Wolf Range Cooktop Troubleshooting : Igniter, Spark Module and MicroSwitch

[@bobgold1000]

Today I fixed my Wolf range's ignition problem! I must say "Thanks Sam!" because your video gave me the courage to tackle this project. Let me tell you and everyone else who might be interested in it on how it went. My original problem was one of the ignitors was not generating sparks across the tip to to meet with the gas. It instead sparked across the base. I thought the ignitor's connection was loose so I took out the wire and reconnected it. It didn't work. Then in the process of handling the wire, I found the other end of the wire came out! I was sure I didn't tug it. Through the gaps of the cooktop, I couldn't see any obvious connectors for the wire, which is quite short. But I knew the connector must be in the back of the oven due to wire's short length. But this involves pulling the oven off the wall. I wasn't sure if I wanted to take on that. Then I went to the Wolf Range Parts List and from the drawings I saw the oven sits on 3 back wheels and 3 front legs. That gave me the confidence of pull the oven. Since the oven has no easy place to grab to, I used a strong rope to go around the 2 front legs. I and my wife pulled the rope with 30degree angle so more weight went to the back wheels. We managed to pull it off the wall fairly easily. The rest was easy- I found the 6-point spark generator module on the back and indeed one of the terminals was open. I crimped the wire connector, which was very loose, and reconnected it to the module. I turned on the gas, turned on the faulty burner and it worked! This means the ignitor itself is fine. The 'weak' spark was caused by a loose module-to-wire connection, which resulted in higher-resistance contact. I hope my experience can provide some insights to other homeowners who want to be hands on and save some $ too. Thanks.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Nicely done! Was it as easy to get back into place?

[@bobgold1000]

@@Samlol23_drrich Yes, it was easier than pulling out. The key is go slow and go straight. Since the oven is a tight fit into the marble countertop, it must be pulled at a right angle to avoid cracking the countertop.

[@cypress2020]

Thank you for sharing your extensive troubleshooting. First I checked the microswitch since that seemed the easiest part to access. Sure enough it was totally blown. This video saved me a lot time finding the culprit! Thanks again.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thanks for the nice comment. I wish I knew there was a microswitch before I took everything apart! Even though I changed the wire and igniter, if I had to bet on it, I would bet that the switch was my issue as well since mine had intermittent continuity until i cleaned the leads. I wound up buying a few extras from eBay that I have saved in case any of them fail in the future. Thanks again.

[@Andrew-jq3qb]

I have been searching for any instructions on diagnosing a similar issue on my Wolf, finally this video shows a full walk through on basically my same model, thank you so much

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@@Andrew-jq3qb if you call my nonsense “diagnosing”! (But I’ll take it! ). Thanks for commenting to let me know. That’s what keeps me motivated. Hope you can get it fixed. Edit. I just looked and have the 92 page service manual as a pdf. If you need it let me know and i can send it to you if you can’t find it online

[@Andrew-jq3qb]

@@Samlol23_drrich I was able to find that, but it just isn't the same as watching someone go through the trial and error of checking each piece, it'll save me a lot of time thanks!

[@Andrew-jq3qb]

@@Samlol23_drrich My issue is that my spark won't stop even after the flame is lit. I've cleaned it thoroughly, and even swapped electrodes with another burner but the problem remains. I've researched that the thermocouple may be the culprit, but it's odd that it works enough to keep the gas valve open but not to stop the spark module. I need to test that next.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@@Andrew-jq3qb I understand but the switch sends a signal to the spark module. If it's normally opened and stays closed it will keep sparking. If it's not the switch, it must be the spark module.

[@ckoehl12]

Thanks for this video Sam. It helped me isolate my problem to the micro switch. I appreciate you keeping in the trouble shooting even when they weren't the root cause. It really helped me think through and isolate my issue.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Glad it helped. Thanks for the kind words. I wound up buying 2 or 3 switches on ebay and not even using them (yet). It's been working fine since I made the video and cleaned the contacts. At least I've got them now for when I need them!

