposed wires when plugging the stove power cord back
Replace the bad burner switch and reassemble the stove to fix the clicking problem.
If you’re not completely confident that you can safely complete this procedure on your own, schedule stove repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to find and replace the bad burner switch.
Replace the Burner Switch Assembly
When the replacement burner switches are only sold as a complete assembly along with the wire harness, follow these steps to replace the burner switch assembly:
1. Release the Igniter Switches from the Burner Control Valves
Pull the spark igniter switches off the front of the burner control valve stems.
2. Locate the Spark Module and Disconnect the Burner Switch Wire Harness
The spark module may be on the back of the stove or mounted on a side panel. Trace the wire burner switch wire harness to the spark module.
If you find the spark module on the inside of the stove side panel, disconnect the burner switch wire harness from the spark module and remove the burner switch and wire harness assembly.
If the burner switch wire harness disappears to the back of the stove, remove the rear stove panel to access the spark module.
Disconnect the burner switch wire harness and remove the burner switch and wire harness assembly.
3. Install the New Burner Switch and Wire Harness Assembly
Push the new burner switches onto the burner control valve stems and connect the burner switch wire harness to the spark module.
Reassemble the stove using the reverse order of the above procedure.
Plug the stove’s power cord back in and open the gas supply shut off valve.
You shouldn’t hear the constant clicking after replacing the bad burner switch or the entire burner switch and wire harness assembly.
If you’re not confident that you can complete this procedure yourself, schedule stove repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my stove from clicking?
A faulty burner ignition switch is causing the constant clicking. Find and replace the bad ignition switch to eliminate the clicking. On some stoves all of the ignition switches and their wire harness must be replaced as one assembly because individual burner switches aren’t available as a replacement part. Unplug the stove and shut off the gas supply before accessing and replacing internal stove parts. If you’re unable to find and replace the bad burner switch on your own, have a service technician complete the diagnosis and repair.
What does it mean when your stove is making a clicking noise?
The clicking noise indicates that a burner switch is stuck in the “Lite” position. In rare instances, a spill can short out a burner switch or switches to cause the clicking. Let the spilled liquid dry up on the burner switch and the clicking may stop. If you didn’t spill anything on the cooktop or control valve manifold, or the clicking continues after more than one day (giving the spill ample time to dry), then you’ll need to find and replace the shorted burner switch to stop the clicking. On some stoves, the burner switches are only available as a complete set along with the wire harness. You’ll need to replace that entire assembly to stop the clicking in that situation. Have a service technician repair the range if you’re unable to access, test and replace burner switches on your own.
Is a clicking stove safe?
A stuck burner ignition switch that is causing the stove to click constantly is safe to use until your replace the bad switch. The electric current that goes to the igniter electrodes is low-voltage DC current that doesn’t pose a serious electrocution threat. Unplug the stove when it isn’t in use and replace the bad burner ignition switch or have a service technician fix the stove as soon as possible.
Will my stove stop clicking on its own if it’s wet?
Most of the time, yes. The stove will stop clicking when spilled liquid on the burner switch dries and stops shorting out the igniter switch. If the stove top keeps clicking for days, then the switch is likely permanently shorted and you’ll need to replace the bad switch. For many ranges, the individual burner switches aren’t available as a replacement part. You’ll need to replace the entire burner switch and wire harness assembly in that situation to stop the ticking.
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