Whirlpool Gas Cooktop Igniter Clicks but Won’t Light: Spark Switch Harness Replaced in Fremont
A Whirlpool GLT3657RQ00 gas cooktop in Fremont with an igniter that clicked but would not light the burner. The spark ignition switches were faulty, so we replaced the complete switch harness.
Repair at a glance
| City | Fremont, CA |
|---|---|
| Appliance | Gas cooktop |
| Category | Major Brands |
| Brand & model | Whirlpool GLT3657RQ00 gas cooktop |
| Repair date | |
| Customer complaint | The tenant reported that the igniter clicked, but the burner would not light. |
| Diagnosis | The spark ignition switches on the gas valves were faulty. The switches come as one harness, so the whole spark ignition switch harness needed to be replaced. |
| Repair cost | $448 (parts and labor) |
| Warranty | 6 months on parts and labor |
| Outcome | Repaired |
What we found
The property manager asked us to check the cooktop the same day because the igniter clicked, but the burner would not light. We checked the ignition system and found the spark ignition switches on the gas valves were faulty.
On this cooktop all the switches are connected in one harness, so you replace them together, not one by one. We ordered a new spark ignition switch harness.
How we did the repair
We took off the grates and burner caps, unscrewed the burners and lifted off the white glass top. Under the glass is the burner box with the gas valves, and every valve has a small spark switch on its stem.
We pulled the old switches off the valve stems one by one, put a new switch on each valve and routed the new harness the same way as the old one, away from the hot burner parts. Then we put the glass back, installed the burners, caps and grates, and tested every burner several times.
Result
All burners click and light normally again, and the igniters stop sparking once the knob is turned to a flame setting. The total was $448, with a 6-month warranty on parts and labor.
Parts replaced: spark ignition switch harness.
Photos from this repair
The Whirlpool gas cooktop before the repair. 
Control knobs on the cooktop. 
Grates and burner caps removed. 
Burner and igniter under the glass. 
Glass top lifted off. 
Burner box open: valves and wiring. 
New spark ignition switch harness. 
Gas valves with the spark switches. 
Fitting a new switch onto a valve. 
New harness installed.
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