[@michaelmeyer7867]

Fabulous video. Of course, I have neither the skill nor the patience to disassemble the entire ignition system as did Sam. But the video informed me about the possibility that a dirty microswitch might have gotten stuck and caused the continual clicking/sparking of the igniter when the burners are all turned off. So, without taking anything apart beyond removing the red burner control knob I wiped off some dirt around the microswitch with a Q-tip and, more importantly, used an aerosol spray contact cleaner originally bought to clean multiple contacts in my decades old stereo system, and - voila! - problem solved (so far). Hopefully it will stay solved. Thanks for the help.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Awesome! Of course you can get to the microswitch easily. Just pull off the knobs and there are only the 2 screws on the bottom left and right corner of the stainless face plate. Just pull out the grease catching shelf and after you take out both screws (see 32:27) the entire stainless front will flop forward onto the Shelf revealing all the micro switches. Then you can really spray that contact cleaner to your hearts content. Thanks for commenting!

[@willw2596]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey in fixing the problem. It's extremely instructive. You're awesome!

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thanks very much! Glad it helped.

[@tcorker11]

Wow. You just saved me 2 days worth of troubleshooting. My issue was identical and I would have gone through everything you went though. Because of the video I went straight to the microswitch, clean it and bam it worked!

[@Samlol23_drrich]

How could I not “heart” your comment? Thanks for letting me know and glad it’s working. I’ve got 3 extra switches in my drawer- never even needed the one. But when I do……

[@tcorker11]

@@Samlol23_drrich was like watching mystery documentary ;). Every step you took is exactly the path i was going to head but did not know where everything was located. I was so glad to see the ending . The switch which i did not know was even there made perfect sense as the igniter was fine when the back burner was igniting. But when I used the front burner knob the igniter was intermittent. I was scratching my head as to how it could be knob specific unless it was the module which I also did not know the location. Great video

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@@tcorker11 I was as surprised as anyone to see there were microswitches behind the front panel. I usually kick myself that I didn’t make a video after the fact- this time I decided to let the camera record as I was trying to figure it out. There are certain things the “pros” don’t make videos showing us laypeople how to fix, and this Wolf range was one of them. That’s why as a non expert I decided to put the video out there. I got lucky and it worked. Thanks again for commenting.

[@rmp608]

Thank You!!!!! I owe you a cold beer......better yet a case of beer!!! Saved me ton of money... have the exact issue with my Wolf cooktop.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I'm glad my horrible video actually helped you out! Thanks for the really nice comment that made my day

[@clutteredchicagogarage2720]

Thanks for the video! I have a different problem with my Wolf range. I think there's a mechanical problem with the stem of one of my knobs, and I have to replace the actual inside of the mechanical knob assembly (not just the plastic knob on the outside). It was helpful to watch someone take apart a different model to think about how best to take mine apart to get access.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

You probably need the entire burner valve assembly. I think it’s one part. Here is the service manual. Good luck. www.appliancefactoryparts.com/content/pdfs/215131-1.pdf

[@edbrown1759]

Thank you for a great in depth video. Have the same problem with my wolf rangetop. Will try the front micro switch first.

[@xiaosu8123]

Very smart move. Thanks a lot. It is a very helpful show. I am going to work on mine now.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Good luck. If I could be of any help feel free to ask here and I'll try to answer

[@HHIto]

Nice Rolex (Rolesor) Submariner! This a serious man, pay attention to him.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@@HHIto I try to tell my wife that but somehow it doesnt work.......

[@ahassan3557]

@@Samlol23_drrich😂

[@boandersen2895]

I have the exact same one. Question: On the 6 ignitors, there is a tiny push-on metal band. A couple of those have rusted way on mine. Are they needed? If yes, where do I get such, please? Regards, Bo

[@Samlol23_drrich]

If it’s working I would leave it alone. You most likely can’t buy part of the igniter. So it’s $100 each for the parts and then you have to install them like I did here. Not worth the effort and cost if everything works. Thanks for commenting.

[@bobgold1000]

Thanks so much for your video, which you shared your detailed, and sometime painful, experience. I have the same model and the same problem. As you said the problem can be with the ignitor, the microswitch, or the controller box. The challenge is to isolate them. I saw another video where the guy took out the ignitor wire and try to spark it to a metal surface. If it sparks then it is the ignitor issue. If not, it is either the microswitch or the controller. To isolate, remove the microswitch and do a continuity test, as you have shown. I will try to fix it by myself. Wish me luck.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

That's interesting- testing the igniter by running the wire to a metal surface. I didnt see that one and I thought I searched them all! Good luck- after going through it my money Is on the switch.

