That cheap gas range igniter almost burned my van down

I picked up a universal igniter kit from a flea market in Newark for $8 last month. Installed it on a Frigidaire range, worked fine for two days, then the wiring harness shorted and started smoking inside the control panel. Learned the hard way that those no-name Chinese modules don't have thermal fuses or proper insulation - spend the extra $15 for a supco or whirlpool part or you'll be replacing the whole board.

2 comments

2 Comments

jones.angela2d ago

You ever actually crack open one of those flea market igniters? I did after mine failed. Bare wires just twisted together with electrical tape inside. No heat shrink, no strain relief, nothing. The cheap plastic housing melted around the terminals. Those Chinese modules skip all the safety stuff to hit that $8 price point. I ended up having to replace the whole control board anyway when the short zapped it. Spend the $20 for a genuine part, it's not worth your van.

wright.jesse2d ago

Considered the fire risk from cheap plastic melting inside your wall cavity yet?