Forum Discussion

jornvango's avatar
jornvango
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2022

Refrigerator is dead

We have a 2009 Casita trailer with original Dometic fridge. We're full-timers and typically boondock so the fridge uses propane and 12V. Today, out of nowhere, the fridge went dead. The "ON/OFF" button doesn't do a thing. I figure it may be time for a new fridge looking at the age, but, as these things usually break in the worst possible location, I'd like to see if I can get it going again as we're currently in the middle-of-nowhere Alaska for the summer and are not going back to the lower 48 until the end of September and there's no RV repair shop in hundreds of miles here.

Anyone have any troubleshooting steps I can try? I already checked the 15AMP fuse and it's good (that would have been too easy a fix!).

Thanks!
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Aug 11, 2022
    So does that mean you are not getting a flame on the burner? No spark ignitor or anything?

    Could be the main control board... But, seeing where you are, you aren't gonna get one from Amazon anytime soon I'd think?

    No idea on your trailer or model of Dometic fridge and what they came with, but does it have a 120v option?

    You would need a generator to test that, so if you don't have one or 120v nearby to at least test it, no real idea...

    Good luck! Mitch
  • ItsyRV's avatar
    ItsyRV
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2022
    I would start with attempting to jump the "ON/OFF" button.
  • SoonDockin's avatar
    SoonDockin
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2022
    Check that 12v is making it to the back of the fridge. I once had an issue with power not making it from the fuse to the fridge. I just ran temporary wires until I was able to fix it.
  • Roger10378's avatar
    Roger10378
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2022
    You checked the fuse. There are probably more than one fuse, one on the board and one in your 12 volt panel. Which did you test and were you testing for continuity of the fuse or 12 volts at the output of the fuse?
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Aug 11, 2022
    I suspect the board died but don't know much about Dometic fridges. BUT I suggest you search YouTube for "Dometic refrigerator ZZZZ troubleshooting" where ZZZZ is the model. Lots of very helpful material up there. Don't give up on this one until you check the prices on a new one.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Aug 11, 2022
    REALLY need Model number. But, the FIRST thing to check is the Overtemp disc on the side of the flue metal cover. Some have a reset button and some do NOT. But it is very simple to take the 2 wires and jump together. Do this and then see if the refer comes ON. This disc kills ALL 12 volt power to the refer. Doug
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2022
    midnightsadie wrote:
    PULL that fuse They get oxidzed . start at the source batt good etc.

    Just had that happen ! Plus fuse for inspection. GOOD ! Re-inserted and it works.

    When chasing these kinds of problems an incandescent (not LED) test light is better than a meter.
  • jornvango's avatar
    jornvango
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2022
    Looks like it's either Dometic RM2351, RM2451 or RM2551. Unsure how to know which of these three as the Dometic manual schematics in the RV lists these three for what matches what I see at the back of the fridge.

    I tested both fuses on the control board and they're ok.

    I tested 12V power leaving the RV's power center and it's ok.

    When the power arrives at the back of the fridge, the multimeter only shows around 2.9 so not sure if I'm testing it wrong or if there could be an issue for the 12V not reaching the fridge and I should check the cable between the fridge and the RV's power center.

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