[@embwee]

Great video because all the false starts are kept in..so we can "stand on the shoulders of greatness." Did you confirm that if any one of the burners still work that it's not the igniter control box?

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Nothing great about my shoulders- except that they possibly have more hair than my head. . Well it's been working perfectly since I made this video 11 months ago. Unfortunately the only issue I have had with the cooktop is this one, so I'm not sure whether an ignition box fault would affect all the burners or just one (I think that was your question). Hopefully I never find out! Anything I would say would be 100 percent guess, and I'd hate to be wrong on someone else's dime. I would say replace the cheapest parts first, and swap what you can to test the igniters, switches and wiring. Thanks for the kind words though.

[@PlayaBluffHotelBocas]

Great video. I had similar problem where the right front burner has weak sparks. The small screw holding the micro-switch was so tight and I could not get it off and ended up stripped that tinny screw. You were able to unscrew it so easily. I had to cut the screw off to remove the bad switch. I temporarily taped the new switch back on. I might have to replace the whole knob assembly. Do you have any suggestion?

[@jpfreez]

Hey Sam where did you purchase the lighted goggles/

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I can't live without them! So first I got some cheap ones that were awful. Here are the glasses (I've got 3 different magnifications. I've got 2x, 2.75x and 3.5x. The 2.75 X is the most universal. The less they magnify the further away you can work. So 3.5x you need to be like 6" away from what you are doing. Below are the lights sold separately. OptiVisor Optical Glass Binocular Magnifier 1.75x a.co/d/3kqEO3N The light Quasar Led Lighting System for Optivisors | ELP-558.00 a.co/d/2SGrqBQ

[@jaskant]

Amazing video. Thank you so much

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thanks so much. Made my day!

[@Samlol23_drrich]

It depends on whats remaining. So the screw stripped (ive had that happen hundreds of times). So how did you get the switch out? Did you cut the head off and now the headless screw is sticking out like a post? You may need to retap the hole. Or fill it in witb epoxy and let it harden then screw a new screw into the epoxy

[@ThomasSmith-zy4gi]

I struggled with my old Wolf range also. Wish I had seen your video first. Wondering who you got replacement igniter from. Not many suppliers out there.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I dont remember exactly but there were plenty of places. If in doubt there is ebay too.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

did you swap the microswitches? Maybe just a switch getting stuck and either some wd40 or a new switch would fix it ( Although they make lubricant for contacts). Is it continuing to click regardless of which burner you use? I have to assume it is not. Since you said you swapped out wires. swap out the switch to a "good" burner And if the good one then has that issue it's not the spark Module

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I'm answering my own post because I don't feel like editing. I didn't see initially that you said only one burner was clicking. So see if this switch is the issue. It's definitely within this video. Maybe the little prong that pushes the microswitch has a little grease or is sticking. I would check and lubricate That entire area. When you take the front panel off, you'll be able to see more clearly how the switch button gets pushed. So make sure it's popping back. And not physically pushing the switch for an extended period.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I misspoke at around 2:50. The igniter isn’t pulled out through the bottom, it’s pulled up and out through the TOP of the burner assembly. You need to take the burner off and flip it over to get to the retaining ring and spring holding it in, though.

[@Phuong.Nguyen-]

Thanks for sharing ❤😊

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thanks for commenting!

[@AndyNguyen-s8n]

good job. i like your video.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thank you I like your comment.

[@ehmc8888]

Thanks for sharing

[@MrXjumpman]

Where did you order your parts? Looks like Mine micro-switch is not working, I need to change the MQS-216T mircroswitch

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I was able to fix my existing one. But I bought two oem ones on eBay. It was the only place I could find ones that werent knock offs for a fairly reasonable price. I got two just in case I need them.

[@PaultheCanadian]

Thank you!

[@MaximizeEvolution]

I’m getting no ignition, the handyman did something to it to stop the clicking instead of cleaning it

[@Samlol23_drrich]

On any of the burner tops? No clicking at all?