Forum Discussion

teebarjake's avatar
teebarjake
Explorer
May 29, 2013

Fridge shutdown problem

Hi I need help with a fridge problem. I purchased a 2002 Expedition by Fleetwood last fall. It had a new fridge. We spent the winter in it full time with no problems. On my way home the fuel shutoff switch went bad. we unloaded it and a month later we had it repalced. When it came time to use the fridge the pannel would not respond. I took it in and they reset the pannel, after using it for a week we were on our way home and the fridge shut down again. The service dept says we need to prplace the fridge. I have a problem believing that we don't have some other problem to adress. Can any one Help???

20 Replies

  • If it is not leaking then the fridge does NOT need to be replaced. All the electronics are replaceable and a lot cheaper than the cooling unit or a whole unit.
  • Hi teebarjake,

    Absorption fridges do not have freon in them, but rather a nasty combination of Ammonia
  • teebarjake wrote:
    Hi I need help with a fridge problem. I purchased a 2002 Expedition by Fleetwood last fall. It had a new fridge. We spent the winter in it full time with no problems. On my way home the fuel shutoff switch went bad. we unloaded it and a month later we had it repalced. When it came time to use the fridge the pannel would not respond. I took it in and they reset the pannel, after using it for a week we were on our way home and the fridge shut down again. The service dept says we need to prplace the fridge. I have a problem believing that we don't have some other problem to adress. Can any one Help???


    The fuel shut off switch is for the propane at the fill location. When this switch went bad the fridge quit working due to no propane. The dealer replaced the switch and we didn't try to restart the fridge until later and the pannel would not lite up or respond, they then reset the pannel of for the fridge saying it had an over heat error code. But the fridge wasn't used after the propane quit for it to ever overheat, and now it works for a while and then shuts down with the same code, they say it is not leaking freon.
  • Hi,

    If the fridge is toast, move to a residential unit and add some solar panels.
  • If is a Norcold there is a way, that you can reset it yourself. Do a search for "norcold reset procedure"
  • Not just the model, but is it a Dometic or a Norcold?. There should be a troubleshooting section in your refrigerators manual which should have been with your coach when you brought it. In addition to that, there are several troubleshooting guides on line. Chris Bryant's RV site has several manuals available.

    And don't believe a RV shop telling you that you need a new refrigerator!!! If you look closely in their eyes as their lips are moving, you will be able to see the $$$ signs! They make a big profit on those items. And before I put that kind of money into my rig, I'd consider installing a residential refrigator myself, but that is a entirely different topic. Find a mobile RV repairman. They are often much better than RV dealers when it comes to fixing stuff!!!
  • Normally the only time fridge replacement is warranted is when you have lost coolant or the coolant has significant blockage - that doesn't sound like your issue.

    Providing fridge model number may help others with your problem. Also - what is "fuel shutoff switch"?