3 of the for gas burners will not light on our stovetop. only one appears to have a big enough spark to light the burner. I have tried cleaning the terminal where the spark comes out. I don't belive this should be as much of a problem. the stove is not that old. Any ideas? How often do the starters have to be replaced completely?

Assuming you have electronic ignition on your stovetop, you may have spilled food onto the burner which has clogged the holes needed to get gas to the spark ignitor. Clean the holes (or slits) and dry them and try again. If they are not dirty, check to make sure you have a spark at each burner. If you have manual pilots, there could be many other problems, like the pilot is not lit, dirty vertical holes (on the burner side) at the pilot tunnel or tunnel is not positioned properly.

either the gas valve for that particular burner isnt opening,or if all burners are like this then the dual valve that feeds the broiler and stovetop has a bad stove top side of valve portion its underneath the oven cavity behind the lower pan drawer

I would make sure you have wiped up all the water you spilled, You may need to take the burners off the stovetop and make sure the tiny little pinholes for the gas to come out are fully dry, Than re-assemble everything and try again.

Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote that will help figure out why the burner spark keeps on clicking...

Gas Range Repair Burners Keep on Clicking
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4033033-gas_range_repair_burners_keep_clicking

heatman101

Electric gas igniters sometimes get stuck in one position causing a clicking sound. The clicking sound that you hear is the electric arc that is pulsing from the igniter conductor (wire) to ground (the gas burner). It receives power from the electrical outlet that the stove is plugged into.
Residue from food and sometimes cleaning products may be preventing the igniter from producing a spark (Arc) to the base of the burner. This is a common problem that occurs when the stove has been cleaned or food is allowed to build up. Make sure that the igniter and the burner base are clean and dry. This will help with proper operation. Oven cleaner and a small tooth brush may be used to accomplish this. Another problem with ignition may occur if you have too little (touching) or too much space between the igniter and the base of the burner; it will prevent the burner from igniting. You should only have a little more space than the thickness of a nickel between the burner base and the igniter. A good “blue” arc from the igniter to the burner base is optimal. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the electric igniter module. Good luck.

there are sparker modules on each burner behind the button, it may be that yours is failed, if you turn on other knob and you see spark at problem burner and still isn't lighting you have to make sure the black or grey tops are paced on perfectly, just give them a little nudge and you have to make sure area is perfectly clean for spark to take effect, spark will go for cleanest area on metal. so ensure area is clean and check burner top

Electric gas igniters sometimes get stuck in one position causing a clicking sound. The clicking sound that you hear is the electric arc that is pulsing from the igniter conductor (wire) to ground (the gas burner). It receives power from the electrical outlet that the stove is plugged into.
Residue from food and sometimes cleaning products may be preventing the igniter from producing a spark (Arc) to the base of the burner. This is a common problem that occurs when the stove has been cleaned or food is allowed to build up. Make sure that the igniter and the burner base are clean and dry. This will help with proper operation. Oven cleaner and a small tooth brush may be used to accomplish this. Another problem with ignition may occur if you have too little (touching) or too much space between the igniter and the base of the burner; it will prevent the burner from igniting. You should only have a little more space than the thickness of a nickel between the burner base and the igniter. A good “blue” arc from the igniter to the burner base is optimal. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the electric igniter module. Good luck.

It works now.After two days of trying, it now works like it should. I'm thinking something needed to dry.

try to clean the burner and then try it.

WHEN CLEANING YOUR BURNERS YOU HAVE PROBABLY MOVED THE IRON TOPS-READJUST AND YOU WILL FIND THE CLICKING WILL STOP.