GE Gas Oven Igniter Replacement — When Your Gas Oven Won't Heat

The igniter in a GE gas oven works identically to the dryer igniter but operates in a more demanding environment — it must ignite gas in a larger burner assembly and withstand repeated heating cycles at oven operating temperatures. When it fails, the gas safety valve never opens and the oven produces no heat while the burner area may smell faintly of gas as the system attempts ignition.

Oven Igniter vs Broil Igniter

GE gas ranges with separate oven and broil burners have two igniters:

• Bake igniter — at the bottom of the oven, near the rear. Ignites the bake burner for normal oven operation.
• Broil igniter — at the top of the oven cavity. Ignites the broil burner.

Each operates independently. If bake works but broil does not (or vice versa), the failed igniter corresponds to the non-heating function.

How It Works

The sequence is the same as in gas dryers:

1. Board energizes the igniter
2. Igniter heats to approximately 1,800 degrees F (glows bright orange)
3. Current through the igniter reaches 3.2-3.6 amps
4. The gas safety valve opens
5. Gas flows over the glowing igniter and ignites

The entire sequence takes 60-90 seconds from the moment you set the oven temperature. If the igniter cannot reach the current threshold, the safety valve stays closed.

Symptoms

• Oven does not heat — you set a temperature, hear the igniter click on, but no heat develops after several minutes
• Gas smell without ignition — the igniter is marginal: it draws enough current to barely open the safety valve, gas flows but does not ignite because the igniter is not hot enough. This is the most dangerous failure mode — turn off the oven and ventilate.
• Igniter glows but gas does not ignite — visible through the oven floor opening on most models. A bright orange glow followed by no flame after 90 seconds indicates the igniter is borderline or the safety valve is defective.

Diagnosis

View the igniter through the opening at the bottom of the oven (remove oven racks and the oven floor panel if present). Start the oven and watch:

• No glow = igniter is broken (open circuit). Replace igniter.
• Dim glow = igniter is weak, cannot reach current threshold. Replace igniter.
• Bright glow, no gas = igniter is borderline or gas safety valve is defective. Measure amperage: if the igniter draws 3.2+ amps and the valve does not open, replace the safety valve. Under 3.2 amps, replace the igniter.

Part Numbers and Pricing

Step-by-Step Replacement (Bake Igniter)

Safety

Turn off the gas supply at the shutoff valve behind the range. Turn off the breaker. Wait 5 minutes.

Accessing the Igniter

Remove oven racks and the oven floor panel (if equipped — 4-6 screws). The bake igniter is mounted next to the bake burner tube at the bottom rear of the cavity.

Removal

Remove the igniter mounting screw (1 screw). Gently pull the igniter forward. Disconnect the wire connector — it may be a plug connector or wire nuts, accessible through the back of the oven or through the bottom by tipping the range.

Installation

Connect the new igniter wire. Handle the ceramic element by the bracket only — never touch the ceramic. Mount with the screw, positioning the glowing surface facing the gas port on the burner tube.

Testing

Reinstall the floor panel and racks. Restore gas and power. Set the oven to 350. Within 60-90 seconds, you should see the igniter glow through the floor opening, followed by gas ignition. The oven should reach temperature within 15-20 minutes.

---

Gas oven not heating? Our technicians carry igniters for same-day repair and test the safety valve to ensure proper gas flow. Book a gas oven repair