04/44 Ignition
Viking Re-Ignition: What It Does and How It Fails
The circuit that re-sparks a burner by itself when it senses the flame has gone out.
- Written by
- Hollis Yamada
- Works on
- Service technician — refrigeration and cooking
- Experience
- 21 years in the trade
- Published
What re-ignition does
Re-ignition watches each lit burner: Viking’s service notes describe a module that sparks the electrode whenever no flame is sensed there. On the 5 Series and 7 Series ranges Viking calls it the SureSpark ignition system, with automatic re-ignition on every burner. You notice it only when a flame dies and the burner relights itself. It shares the circuit that lights the burner: the spark module and the electrode.
How it fails here
The common fault is sparking beside a flame that is plainly lit. Viking’s service manual links continued re-ignition to a defective spark switch, an electrode out of line with the port, a poor ground or a failing module; in Issaquah, damp around the electrode belongs on that list. Rarer is a burner that goes out and stays out. Draughts matter too: a big hood on high in the open kitchens of Issaquah Highlands can pull a simmer flame away with nothing broken. When electrodes and switches keep failing in the same room, see igniters that keep failing in a damp kitchen.
Signs and thresholds
| What you notice | The line it crosses | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Burner re-sparks now and then at its lowest setting | Only with the hood on high or a window open | The system working as designed; turn the hood down or close the window. |
| Keeps sparking with a steady flame on the burner | Carries on once the cooktop is clean and dry | Switch, electrode position, ground or module checked in turn. |
| Flame goes out and the burner does not relight | Happens on a burner that normally re-sparks | Turn the knob off and have the spark circuit tested. |
What you can do yourself
- Turn the hood down a step and close any nearby window, then try the lowest setting again.
- If a flame goes out and does not relight, turn that knob off at once and air the room before trying again.
- Stop there. Anything past this is a job for Viking Repair Issaquah — call (425) 920-9484.
When to call
Call when a burner keeps sparking beside a steady flame on a dry, clean cooktop, or when a burner fails to relight after its flame goes out.
Call (425) 920-9484Asked about the automatic re-ignition
Why does my Viking burner click while it is already lit?
The re-ignition circuit thinks the flame is gone. A draught, a tilted cap or damp around the electrode can cause that, and so can a worn switch or poor ground. If it keeps clicking once the burner is clean and dry, Viking Repair Issaquah tests the circuit; call (425) 920-9484.
How can I tell whether my Viking range has re-ignition?
The use and care guide for your model says so; on the 5 Series and 7 Series ranges Viking names it the SureSpark ignition system. A clue in daily use: a burner that clicks and relights itself after a gust has it. Viking Repair Issaquah confirms from the model number; call (425) 920-9484.
Is continuous re-sparking dangerous?
The sparking itself is not, but it wears the spark parts and a burner that keeps losing its flame should not be left unattended. If the flame goes out and does not relight, turn the knob off. Viking Repair Issaquah traces the cause on the visit; call (425) 920-9484.
