Summit Side burner ignition problem


 
J

Joe DeCarolis

TVWBB Member
Hi All - Have a Summit S-670 grill here. The problem is the igniter isn't lighting the side burner. I replaced the tubular igniter module itself and I'm still not getting a strong enough spark to jump the gap. The electrode gap itself isn't adjustable, there's a clip holding the porcelain in a fixed position. Not sure what could be wrong, but could the ground connection be corroded so it's a high resistance? This is a pretty simple system, anyone have the same problem and find the solution?
 

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Joe DeCarolis said:
Does anyone know if there is a specification on how wide the gap should be?
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No, but I have found that increasing the gap usually is more productive than decreasing it. Seems counterintuitive, but the bigger gap produced a bigger spark. Obviously, there is a point of diminished returns as well by increasing the gap. However, I have solved more "poor ignition" issues by increasing the gap, than decreasing it.
 
I moved the electrode closer to the burner (maybe about 1/16" gap) and get a weak spark that isn't even strong enough to light the burner. If the gap is any bigger than that, I get no spark at all.
 
Sounds like you need a better ignition source. You shoul be able to get 1/4" jump.

Try hooking an old style piezo igniter up to the leads for the burner and see what kind of spark you get.
 
I did put in a piezo out of my other Weber grill and still nothing. That's why I think that something is wrong with the way its grounded. Maybe next step is to disassemble the ground system and clean everything up.
 
OK It's been a while since I started this thread and tried everything that was suggested and a lot more, still no resolution. I installed a new Weber branded ignition kit with new wires specifically for Summit as well two other replacement piezo ignitors and still no spark. Also disassembled the burner and cleaned all surfaces so that I would get a good ground. Also tried changing the gap bigger and smaller, no spark. Checked all wires and connections with a multi meter and everything checks out with low or no resistance, but still no spark. If I turn the gas on and light with a match, the burner lights immediately with a strong flame. I guess I can live with the manual lighting but it just bugs me that I can't fix the ignitor system. Anyone have this problem and find a solution? At this point it has to be something out of the ordinary.
 
Only thing I can think of is a short in the system. I don't know a lot about the Summit ignition system but it is similar to the other newer grills. What I would do is remove all the electrodes and ground wire from the grill and test to see if each will jump to the ground wire (usually white) on the ignition module. If you get spark, then the module is good and it is a problem with the wiring hookup on the grill. If you cant get the spark to jump from the igniter electrodes to the ground, then I would concentrate on the module.
 
I finally found the problem with my Summit side burner ignition system. I share it here in case someone else runs into this issue. As you can see from the 2 photos attached, the porcelain insulator around the electrode was broken just below the lip on the porcelain. I noticed that when I took it apart, but because the break was perfect, and not having seen one before, I just thought it was supposed to be like that. That was further reinforced because the replacement ignition kit also had the insulator broken in the exact same spot. Might be a design weakness. When the electrode wasIMG_4368.jpg in place,IMG_4369.jpgthe gap in the porcelain was open and the spark was "leaking" out through the gap. Once I replaced the porcelain sleeve the spark jumps from the end of the electrode and lights the burner every time. Tada!
 
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