Tried to start my refrigerator yesterday on gas, and it wouldn't start. I heard a clicking sound a few seconds after I turned it on.....but never would start. Tried it several times. Didn't try it on the AC side. Any ideas? Don't know the model, but it's a single door Dometic in a 07 Fleetwood Southwind. Thanks......and Happy Thanksgiving too.BrianJust went over and fixed it.......don't know what I did to fix it...but it works. I took the back cover off, and blew hard near the burner....went up and fired up one of the cook top burners..waited a few minutes and turned the refrig on AC....I had the generator and engine running.......I couldn't tell if the refrig was on or not...but the reset button didn't lite up....so I assume it was working..I next switched over to gas and it lit off. I tried it a few different times with the generator running and off, making sure it would switch from AC to gas and no problems......so if anyone needs any help fixing their refrig, just let me know, I'm an expert...NOT LOLThanks for all the info Brian

Get the stove to work and then try it several times.

Does the other propane items work? Range top? Water heater?Is the gas turned on? Are trying to operate it on auto or propane setting?

supercub wrote:Tried to start my refrigerator yesterday on gas, and it wouldn't start. I heard a clicking sound a few seconds after I turned it on.....but never would start. Tried it several times. Didn't try it on the AC side. Any ideas? Don't know the model, but it's a single door Dometic in a 07 Fleetwood Southwind. Thanks......and Happy Thanksgiving too.BrianFirst see if it will indeed run on 120vac, cuz if it won't and doesn't have 12vdc feeding it as well, it won't run on either.Consider running an inverter circuit behind the fridge, so that you can run it without gas, going down the road, genset running or not. Also should be good for one night of dry camping if needed and you turn it on right before bedtime. I did so and built an auto circuit for both power sources as well, even though not necessary if you don't mind switching your plug-in-cord back and forth between the two outlets.When the fridge finally craps out, replace it with an inexpensive residential unit and at this point, the electrical work will have already been done.

I had the same problem and tried lighting the stove but found that running the furnace first cleared out any air that might have been in the line and the refrigerator started up after that.

Sorry, I should have added, yes, I lit the stove first and and also had the furnace running, so gas was on and shouldn't have been the problem.Brian

Dometic Refrig won't start on Gas FOLLOW UP | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

Lobstah
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
enblethen wrote:
Yes, remove exterior access cover. In lower right corner of the refer there could or should be two protective covers. There may only be one if it was not involved in the big recall.

There was a recall on Dometic units?

Jim
dmcgiffin
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
I had the same problem while dry camping. Got home and decided it was the thermocouple - removed it and used a fine sandpaper to clean it. Got my air compressor and blew out the entire unit then re-installed the thermocouple. Not one problem now for four months.
ron1492
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
Blow out the tube, could be a spider web in there. It happened to me, blew it out and it worked great.
btd35
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
Ok so you've got power to the spark module cause it's sparking. Now you need to see if the gas valve coil is working. Turn it on again so it is sparking. Take a screwdriver tip and touch it to the top of the gas coil. (not dangerous, no electricity there) It will be magnetized if it is indeed energized.
Next, do you smell gas at all. If you do, then look for debris blocking the flame tube where the gas comes out. There is a tall exhaust stack above the flame tube that often rusts which falls down into the flame tube diverting the gas from the spark, and or the flame thermocouple bulb. If you can, remove the flame tube and dump it out. I would almost guarantee there is some rust in there. While you have the tube off, poke a thin wire into the jet to be sure it is clear as well. Put it together, and try it again. Sooner or later this happens to all RV refers.
Crazy_Ray
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
Clean it.Gas orifice is dirty. JMO
cross_country
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
if the pilot lights and then goes out, it may be the thermocouple which is positioned over the pilot flame. It may be sooted or dirty , in any case not getting hot enough to open the gas valve. The heat produces a voltage which activates the gas valve. It is a safety feature.
enblethen
Nomad
Nov 28, 2013
Yes, remove exterior access cover. In lower right corner of the refer there could or should be two protective covers. There may only be one if it was not involved in the big recall.
Hank_MI
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
enblethen wrote:
Check the burner area for debris. It is possible that some debris is blocking the flame sensor.
Have helper turn on refer while you watch the flame area.
Smell to see if there is propane flow. Listen for the gas valve to energize.

Ditto. Dirt and rust get in the igniter area and keep it from igniting the propane. You can get to it from the outside, remove the vent cover.
enblethen
Nomad
Nov 28, 2013
Check the burner area for debris. It is possible that some debris is blocking the flame sensor.
Have helper turn on refer while you watch the flame area.
Smell to see if there is propane flow. Listen for the gas valve to energize.
supercub
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
Sorry, I should have added, yes, I lit the stove first and and also had the furnace running, so gas was on and shouldn't have been the problem.
Brian

Forum Discussion

Dometic Refrig won't start on Gas FOLLOW UP

24 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Dometic Servel RGE400 fridge too cold

Dometic 2-Way fridge repair issues

refrig

Dometic Refrig ?

Dometic refrig question