Whirlpool Water Heater Igniter Not Sparking: How to Fix It

A Whirlpool water heater is a reliable and efficient appliance that provides hot water for various purposes, such as bathing, washing, cooking and heating. However, sometimes a Whirlpool water heater may not work properly due to various reasons.

One of the common problems that may affect a Whirlpool water heater is the igniter not sparking. This can result in no hot water or insufficient hot water production.

In this blog post, we will explain why a Whirlpool water heater igniter may not spark and how to troubleshoot and fix this problem.

What is a Whirlpool Water Heater Igniter?

A Whirlpool water heater igniter is a device that produces a small spark to ignite the gas burner in the water heater. It is part of the pilot assembly that consists of a spark electrode, an igniter wire and an igniter switch.

The spark electrode is a metal rod that extends into the pilot tube and has two terminals on its end.

The igniter wire is a thin wire that connects the spark electrode to the igniter switch. The igniter switch is a button that activates the spark electrode when pressed.

When you hold down the pilot switch on the gas valve and press the igniter switch repeatedly, a small spark should ignite the gas in the pilot tube and light up the pilot flame.

The pilot flame then heats up a thermocouple, which generates a small electric current that keeps the gas valve open and allows gas to flow to the main burner.

When the thermostat detects that the water temperature in the tank is lower than the set point, it signals the gas valve to release gas to the main burner and the pilot flame ignites it.

Why a Whirlpool Water Heater Igniter May Not Spark

A Whirlpool water heater igniter may not spark due to various reasons, such as:

A tripped circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is a safety device that protects the electrical circuit from overload or short circuit. If there is too much current flowing through the circuit, the circuit breaker will trip and cut off the power supply.

This can happen due to faulty wiring, faulty appliances, power surges or other reasons. If the circuit breaker for the water heater is tripped, it will prevent the water heater from getting electricity and may affect the igniter function.

A faulty igniter switch

An igniter switch is a device that activates the spark electrode when pressed. If the igniter switch is broken or worn out, it may not send enough voltage to the spark electrode and cause it to fail to produce a spark.

A faulty spark electrode

A spark electrode is a device that converts electrical energy into heat energy and produces a spark to ignite the gas. If the spark electrode is burned out or damaged, it will not be able to produce a spark and may cause no ignition.

A loose or broken igniter wire

An igniter wire is a conductor that carries electrical current from the igniter switch to the spark electrode. If there is any loose or broken wire in the circuit, it may cause a poor connection or an open circuit that interrupts the power supply. This can happen due to corrosion, wear and tear, rodents or other reasons. A loose or broken wire may also cause sparks or fire hazards.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Whirlpool Water Heater Igniter Not Sparking

If your Whirlpool water heater igniter is not sparking, you can try to troubleshoot and fix it yourself by following these steps:

Step 1: Check the Circuit Breaker

The first thing you should do is check the circuit breaker for the water heater in your service panel (breaker box). Make sure it is not tripped and is in the ON position. If it is tripped, simply reset it by flipping it OFF and then ON again. See if this solves the problem.

If the circuit breaker trips again, there may be a problem with the wiring or the appliances connected to the same circuit. You may need to call a qualified electrician to inspect and repair your electrical system.

Step 2: Check the Igniter Switch

The next thing you should do is check the igniter switch on the water heater. Make sure it is not broken or worn out. You can test it by using a multimeter and a screwdriver.

First, shut off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box. Then, remove the access panel and insulation from the side of the tank. You should see the pilot assembly that consists of a spark electrode, an igniter wire and an igniter switch. The igniter switch is a button that has two wires connected to it.

To test the igniter switch, disconnect one of its wires and touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal of the switch. Set the multimeter to volts (V) and check the reading. It should be close to 120 volts when you press the switch and zero volts when you release it. If it is not, replace the igniter switch.

Step 3: Check the Spark Electrode

The next thing you should do is check the spark electrode on the water heater. Make sure it is not burned out or damaged. You can test it by using a multimeter and a socket wrench.

