GE Spectra JBP30B0B4WH surface unit light stays on

Hi Tricia, I assume this is a GE unit?

Check this link from Appliance Blog that deals with this problem.

Appliance Repair Forums

You most likely need a new control panel.

replace the switch that goes to that light

Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote about the problem of the cooktop light staying on.

Oven Hot Surface Indicator Light stays on heatman101

The burner element that is staying ON is also the same one causing the surface light to stay on.
The switch that controls the element is bad.
Unplug the range. Open the switch control console and replace the defective switch.
Make sure the range is unplugged because of high voltage in the console.

Individual burners, located directly under the cooktop glass, contain a temp sensor which lights up the hot surface lamp when they sense a hot condition. If the light stays on after all burners are cool, one of the sensors has shorted out. The sensors are an integral part of the burner, so the offending burner must be replaced to solve your constant on hot light.

One set of contacts in a surface unit switch is "welded" together, causing the burner indicator (pilot) light to remain on even when all burners are shut off.
With power disconnected to the range, remove the back cover behind the switches and pull one of the wires going from a surface unit switch to the indicator lamp. Make sure the bare wire is not touching anything and reconnect power. If the light goes out (and still goes on when the other burners are turned on) you found the bad switch. If light still on, repeat the procedure with another one of the burner switches (reconnecting the first) until you find which switch is the bad one. (most often it is the burner you use the most, generally the right front burner) If you post your full model number and tell me which switch it is, I can look up the part number for you.

Coffy, if you are talking about the hot surface indicator lights, they are controlled by the limiter on the burner itself. When the burner heats up the limiter closes and sends power to the light (hot surface). When the burner cools the limiter is supposed to open cutting power to the hot surface indicator light. They may be stuck closed. If you are talking about the lights on the back panel, that is controlled by the infinate switch itself. Catriver

I will need the complete model #. There should be a sticker near the bottom front behind the drawer. Can't use the # that is on the owners manual.