If your gas oven will not heat up, not get hot enough, smell gas when trying to use the oven, temperature fluctuates this may be because the oven ignitor is not reaching its full capacity. Many times, someone will see a glow coming from the oven ignitor and believe it is working properly. This method of inspection will not rule out the oven ignitor has failed. The method of inspection outlined ahead will determine whether you need to replace the oven ignitor or not.
Always disconnect power and shut off gas before performing any repairs.
Some gas ranges will have 2 ignitors one for the bake and a separate ignitor for the broil. These instructions will be similar for either but focus more towards the bake ignitor. Most ovens will only have one ignitor. The oven ignitor is usually located under the bottom pan of the oven. Usually to the rear but on some model in the front. To access the ignitor, you will need to pull out and remove the bottom drawer. If you do not have a bottom draw you may have a kick plate cover. This is usually attached with a couple of screws. Remove these screws and remove the kick plate cover.

Now the location of the ignitor varies by manufacturer. The oven ignitor will run along the side of the gas burner tube. The oven ignitor could be rectangular shaped or round. You might not be able to see much of it at this point depending on whether it is located towards the front or back. The photos below show both types along with an illustration of the typical location of the ignitor.

What you want to look for is 2 wires these are usually white cloth type wires. These have a special covering to prevent fires. One wire will go to the control and the other will go to a safety valve. First find the plug to the oven ignitor and disconnect it. Next connect a multi meter to the wires with the multi meter set to ohms on the 1x scale. Next connect one lead to each side of the plug you should have a reading between 75-180. If you, do it is probably good.

Next Follow the wire to the gas valve sometimes covered by a sheet metal cover. Remove the cover so you can see the gas valve. Disconnect the wires going to the safety valve. Connect the multi meter to each contact on the safety valve. With your multi meter set to ohms on the 1x scale you should have a reading of between 1-1.5. If not replace the safety valve. The safety valve is shown in the illustration below. A small gas line will protrude from the safety valve leading to the oven burner tube.

Next look at the safety valve there will be attached a tag that states the amp draw range to open the valve. Remember these numbers this is the range that your oven ignitor must fall between. Generally, in the 3-5 amp range. Next you will take your clamp meter and clamp it around the 2 wires going to the ignitor. Once the clamp meter is in place turn on the power and gas. Next turn on the oven and watch the reading of the clamp meter. It should maintain within the specified range constantly. If it fails to maintain this range replace the ignitor. If it maintains this range your problem is elsewhere.

 

Now if you need to replace the oven ignitor and you can't easily remove from underneath. You will first want to remove the oven racks to have easier access. Next the bottom pan may have a couple screws holding in place. These screws can rust and corrode so be sure to put a good amount of downward pressure when removing them to help prevent stripping out the head. Then you will slide the bottom pan back and lift up and out.

Now you will be able to see the oven ignitor. Unplug the wire connector. Remove the 2 screws.

 

Replace with a new ignitor by re installing the 2 screws and plugging in the wire connector. If the connector did not match your connector use only special ceramic wire nuts for fire safety purposes. Reinstall the bottom pan by tipping at a slight angle and sliding it into the front first. Then lower into place until the screw holes are aligned. Reinstall 2 screws. Put oven racks back in. Turn on gas and power. Try oven.

This troubleshooting solutions covers many models of gas ovens, gas ranges, double ovens, slide in ranges. You will find many manufactures will use the same procedure for repairing the oven ignitor. Admiral, Amana, Asko, Bosch, Caloric, Dacor, Estate, Frigidaire, Fisher Paykel, Gemini, General Electric, Gibson, Hamilton, HotPoint, Jenn Air, Kelvinator, Kenmore, Kitchen Aid, LG, Magic Chef, Maytag, Miele, RCA, Roper, Samsung, Sears, Tappan, Thermador, White-Westinghouse, Whirlpool. This troubleshooting solution for gas ranges will also cover many fault codes f1,f2, f3, f4, f5, f6, f7, f8,f9,