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Jerry_Amerson1's avatar
Jerry_Amerson1
Explorer
Nov 10, 2015

Fridge gas valve solenoid fried

I'm back with a new problem. This weekend at the races I had the fridge on gas and we got back to camp Friday night and it was off. It apparently has fried the gas valve solenoid cause the two wires from the ignition control module were burned black and melted. I think it also took out a fuse or two cause we lost lights in the bathroom and hallway as well as the fan in the bathroom. We just got back home so I have to check more on what all is bad.

Here is my question, did the Ignition Control Module go bad or did the gas valve solenoid just short out, which is what it looks like.

If any of you have had this happen I would welcome your input and what I should expect to find while trying to fix it.

Thanks,
Jake
Class C
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 12, 2015
    Fires was the main cause for the recalls. I do not believe Dometics went back that far!
  • Jerry_Amerson1's avatar
    Jerry_Amerson1
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2015
    I think you are correct about the short circuit theory I had. After going out just now and looking at the situation again it appears that there was a gas leak at the control valve and it caught fire, because there is soot on the back wall and even as high up as the liquid tank for the fridge. I also have several other wires burnt that are not even associated with the valve.

    Has anyone ever encountered a situation like this. It is very disturbing that the RV could have caught fire because my dog was in there while we were at the race. How would a gas leak be able to catch fire unless the igniter sparked enough to do that. I also don't know why the fire even went out unless the gas detector shut the gas supply off.

    Any help on this problem will be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Jerry
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 10, 2015
    There should not be sufficient amperage to cause wiring to burn. The circuit board or at least the fuse should have given out before the wire insulation.
    I would remove the wiring and test the gas valve coils.
  • Jerry_Amerson1's avatar
    Jerry_Amerson1
    Explorer
    Nov 10, 2015
    It's a Silhoutte by Dometic Model S819 and it is a 1991 manufacturer. I'm sure the burner didn't have anything to do with it cause all the wiring going into the burner is still good. It's only the wiring at the gas solenoid that is totally burned up.

    If I know that circuit the Igniter Control Module gets it's direction from the thermostat and controls the engaging of the Gas control valve and the igniter to start the burner. It appears that the Gas control valve solenoid, which should hold open the gas flow shorted out and in turn melted the two connectors that supply 12v to the solenoid.

    I know I'm going to need another solenoid but was concerned about the Igniter Control Module and if it's still good.

    Thanks again for your help.
    Jake
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 10, 2015
    Make and model of the refer would help. May need serial number later.
    Many RV refers had recalls on fires. Where and how they started hasn't been truly stated.
    I would say that the burner caused failure in the wiring that went to ground. It is possible that the gas valve and circuitry is still good and only the wiring needs to be addressed.

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