Amana RST, RSS Operation And Service Procedures, Bake And Broil Ignitors, Electric Gas Valve

OPERATION AND SERVICE PROCEDURES

TO AVOID THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH DISCONNECT POWER BEFORE SERVICING, UNLESS TESTING REQUIRES IT.

BAKE AND BROIL IGNITORS

The bake and broil ignitors are mounted to the bake and broil burners and ignite the gas flowing into the burner. During a broil or manual bake operation, current flows through the ignitor, gas valve, selector switch, and thermo- stat to neutral. As the ignitor starts heating up and glowing, its internal resistance decreases allowing more current to flow through the bake or broil circuit. When the circuit current reaches approximately 3.2 - 3.6 amps, the bi-metal arm in the gas valve flexes, opening the valve, allowing gas to flow to the burner where it is ignited by the glowing ignitor. The ignitors will glow anytime the bake or broil burners are in operation and cycle on and off with the thermostat cycling contacts.

The operation of the OVEN/BROILER "ELECTRIC IGNI- TOR" can be checked by using a VOLT/OHMMETER as follows: NOTE: This check must be made while the ignitor is at ambient room temperature.

1.Disconnect electricity.

2.Set the volt/ohmmeter on the RX1K ohms scale. (Zero the meter.)

3.Remove ignitor from burner.

4.Remove ignitor lead wire nuts and disconnect ignitor leads from range wiring.

5.Connect ohmmeter leads to ignitor wire leads.

6.If the meter indicates continuity (a low resistance reading), the ignitor is operative. NOTE: The cold ohms. However, this test is for continuity without a dead short (zero ohms).

The ignitor may still be defective even though conti- nuity is indicated and it glows when the oven is set for bake, broil, or clean function. A more exact test can be made to measure the ignitor current with the oven operating. An ammeter should be inserted in series

with one (1) lead of the ignitor or an amprobe can be attached to the lead to check the amount of current flowing through the ignitor circuit. With the oven turned on and the ignitor glowing red, a current reading of approximately 3.2 - 3.6 amps should be indicated. The ignitor can also be removed and bench tested, using the current test method and an AC jumper or test cord connected to the ignitor leads.

ELECTRIC GAS VALVE

The bake and broil dual gas valve supplies the gas flow to the bake or broil burners. The valve contains be-metallic arms attached to the valve seats and are wound with a small electric heater coil. When a current range of approximately 3.2 - 3.6 amps flow through the bake or broil circuit, the bi-metallic arm is heated causing it to flex or bend, allowing gas to flow to the burner where it is ignited by the burner ignitor. The gas valve is located behind the storage drawer.

ELECTRIC GAS VALVE TEST WITH VOLT/OHM METER

1.Disconnect electricity. (Disconnect plug or power cord.)

2.Remove the two (2) wire terminals from Point A for testing "BAKE" portion of gas valve or Point B for testing "BROIL" portion of gas valve.

3.Set volt/ohmmeter on the RX1 ohms scale (zero (0) the meter).

4.Attach a meter lead to each of the terminal studs on the portion of the valve to be tested.

5.If the meter does not show an "OPEN" circuit. The gas valve is operative.

6.Reattach the two (2) wire terminals removed form Point A or Point B on the gas valve.

RC231002 Rev. 3 70