If your KitchenAid oven won't heat, the igniter has likely lost its ability to draw enough amperage. It must glow bright white and pull between 3.2 and 3.6 amps to open the gas valve. If it only glows dim orange or not at all, the part is defective and must be replaced.
Here's what I've seen probably a hundred times: the igniter glows, the homeowner thinks it's fine, but the oven still won't light. That glow doesn't mean it's working. These igniters wear out like a battery, and when they can't pull enough current, the safety valve stays shut. Ignore this long enough and you're smelling gas every time you try to cook. Don't do that.
Nine times out of ten, a KitchenAid oven that's slow to light or just won't heat is a weak igniter. I've replaced probably three of these just this week. The silicon carbide element degrades over time, resistance climbs, and eventually it can't pull the amps needed to pop open that gas valve. It's actually one of the more satisfying repairs because once you know what to test for, it's pretty clear-cut.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Weak igniter (low amperage)75%
Burned out or cracked element15%
Faulty gas safety valve7%
Control board relay failure3%
Symptoms You May Notice
You turn the oven on and wait a full minute or two and it never actually lights. Maybe you catch a faint gas smell.
Preheat takes forever, like 20-25 minutes to hit 350°F when it used to do it in 10.
You can actually see the igniter glowing orange, but there's zero flame coming from the burner tube. That dim orange glow is your red flag right there.
The oven heats fine sometimes, then randomly cuts out mid-bake and won't reignite without cycling the power off and on.
Complete no-heat situation, igniter doesn't glow at all even after sitting there running for a couple minutes.
Can you reset a Kitchenaid oven to clear the KITCHENAID-IGNITER-TS code?
After swapping the igniter, reconnect the wire harness plug, set the bottom panel back in, and slide the racks back in. Turn the gas shutoff back on first, then plug the oven in. Set it to 350°F and give it 60-90 seconds. You should see the igniter glow bright white and hear the gas ignite with a soft whomp. Let it run a full 15-minute preheat to confirm it's staying lit consistently.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverDigital multimeter with Ohms settingClamp-on ammeter (2-5 amp range)Flashlight or phone lightWork glovesReplacement igniter (WP98005652 or WPW10291874, verify to your model)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range40–400 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my KitchenAid oven igniter glow but the gas won't light?
This is honestly the most common call I get on gas ovens. The igniter doesn't just light the gas, it also triggers the safety valve to open. Inside that valve there's a bimetal strip that physically warps when enough current runs through the circuit, and that warping is what opens the gas flow. If your igniter's worn out and only pulling 2.8 amps instead of 3.2+, it won't generate enough heat in that bimetal strip to warp it open. So the valve stays shut. Gas doesn't flow. No flame. The igniter looks like it's working but it's failing at its second job.
How long does a KitchenAid oven igniter typically last?
In a typical household cooking a few times a week, you're looking at 5-7 years. But if you're running the self-clean cycle a lot, shave a couple years off that. I tell people only run self-clean when you really need it, not on a monthly schedule. Physical bumps and cleaning spray on the element can also kill it early. I've seen igniters die in 2 years from abuse and others still going at 12 years on a careful owner. It varies way more than you'd think.
Can I clean the igniter to make it work again?
Nope. Don't try it. The igniter is an electrical resistor, not a mechanical part. If it's weak, the silicon carbide material has degraded internally and there's nothing you can do about that from the outside. Cleaning it won't change the ohm reading or the amp draw. And touching it with bare hands or spraying anything on it will probably just kill it faster. The oils from your skin create hot spots on the element. Just replace it, it's not worth the trouble of trying to salvage a worn-out part.
How much does it cost to replace a KitchenAid igniter?
The part runs $50-120 depending on your specific model. Universal igniters are cheaper, OEM KitchenAid parts cost more. If you're hiring someone, expect $200-350 total with labor. It's genuinely one of the easier gas oven repairs, maybe 30-45 minutes if you've done it before. The part number for most KitchenAid gas ranges is WP98005652 or the newer WPW10291874, but double-check against your model number before ordering because there are a few variations out there.
Is a clicking sound normal when the oven starts?
Depends on the model. Most KitchenAid gas ovens use a glow bar igniter and those are completely silent. Clicking from the oven cavity (not the surface burners) when you turn on bake usually means something's wrong, either moisture in the igniter circuit or a bad spark module. A single soft click with no flame following it is probably the gas valve attempting to open but not getting enough current from a weak igniter. Surface burner clicking is normal, oven cavity clicking generally isn't.
What's the part number for a KitchenAid oven igniter?
Most KitchenAid gas ranges use WP98005652 or WPW10291874. Some older models take 4342528 or 9782589. Honestly the easiest way to confirm is to pull the igniter out, look for any numbers stamped on it, and cross-reference with your model number on the Whirlpool parts site. KitchenAid is manufactured by Whirlpool so their parts ecosystem is shared. Your model number is usually on a sticker inside the oven door frame.
Models Known to Experience KITCHENAID-IGNITER-TS Errors
This repair applies to most Kitchenaid ovens with this error code. Common model numbers include: