I replaced all 3 remaining burner controls because they were all original (mid 1970s GE electric range w/coil burners), and one of the controls occasionally made arcing sounds when cycling the burner on and off. If a control is making odd noises - more than just a quiet metallic clicking
as it cycles - it should be replaced.
I'm assuming you have experience with the tools needed and can do simple mechanical assembly or disassembly, but have not previously worked with electrical equipment of this type.
1. Unplug the range power cord. If the range is hard-wired to a cable, turn off the range breakers or pull the range fuses at the panel. MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE there is no power to the range before you go further.
2. Remove the upper back panel with a nut driver or screwdriver.
Then, for each control being replaced:
3. Following the instructions packed with the new control, break off the control shaft to make it
the same length as the original and, if necessary, use the adaptors provided to make the knob fit the new shaft, and/or to allow the control to be mounted to the panel. In my case, no adaptors were needed.
4. Make sure you are holding the new part with "TOP" marking up.
5. Transfer wires from the old control, ONE AT A TIME, to the same-marked terminal on the new part. DON'T unfasten the old control from the panel yet.
6. For each wire, before connecting it to the new control, I SLIGHTLY squeezed the connector at the end of the wire to make sure that it would tightly grip the terminal on the new control. With electrical devices, a loose connection can do more damage than a short circuit.
7. After all wires are transferred and double-checked, remove the screws holding the old control and discard it and the screws. The old screws may not fit the new control.
8. Fasten the new control to the panel, with "TOP" up, using the smaller set of 2 screws that came with the new part.
9. Make sure the control is in the OFF (detent) position, and slide the knob onto the shaft with OFF at the top.
10. Double check everything, replace the back cover making sure no wires are pinched between the cover sections, reconnect the power, and check the burner operation by placing a pan of water on the burner and setting the control to medium. Before long, you should hear the control cycling the burner off and on to maintain the correct temperature. Turn the control to HIGH, and before long the water should boil. DO NOT leave a bare burner set on HIGH. It's hard on the burner element, and the radiant heat from an orange-hot burner will melt the knobs and trim on the panel, and may start a fire.