I just installed a new igniter / spark module, model AP2023163 (WB20X107). Several forums confirmed this to be THE 4-wire igniter for GE stoves. It looks exactly like the one I removed.

Problem: it clicks every 20-30 seconds when the stove is off. I tied off the wires when I removed the old one, so that I reconnected the new igniter correctly. As a test, I swapped the 2 output leads - no change. I also swapped the 120v input leads (L & N) - no change. All 4 gas knobs are fully off - they need to be turned all the way ON before the rapid clicking occurs for normal ignition.

So technically, it works - we can cook again without using a BBQ lighter. But the clicking is slow torture.

Is it defective? Is there an installation trick to ground out any stored charge? Are there several close-but-not-quite ignitor modules?

Gene, it's an older cooktop model; the paper has been obscured/degraded by grease & time.
The old clicker is a Harper-Wyman KOOL LITE model 6520, with a 4 mA coil. Through several Internet searches, I cross-referenced it to the GE sparker. The body style is identical.

Regarding polarity: the polarity at the 120v outlet is OK. Inside the stove, I initially wired the L & N terminals on the sparker the same as they were when I removed the old unit. After installation, and discovering the regular clicking (20-30 seconds apart), I switched the power leads (since it's 120v, I wasn't worried about damage). I was thinking that the Line-side could be continuously energizing the coil if the wiring had been reversed somewhere. But the clicking continues, whichever way I connect the 120v wires.

Ditto on the 2 output wires at the other end of the coil: connected them as per original - regular clicking. Switched them - still regular clicking.

Regarding grounding, the outlet is properly grounded back to the breaker panel, and the cord from the stove is the original 3-wire grounded cord. I have not checked the ground connection IN the stove, but will look at this if you believe it's a concern. The old sparker worked fine / normally up until it's demise a few months ago, so I had not considered that something would be wrong with the stove itself (such as a missing or loose ground connection).

Any other thoughts?

PS: sorry about the confusing html/font/punctuation crap in the first post - I do not know how that was added. I'm new to this, and I'm simply typing in the Post box.