How to Adjust the Ignition Timing on a Kenmore Stove

Disconnect the stove from its power source or turn off the stove’s circuit breaker. This is a safety measure to prevent inadvertently starting a fire, or being burned or electrocuted while you are working on the stove.

Take the burner grates and caps off of the stovetop, and then unscrew the burner bases to remove them.

Pry the top of the stove off by inserting a slim object like a flat-head screwdriver or putty knife under the bottom of the stove’s top. Pry the top off from both the left and the right side -- as opposed to the front side of the stove. The stove’s clips will release the stove’s top.

Open the front of the stove by raising the stove’s cover. If the cover does not stay up by itself, place a sturdy object next to the cover to hold it open.

Locate the burner that you have previously identified to have faulty igniter timing. Unscrew the bolt that secures the igniter to the burner. Before replacing the burner, check to see if the wiring is loose, as this may be the problem. If the wiring is loose, securing it should solve your problem. If not, proceed with replacing the igniter.

Take the wires out of the older igniter and place them in the new igniter. Transfer only one wire at a time to avoid confusion. Remove the wires by inserting a flat-head screwdriver in the slot that is between the wires and then gently pulling the slot open to release the wire.

Attach all of the wires to the new igniter, and then secure the igniter to the burner by screwing the bolt back in place.

Close the stove’s cover securely and put the burner grates and caps back on the stovetop.

Reconnect the power or turn the circuit breaker back on.