Whirlpool Oven Igniter (74007498)

The Whirlpool Oven Igniter is the component that lights the gas burner in your oven, allowing it to reach and maintain the correct cooking temperature. It works by drawing electrical current until it gets hot enough to open the gas valve and ignite the burner, cycling on as needed to keep the oven at the set temperature. The Whirlpool Oven Igniter can weaken or fail over time due to normal heat exposure, repeated heating and cooling cycles, or electrical faults. A weak igniter may still glow but draw insufficient current to open the gas valve, meaning the oven either takes much longer to heat up or fails to ignite at all. These symptoms can help you decide if the igniter is the source of your oven problem: - Oven does not heat up even though the gas supply is on - Oven takes much longer than usual to reach the set temperature - Igniter glows but the burner never lights - Oven burner lights occasionally but goes out during the cycle - Oven shuts off before reaching the correct temperature - Visible cracks or breaks on the igniter element