GE Range/Stove/Oven JGB860SEJ6SS - Left Front XL Burner not igniting

[crisco]

Issue #1 - Burner does not ignite

I have had this gas unit since 2018. The left front XL burner is very hit and miss when it comes to igniting. When I turn the knob, gas is released and the electrode will spark not from the electrode tip to the cap (as it should), but rather to the burner base. The others spark from the electrode to the cap and light just fine. Since there is some play in the XL burner base and cap, sometimes I can turn it slightly and get it to light that way, but not always.

Things I have done.

- I have cleaned the burner base and cap. There is no hole through which the gas travels just a slot at the top part of the base.

- I have replaced the electrode/igniter connection for that burner with an original GE OEM part (WB18X26985 in unopened GE packaging ).

Neither of these has worked but it may be related to Issue #2 below.

Issue #2 - Two other electrode/igniters will also spark when I try to ignite the front left XL burner I am having issues with (Issue #1).

When I turn the valve to the LITE setting of the left front XL burner, the left front burner electrode/igniter will spark AND both the right front and right rear burner electrode/igniters will also spark as though they are trying to light (three will spark at the same time). No gas is emitted from those other two when that happens since I am not opening those other valves. The sparks stop when I turn the valve on the XL burner away the "LITE" setting (either OFF or a flame setting).

I am thinking it is the spark module (WB13X24741), but I am open to suggestions.

Thank you.

[crisco]

REVISION to Issue #2: The other three electrode/igniters will also spark when I try to ignite the front left XL burner I am having issues with (Issue #1).

[citizenX]

It is normal for all ignitors to spark when turning on any burner as they all share the same spark module. This is by design and most gas stoves do this.

As far as when an ignitor sparks down instead of up as yours is doing, it is usually because of a bad path to ground at the burner/burner cap (or broken ignitor insulation).  The spark will normally jump up to the underside of the burner cap but if there is not a good ground path due to crud, grease, rust, or the ceramic insulator on the ignitor is cracked, the spark will travel to the next closest ground. Since you already replaced the ignitor, I would check to make sure the burner cap is making good contact with the burner itself. There are usually little contact points on the burner that the burner cap sits on that competes the ground path to the cap. Make sure there is no oxidation or rust on the underside of the cap and on those contact points. If the burner caps rotate on this unit, then you can simply push down on it a bit as you turn it back and forth to scuff up the underside of the cap and those contact points. You can also use some sand paper or a wire brush to rough up the points of contact, just make doubly sure there are no steel fibers or debris caught in there as that will ground out the spark. That, or grease/gunk build up, are typically what causes this issue but I would also check the wiring where it connects to the ignitor to make sure it is tight and not chafed or cut. You can also try swapping the wire to another burner and see if the problem follows it. If it does then it could still be an issue with the spark module or the wire but the majority of the time the problem is a bad ground contact (in my experience anyway). Make sure the stove is properly grounded as well. 

[crisco]

Thank you for the detailed response. I will try what you suggested and post the results soon.