Oven and Stove Emergency Checklist | Troubleshooting and Repairs For Technicians
Unplug the oven/cook top or range before testing it. If the appliance is hardwired, turn off the breaker to prevent being electrocuted.
Open the oven door, remove the racks and remove the screws holding the bake (bottom) element in place. Slide the element forward and remove the terminal screws or unplug the wiring from them.
Set an ohmmeter to R x 1 setting and place each probe on each terminal. The continuity reading should be between 95 and 115 ohms. If you're reading is zero, replace the element.
If the element, element terminals or the wiring appears burned, replace them.
Test for a grounded element. Place one probe on the outside of the element and the other on one terminal. It you have above zero continuity, it is grounded and needs replacing. Test both terminals in the same manner for grounding.
Check the top broiler element on an electric appliance in the same manner as you check the bottom bake element. Replace any needed parts.
Stove-Top Elements Not Heating
Remove and test the stove-top elements that are not working in the same manner as the bake element. Replace any stove-top elements that are grounded or have no continuity.
Oven Elements are Okay, But Bake or Broil Isn't Working
If both elements check out okay but the oven is still not heating on the bake or broil function, check the oven selector knob switch on the stove/cook-top/oven.
Pull the appliance out from the wall to create working space. Remove the screws from the back panel and pull the panel away from the appliance gently, so as not to pull on any wiring.
Observe the oven selector switch. It is directly behind the knob on the front of the appliance. It will have two pairs of wires for the broil element and two pairs of wires for the bake element. Either draw a diagram as to what color wire is attached or take a photo with a smartphone or camera.
Remove the two wires for the bake element from the switch. Place the two probes on the switch where the wires were. Turn the selector knob to bake. If there is no continuity and the reading is zero, the oven selector switch needs replacing. Check the broil element portion of the switch in the same manner. If either check of the switch has no continuity, replace the switch with replacement parts.
When you look at the switch, if it appears charred or burned, the appliance parts needs replacing.
Gas Ovens, Ranges Troubleshooting and Repairs
The first items to check on a gas appliance is to make sure it is plugged in, the gas valve is opened and there is gas in the tank.
Unplug the oven and remove the burner to access the igniter in the oven. Remove the screws on the igniter and either pull the wiring harness off of it, or cut the wires if they do not have a plug on them. Plug the wires into a new igniter and replace it with the screws, replace the burner, plug the oven in and turn it on. If you cut the wires, strip the covering back about 1/2 inch and place them in the ceramic wire connectors supplied with the new igniter.
Cleaning out the igniter and burner holes are the easiest and quickest fix for a burner that won't light. Lift up the burner and use a stiff toothbrush to clean the igniter hole from any grease or drippings that may clog it. Press a small piece of metal, such as a paper clip into all of the burner holes to clean them. Replace the parts and turn the burner on.
Test the Igniter Control Module
If the burners still doesn’t light, test the igniter control module by turning out the lights in the room. Turn each burner knob to light for three seconds and quickly turn it off. If you see no sparks, replace the igniter control module. Unplug the appliance first and access the igniter control module behind the make removable metal cover or in a small metal box just below the control panel on the rear of the appliance.
Always replace cook-top parts, oven parts and range parts with the same brand make and model appliance parts.
