Gas hot water heater won't spark to light ignite pilot light

Rheem Delta 650. Has the gasket seal so you can't go old school & light via match. When you hold the pilot switch down for a full minute then push down on the ignitor it doesn't even produce a spark. Gas is turned on. It's about 8 years old. Buddy told me the black plastic ignitor can be pushed up out of the dial apparatus & be replaced. Is this true? Sound like a fix?