Frigidaire Gas Range won't light

12 years ago

Hi folks - not sure if this is the best forum for this question, but here goes:

I have Frigidaire Gas Range (model FGF378ACE). I have burner that will not light. More details:

- Unit is about 9 years old - impeccably clean.

- 4 burners total, all light up except the one in question - which happens to be the larger burner of the 4, and the one we use most often.

- Electronic ignition to all 4 burners works - can see good spark.

- Burner will light easily with match/lighter - and stays lit indefinitely. Good control from low to high.

- Burner itself is very very clean (I would say looks brand new. There is no buildup of dirt, grease, crud anywhere.

One thing I do notice is that on the other burners, directly over the spark plug, there is some flame. In fact, upon lighting, this flame above the spark plug actually lights first, then lights the rest of the burner, and stays light.

On the burner in question, when lit with a match, the burner is lit fine all the way around, except there is no flame in the pocket about the spark plug.

I can't for the life of me figure out what is causing this.

Any insight greatly appreciated.

Best -

Brad in MA

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Comments (6)

weissman
12 years ago
It sounds like the burner is dirty - at least the gas holes near the ignitor. Depending on the type of burner you may need to unclog the holes - possible with a paper clip.
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aprince
12 years ago
You can also use alcohol and a Q-tip to clean the igniter.
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grasswhisperer
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the replies - but the burner is completely clean - there is nothing to unclog.

The spark seems to be exactly as all the other sparks that work, therefore I'm not thinking this is a spark issue.

Somehow, there seems to be no gas emerging above the spark itself. With there being absolutely no sign of any buildup anywhere (the burner looks brand new) - I cannot figure out what would be causing the issue.
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weissman
12 years ago
You said even after you light it manually, there's no flame above the spark - that implies that gas is not getting through the hole in that area - that means the hole is clogged - even if the burners looks clean, there's probably gunk in that hole - can you get at that hole - you may have to remove the burner ring and try unclogging that particular hole.
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grasswhisperer
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I have tried cleaning the burner and ceramic plate and still no difference. I can see the little hole that is designed to allow gas into that small chamber for ignition - it really appears to be completely clear and exactly like the other burners.

This is the larger, "power" burner. Although I thought was operating fine once lit with match, I'm wondering if it actually is. That is, despite it being the larger burner, I wonder if the high flame is not as high as it used to be when new. In addition, when this burner is all the way down on lo, it flutters a bit - seamingly random holes in the burner so again don't think it's a debris/dirt issue in the burner holes. In short, I'm wondering if I'm getting enough gas flow through this orifice.

The orifice looks clear and I'm told that it is unlikely that anything would have happened to that (again assuming a clean stove that did not have any debris-spreading incident.)

Also perhaps the stem valve could be the cuplrit? I'm wondering how to systematically diagnose - that is, what would be tell-tale signs that this is an orifice and/or stem valve issue?
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HU-831238822
3 years ago
I have had the same issue with my stove. I read posts today of all of yours & found them helpful. Having already scrubbed the burner & cap three times without any improvement. I decided to look further inside to the port where the gas comes from. Upon closer examination. I saw a white build up inside the port that look like oxidation from 15 years of using this stove. I used a fine steel pick to scrape the inside of the port.

i reassembled everything & lit it? Perfect flame. I tried 3 more times. Again perfect flame. I tried later that same evening? Same results.

So, there was oxidation on mine that caused my issue. Not to say everyone’s problem/solution is the same? It might be worth a try? If you don’t have the same pick as mine? Try a pin needle attached to a needle nose pliers or better yet a vise grip pliers.

I hope this was very helpful? I do thank everyone else for their suggestions.
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Frigidaire Gas Range won't light

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weissman

aprince

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Frigidaire Gas Range won't light

Comments (6)

weissman

aprince

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grasswhispererOriginal Author

weissman

grasswhispererOriginal Author

HU-831238822

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GET HELP

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grasswhisperer
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grasswhisperer
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