Avalon Astoria ignitor

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Dave_S

New Member
Hearth Supporter
Mar 15, 2009
8
CT
How do I test the ignitor on my avalon astoria? I assume that it is just a matter of checking the resistance between the two wires that attach to it. Does anyone know how much resistance there should be? I searched for a tech sheet but am unable to find one online.
 
Hey Dave,

I have the same stove, and if it were me, I'd just run 110v across the two leads and see if it gets hot. This is what the Travis Service manual says to do to test the ignitor:

Faulty Igniter

Make sure the stove has fully cooled (approximately 25 minutes) before conducting service. Unplug the
stove to prevent electrical shock.

Locate the two wires leading from the igniter (they are white fiberglass
sheathed wires - you may need to cut the lock ties holding them in place -
replace the lock ties after service).

Disconnect the leads and attach to a separate hot wire.

Open the door and remove the burnpot. Look into the area behind the
burnpot. Within two to three minutes of hot wiring the igniter, you should
see it start to glow red. If it does not, the igniter is faulty.

If the igniter does glow red, the igniter is functional.

Next, check the wires leading to the igniter.

Locate the two quick-connects leading from the wiring harness to the igniter
(one has a black wire, one has a pair of white wires).

Attach a multimeter set to volts AC to these two quick-connects.

Set the stove to "MANUAL" and press the "MANUAL START" button. Watch the
multimeter to see if it displays 120 Volts. If it does not, the wires are damaged or the
circuit board is not providing electricity to the igniter.
 
UNfortunatly, I don't have a separate hot wire. I guess I could cut an old cord off of something and create one. Seems I could just do step two first. Than I would know that the igniter is getting electricity. If its getting power, and the thing isn't lighting, it must be the igniter?

The thing is still under warranty. I'm going to call the retailer and see if they will give me a new igniter. Replacing it may be the easiest way to check.
 
Dave_S said:
UNfortunatly, I don't have a separate hot wire. I guess I could cut an old cord off of something and create one. Seems I could just do step two first. Than I would know that the igniter is getting electricity. If its getting power, and the thing isn't lighting, it must be the igniter?

The thing is still under warranty. I'm going to call the retailer and see if they will give me a new igniter. Replacing it may be the easiest way to check.

If the dealer will fix it, that would be the way to go. You are right, if you measure 120 VAC directly across the igniter, and it does not get hot, replace it. If you measure 0 volts, or a low voltage, look for wiring problems, or something other than the igniter to be bad. When I say low, remember that 120 +-5% is considered normal (at least by the Power Company that serves my house, and also employs me).
 
This is a little embarrassing. we pulled the igniter and hard wired it to an outlet. It heated up. I put the whole thing back together and turned it on. It lights. It seems the entire problem was that it was dirty. There is a post somewhere saying if its not working clean it and try again. I should have listened.
 
Dave_S said:
This is a little embarrassing. we pulled the igniter and hard wired it to an outlet. It heated up. I put the whole thing back together and turned it on. It lights. It seems the entire problem was that it was dirty. There is a post somewhere saying if its not working clean it and try again. I should have listened.

Sometimes you need to learn the hard way, Next time you clean it first. Hey but the best thing is you fixed it yourself without a service call. Save yourself some cash too!

Now you can have a beer and not feel guilty!

Have fun.
jay
 
AAARG. The stove lit the first time for the evening. After the thermostat shut it off, it did not relight when it was supposed to. I cleaned the stove out, pulled the cap on the tee behind the stove, and shop vacked out the tube with the ignitor in it. I tried again and it did not light. Time for a new ignoter? any other ideas?
 
You know, it started working after you removed and reinstalled the igniter. Just a thought, but you might try cleaning the electrical connections that were removed in order to remove the igniter. Could be a dirty connection, or faulty connection (loose, bad crimp, ect). Do a good inspection of the igniter and all the wiring that has to do with the igniter. Pay particular attention to any wiring that was moved, or disturbed, during the remove and replace operation.
 
I cleaned the connections. No luck. the dealer told me it is likely the ignitor. They gave me a new one. I dropped the screw from the ignor behind the steal plate on the back of the stove. Is there an easy way to get it out, or am I going fishing with a magnet? Is the screw even magnetic?
 
Dave_S said:
I cleaned the connections. No luck. the dealer told me it is likely the ignitor. They gave me a new one. I dropped the screw from the ignor behind the steal plate on the back of the stove. Is there an easy way to get it out, or am I going fishing with a magnet? Is the screw even magnetic?

Yes, I'm guessing you going fishing....and yes, the screws are magnetic.
 
I caught a screw!!!!

The sotve is lighting on the first try. It seems it was the ignitor after all.

Thanks to all who helped me with this.
 
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