My gas fire igniter has stopped "clicking" ie doesn't light the fire. I can ignite the fire by removing the glass front and placing a lit match to the gas but no proper control from the switch. Is their a battery inside the control switch that needs changing or is this a thermocouple problem?

Alex, March 2010

Your igniter may well be a Piezo Electric device... a spring loaded hammer strikes a crystal and the crystal generates a high voltage which causes a spark. They sometimes break down mechanically and the hammer no longer hits the crystal. You can sometimes repair them (rarely) and sometimes buy a replacement unit.

Hand held Piezo ignighters for gas cookers are inexpensive (£3 - £5) and easier than matches. Amazon have several on offer up to £12

Peccavi, March 2010