First, shut off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box. Then, remove the access panel and insulation from the side of the tank. You should see the pilot assembly that consists of a spark electrode, an igniter wire and an igniter switch. The spark electrode is a metal rod that extends into the pilot tube and has two terminals on its end.

To test the spark electrode, disconnect its wires and use the socket wrench to unscrew it from the tank. Then, touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal of the spark electrode. Set the multimeter to ohms (Ω) and check the reading. It should be between 10 and 30 ohms, indicating resistance. If it is not, replace the spark electrode.

Step 4: Check the Igniter Wire

The final thing you should do is check the igniter wire on the water heater. Make sure it is not loose or broken. You can inspect it visually and by using a continuity tester.

First, shut off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box. Then, remove the access panel and insulation from the side of the tank. You should see the pilot assembly that consists of a spark electrode, an igniter wire and an igniter switch. The igniter wire is a thin wire that connects the spark electrode to the igniter switch.

To check the igniter wire, look for any signs of corrosion, wear and tear, or damage. If you see any, replace the igniter wire. You can also use a continuity tester to verify that there is a complete and unbroken electrical path between the spark electrode and the igniter switch. If there is not, replace the igniter wire.

Conclusion

A Whirlpool water heater igniter not sparking can be a frustrating problem that affects your comfort and convenience. However, you can try to troubleshoot and fix it yourself by following the steps we have outlined in this blog post.

You may need to check the circuit breaker, the igniter switch, the spark electrode and the igniter wire to find and fix the source of the problem. If you are not comfortable or confident with DIY water heater repair, you may want to call a professional plumber or electrician to help you out.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Whirlpool water heater igniter not sparking:

Q: How do I light a Whirlpool water heater with an electronic ignition?

A: To light a Whirlpool water heater with an electronic ignition, follow these steps:

• Turn off all hot water faucets in your home.
• Turn the gas control knob on the water heater to OFF and wait for 5 minutes for any gas to clear.
• Turn the gas control knob to PILOT and press it down firmly.
• Press and release the igniter switch repeatedly until you see a spark and hear a click.
• Keep holding down the gas control knob until you see a steady blue pilot flame through the sight glass. This may take up to 90 seconds.
• Release the gas control knob and turn it to ON.
• Set the thermostat to your desired temperature.

Q: How do I reset a Whirlpool water heater?

A: To reset a Whirlpool water heater, follow these steps:

• Turn off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box.
• Wait for 10 minutes for the water heater to cool down.
• Turn on power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box.
• Check if the water heater is working properly.

Q: How do I clean a Whirlpool water heater?

A: To clean a Whirlpool water heater, follow these steps:

• Turn off power and gas to the water heater at the circuit breaker box and the gas valve.
• Drain the water from the tank by attaching a garden hose to the drain valve and opening a hot water faucet in your home.
• Remove the access panel and insulation from the side of the tank and disconnect the wires from the heating elements.
• Use a socket wrench to unscrew and remove the heating elements from the tank.
• Use a wire brush or a vinegar solution to scrub and remove any sediment or scale from the heating elements and the tank.
• Rinse and dry the heating elements and reinstall them in the tank. Reconnect the wires to the heating elements.
• Refill the tank by closing the drain valve and opening a cold water supply valve. Let some water run through a hot water faucet in your home until there is no air in the pipes.
• Turn on power and gas to the water heater at the circuit breaker box and the gas valve. Relight the pilot flame if necessary.
• Replace the access panel and insulation on the side of the tank.

Q: How long does a Whirlpool water heater last?

A: The lifespan of a Whirlpool water heater depends on several factors, such as the type, model, usage, maintenance and water quality. Generally, a Whirlpool water heater can last between 8 and 12 years. However, you can extend its lifespan by performing regular maintenance, such as draining, flushing and cleaning the tank, replacing the anode rod, checking and replacing