Maytag Oven: not lighting consistently

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are you experiencing inconsistent lighting with your Maytag oven? This common issue can manifest as repeated clicking sounds without ignition or delayed lighting during bake or broil cycles. Understanding the potential causes, like a weak igniter or clogged burner, can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Air trapped in gas lines after installation or reconnection can temporarily prevent consistent ignition.

Possible Causes

Weak or failing oven igniter

How to Identify: Igniter glows weakly or slowly, oven takes longer than usual to ignite, or doesn’t ignite often.

Part: Oven igniter

Clogged burner assembly or gas orifice

How to Identify: Visible debris, grease or food particles around the burner area; uneven flame or no flame despite clicking.

Part: Burner assembly / gas orifice

Intermittent gas supply / trapped air in line

How to Identify: Oven may fail to light after installation or reconnection to gas supply; turning on a surface burner may help release air.

Part: Gas supply line / main valve

DIY Solutions

Clean the burner area and igniter

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, soft brush, vacuum or compressed air
  1. Turn off gas supply and unplug the oven.
  2. Remove racks and access the burner area.
  3. Gently brush away debris around the igniter and burner orifice.
  4. Use compressed air or vacuum to clear loose particles.
  5. Reassemble and test ignition.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure gas is off before accessing burner area.

Replace weak or slow glowing igniter

Advanced 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter (optional)
  1. Disconnect power and gas.
  2. Access the igniter according to your model’s service manual.
  3. Test continuity with a multimeter or observe glow quality.
  4. Remove old igniter and install a compatible replacement.
  5. Reconnect and test oven ignition.
⚠️ Safety First: Handle igniter carefully; sensor elements are fragile.

Release trapped air in gas line

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Ensure the gas supply valve to the oven is fully open.
  2. Turn on a surface burner for a short time to push air out of the line.
  3. Try lighting the oven again.
⚠️ Safety First: If gas odor is strong, ventilate and stop work.

Professional Repairs

Ignition system diagnostic and repair

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Gas valve inspection and replacement

Estimated Cost: $200 - $500

When to Call a Professional

Persistent ignition failure after DIY checks and part replacement
You detect the smell of gas or suspect a leak
No clicking sounds at all indicating possible electrical or control board issues

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean burner and igniter area: Debris buildup that can interfere with ignition
    Frequency: every 3-6 months
  • Check gas line connections and valves: Air in line and flow issues
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Oven not lighting consistently?
This could be due to a weak igniter, clogged burner assembly, or intermittent gas supply.
How do I fix Maytag Oven not lighting consistently myself?
You can clean the burner area, replace the igniter, or release trapped air in the gas line.
How much does it cost to fix not lighting consistently?
Professional repairs range from $150 to $500, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not lighting consistently?
If DIY solutions don't work or if you're unsure, it's best to consult a professional.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

70%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty igniter causing inconsistent lighting
  • Clogged burner ports preventing gas flow
  • Defective safety valve not allowing gas to flow

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and replace the igniter. Disconnect the oven from power, remove the bottom panel, and check the igniter for continuity using a multimeter. If faulty, replace it with an OEM part.

  2. Clean the burner ports. Turn off the gas supply, remove the burner assembly, and use a small brush or compressed air to clear any clogs in the ports.

  3. Test and replace the safety valve if necessary. This requires checking the valve for proper operation and replacing it if it does not open when the igniter is functioning.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Maytag double oven starts up intermittently. Tested igniter...

Community Discussions

double oven will only light up intermittently

Both igniters are likely bad and should be replaced with OEM parts.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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