How to Troubleshoot a Kenmore Gas Oven That Won't Heat

ID: 207234

Description: [youtubevideo|la6zVmDeUp0]Use this guide to...

Steps:

  1. Verify other gas appliances in your home operate to confirm household gas flow.
  2. Make sure the range is plugged into a working outlet because the igniter needs electricity.
  3. Shut off power and gas before disassembling to avoid shock or fire hazards.
  4. Light each surface burner and confirm a steady flame to prove gas reaches the range.
  5. If no flame is present, a supply or regulator fault must be corrected before servicing the oven.
  6. Set the control to Broil and watch for the upper igniter to glow and produce heat.
  7. Failure of both bake and broil can point to a defective safety valve or control board.
  8. Select Bake and look through the lower grate for a bright orange glow from the igniter.
  9. No glow almost always means the igniter is defective and requires replacement.
  10. Roughly ninety percent of no-heat calls are traced to a failed bake igniter.
  11. Open the door slightly and locate the metal locking tabs at the hinges.
  12. Use a flat screwdriver to pry each tab down toward the door.
  13. Push the door toward the oven, lift up, then pull it away to remove it from the chassis.
  14. The latches may slide back in during removal and need minor adjustment.
  15. Unscrew the two rear thumb screws securing the floor panel; use a screwdriver or vice grips if rusted.
  16. Lift the panel up, slide it back, then pull it out while clearing the front lip.
  17. Take out the two screws at the front edge of the baffle.
  18. Pull the baffle up slightly and slide it out to reveal the burner bar and igniter.
  19. Remove the two screws on the right side of the burner bar that hold the igniter bracket.
  20. If access is tight, take out the burner bar screws and lift the bar free for better clearance.
  21. Trace the igniter leads to their harness or splice point inside the cavity.
  22. Disconnect the plug or cut the wires midway to preserve the factory harness.
  23. Keep the power cord unplugged while handling conductors to avoid electric shock.
  24. Choose a replacement igniter that visually matches the original style.
  25. Secure it to the burner bar with the original screws and any supplied heat shield.
  26. Route excess wire away from the flame path and sharp edges.
  27. Strip insulation from both old harness leads and new igniter leads.
  28. Twist like-colored wires together and secure each pair with a high-temperature ceramic wire nut.
  29. Gently tug each splice to confirm a tight connection.
  30. Position the burner bar on its rear and front mounting holes.
  31. Reinsert and tighten the back wall and front screws to lock the bar in place.
  32. Plug the range into power and set Bake to 350 °F.
  33. Confirm the igniter glows cherry red within one minute and flame appears within two minutes.
  34. If glow occurs without flame, proceed to valve and amperage checks.
  35. Unplug the range and access the safety valve beneath the oven.
  36. Pull one wire from the bake terminals and read resistance with a multimeter.
  37. Continuity or low resistance means the valve is good; OL indicates replacement is required.
  38. Always work with power disconnected to prevent electric shock.
  39. Clamp an amp meter around one igniter lead and set the meter to the 20-amp range.
  40. Restore power, select Bake, and observe or record the amperage.
  41. A healthy igniter draws 3.0-3.6 A; readings below 2.6 A indicate a weak igniter.
  42. Maintain a safe distance from live wiring while measuring.
  43. Test the oven thermostat probe in the upper left cavity for proper resistance.
  44. If all other parts test good, suspect a failed bake relay or trace on the electronic control board.
  45. Seat the flame spreader baffle into the two rear slots and install its two screws.
  46. Place the floor panel onto the front lip, slide it rearward, and tighten the thumb screws by hand.
  47. Slide the door arms fully into the hinge slots on the chassis.
  48. Open the door, flip both locking tabs toward the cavity, and close the door to lock it.
  49. Insert the warming drawer onto its rails and push until it locks in place.
  50. Set Bake again and confirm the oven reaches the set temperature without errors.
  51. The repair is complete when the oven cycles flames normally and maintains heat.
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