Cold as ice. As cold as ice to me.

March 23, 2009 4:46 PM

The oven portion of our gas range went from being fine to dead inside. Made baked potatoes one night, next night I turned it on and it wouldn't heat up at all. The burners still work fine. I reviewed some literature about repairing it myself, but I'm trying to decide if it's a good idea.

It's not a fancy range-- no self-cleaning or anything like that. It has electric ignition for the burners and a built-in timer/digital clock but that's it. We don't know how old it is because it came with the house. But it is ghastly dead.

I have previously repaired a dishwasher and a washing machine by replacing parts, but I've never opened up an oven. I have never tested electric parts with a multimeter and don't own one.

Do you, handywomen and men, think this sounds typical of a specific part failing? Do you think I can fix this without spending an entire precious saturday swearing in my kitchen? If no, does it make more sense to find a repair person or just replace the unit? I am adverse to spending money, but it seems like repairing inexpensive appliances is often less cost-effective than paying for their repair. I live just outside of Boston, Massachusetts if it matters.

posted by Mayor Curley to home & garden (12 answers total)

It sounds like your pilot light went out. If you lift up the floor of the oven you should be able to see the burner and the pilot light.
If there isn't a little flame in the pilot you need to re-light it. You should be able to find instructions for your model on the google.
posted by dolface at 4:56 PM on March 23, 2009

Is the oven portion also gas, or is this a dual fuel oven? If gas, When you turn on the oven, does the gas come on but not ignite (as if the electric ignitor weren't sparking) , or does nothing at all happen? If so, is it it operated by a mechanical dial or electronic buttons?
posted by dersins at 4:59 PM on March 23, 2009

Is the oven portion also gas, or is this a dual fuel oven?

gas too.

If gas, When you turn on the oven, does the gas come on but not ignite (as if the electric ignitor weren't sparking) , or does nothing at all happen?

Nothing happens.

If so, is it it operated by a mechanical dial or electronic buttons?

It's a dial.
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:04 PM on March 23, 2009

I'm still going with pilot light; ovens have a thermocouple that won't allow gas out unless the pilot light is on (so you don't t blow up your kitchen).
posted by dolface at 5:09 PM on March 23, 2009

Is it possible that turning the dial isn't turning the... whatever it's called... the axle thing? I had this happen on a gas stove once. I pulled off the dial and discovered that a piece of the plastic had broken off and the dial was no longer making the... ummm... axle thingy turn. I called the landlord (the only advantage of being a renter) and he replaced the dial with one that wasn't broken. The oven worked again. The dials didn't match, of course, but who cares, right? Don't know if that's your problem, but it might be worth pulling off the dial (they're designed to be pulled off at put back on) to find out.
posted by dersins at 5:11 PM on March 23, 2009

Gas ovens are not my specialty, but this seems like a plausible explanation.
posted by jon1270 at 5:32 PM on March 23, 2009

http://www.ehow.com/how_2279389_relight-gas-stove-pilot-light.html
from google
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22light++a+gas+stove+pilot%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

If the pilot light is out, it is not sufficient to turn the oven on and toss a match at it.
The goog also has pointers to deeper diagnostics.
posted by hexatron at 5:36 PM on March 23, 2009

The shortened google pilot light url:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22light++a+gas+stove+pilot%22
(yeah, I am using Firefox, google)
posted by hexatron at 5:39 PM on March 23, 2009

Newer ovens often don't use a pilot but have an electric igniter. I replaced the igniter on our Amana brand oven a few months back -- not too hard once the screws were loosened, and the only tool needed was a cross-point screwdriver. The replacement part was about $60.
posted by anadem at 5:49 PM on March 23, 2009

the range has electric ignition and doesn't have a pilot light.

anadem, I had seen the Dave's Repair link earlier, but I'm weary of replacing the ignitor and then finding out that it wasn't the culprit. How did you know it was the ignitor that needed replacing?
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:17 PM on March 23, 2009

I fix everything I own, almost.

While somewhat comfortable with gas appliances, I've been doing crap like this for 35 years and still would not attempt certain types of repairs without appropriate equipment.

If you can't resolve this with a simple pilot light reignition, I highly recommend AGAINST further work yourself. Malfunctioning gas appliances should be serviced by knowledgable techs with liability insurance. "Almost" can get you killed.

Honestly, I usually recommend otherwise.... being a fix-it-yourself kind of guy. Safety first in this case.
posted by FauxScot at 5:07 AM on March 24, 2009

I fixed the oven (months ago now) by replacing the ignitor. The part was 23 bucks including shipping on ebay.
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:27 PM on August 2, 2009 [1 favorite]