Piezo problem

[Wrinkly Ninja]

There was a short thread about this back in July but it was not resolved.
My 3 week old California has one gas ring that ignites perfectly using the piezo button but since day 1 the other ring whilst receiving gas (checked using a match) will not ignite with it's piezo which has a slightly smaller spark than the other working one.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Contacted a dealer who was pretty vague and talked about getting a specialist in.
Any help appreciated

 

[Loz]

Is the spark small because the gap has closed up or is it just weak?
If it's the gap have you tried moving the electrode?

 

[Wrinkly Ninja]

Is the spark small because the gap has closed up or is it just weak?
If it's the gap have you tried moving the electrode?

Hi Loz...not sure ...the electrode I assume is the little white spigot that sticks up (my technical expertise coming out here!). I haven't dared moving or wiiggling it in case the white ceramic bit breaks.
Haven't a clue about the gap. There doesn't seem to be the same sort of gap that you would get on a car spark plug. Sorry to sound so dumb so maybe just weak...but what would cause that?

 

[DM]

In order for the piezo to work the spark and gas need to come into contact. So either the spark is too small and simply not hot enough, or no gas is coming into contact with it. It is possible that the burner is blocked in the vicinity of the spark. It could be that even though you can smell gas there isn't actually any around the spark. Try very gently making sure the holes in the burner are all clear with a small pin.

As Loz says the other likey reason is that the spark is too small because the gap is too short. In this case the spark duration is too short and it doesn't heat the gas up enough to light it. If it is smaller than the working one then try very gently bending the electrode out with a pair of pliers.

However, if all fails then it is clearly a warranty issue. So back to the dealer and DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. I'm not sure whether the dealers will touch gas fittings. but if they don't then its their responsibility to arange a specialist for you.

 

[Speleo62]

We have the same problem with ours. Just use a gas lighter now. Sometimes it will light sometimes it won't. Will get it looked at when it goes in for a service

 

[Wrinkly Ninja]

In order for the piezo to work the spark and gas need to come into contact. So either the spark is too small and simply not hot enough, or no gas is coming into contact with it. It is possible that the burner is blocked in the vicinity of the spark. It could be that even though you can smell gas there isn't actually any around the spark. Try very gently making sure the holes in the burner are all clear with a small pin.

As Loz says the other likey reason is that the spark is too small because the gap is too short. In this case the spark duration is too short and it doesn't heat the gas up enough to light it. If it is smaller than the working one then try very gently bending the electrode out with a pair of pliers.

However, if all fails then it is clearly a warranty issue. So back to the dealer and DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. I'm not sure whether the dealers will touch gas fittings. but if they don't then its their responsibility to arange a specialist for you.

Thanks DM. There is definitely gas getting to the burner but will still will check the burner holes and will also try the "gentle pliers" method on the electrode.
Already booked in to a dealer for a week Friday with specialist arranged by them so no harm trying to tweak it myself in the meantime

 

[Wrinkly Ninja]

We have the same problem with ours. Just use a gas lighter now. Sometimes it will light sometimes it won't. Will get it looked at when it goes in for a service

It might help to forewarn the dealer as those I have spoken to will not touch the gas system (health and safety etc) so they must get a specialist in to sort it.

 

[BayCatOne]

My igniters just stopped working after cooking a meal and for the next they won’t start. Looking under the bench I see a loose wire, I guess it’s whats making things not working. Any idea where it goes? The manual doesn’t say.

 

[BayCatOne]

Oh, well... never mind. Watched my own picture more carefully and saw where, haha. Step back, breath and look again apparently. Thanks forum!

 

[Julich]

We just came over the same problem with no spark from the piezo burner and the wire was loos. So thx for sorting out this issue not being mentioned in the instruction manual.