What can happen if the hot surface igniter is shorted?

When a hot surface igniter is shorted, it alters the normal functioning of the ignition system. The igniter is designed to reach a specific temperature to ignite the gas, and if it shorts out, it can create a direct connection that bypasses the intended electrical pathway. This sudden change in resistance can surge electrical current through the ignition module.

The ignition module, which regulates the power sent to the igniter, may not be equipped to handle the excess current resulting from this short. As a result, the module can overheat or sustain other forms of damage due to the abnormal electrical load. This potential damage jeopardizes the reliability of the ignition system as a whole, making the scenario of a shorted igniter potentially harmful to the ignition module.

The other possibilities do not accurately reflect the consequences of a shorted igniter, as the module would not remain unaffected, and there would not be an improvement in efficiency or a lack of impact on the overall system.