How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6012852 / WP8523793 Surface Burner Spark Electrode

It would have been nice to have a repair manual to show how things are held together. After figuring out that the knob cover had to come off, 3 screws held it on, to access 2 screws that had to come out before the top of the range would hinge open, it was a piece of cake. Everything I found on the internet said that the top would hinge open by prying it up at the front corners with a screw driver, not the case. I had to take a gas line apart that held the burner assembly in so I could get a screw out that twisted off and also get at the screw that holds the igniter in place. The spade connector came apart using a pair of needle nose pliers. Putting it all back together went very well. 

Replaced the igniter 

Replaced the igniter. 

I looked on line for a parts manual, then typed in a part, and this site came up. They had all the parts I needed. I never did a job like this, but the parts manual pictures made it simple, and then this site made it simple to order the parts. All together looking online, and tearing apart, ordering online, then putting it back together, about 3 hours. I do know how to use tools. 

I researched the problem on the manufacturer's Web site and on Appliance Parts Pro's Web site. I figured out the part I needed, and I ordered the part. Using a video from Appliance Parts Pro's Web site, my husband and I took apart the top of the range, and replaced the bad spark electrode with the new one. 

Looked on Appliance Parts website and read others post with similar problems. Order the parts with no trouble. Oven work like new now. Right parts, best price. Wife is smiling, I'm one happy pappy. 

Was kind of easy 

With this model of stove, by lifting the entire top of the stove, and accessing the igniter from below. However, the small screw holding the igniter in place was rusted, and was impossible to turn in place, so I had to remove the entire burner assmbly in order to work with it on a bench vise and soak the screw in PB Blaster. After finally getting that undone, the rest went pretty smoothly, until seeing that the stove's wire terminal was too narrow for the new igniter, so I need to cut that off and replace with a typical size terminal end. The rusted screw made what should be a 15 minute job into something much longer. The parts matched up perfectly, and they arrived the day after I ordered them. 

I watched youtube video and then called Appliance Parts Pros and ordered recommended parts, installed parts and it works great. 

I had to remove the burner covers and unscrew the burners from the top of the stove. Then pulled the top of the stove off from the clips. Once that was done I was able to move the burner to access the screw underneath that held the electrode in. Removed the broken electrode and replaced with the new one. The electrode I received had a different post clip so I had to remove the clip off the replacement and replace with larger one. Put the stove back together and now it works great!