Our trailer is only 2 years old. Since new, it would take many attempts to get the refrigerator lit on gas. On the last two trips it would not light at all.I run the gas through the furnace and stove to get the air out and then try to light the fridge. It's not an electronic lighter, I have to hold one button in while clicking the other. When new, I could light it with about 6-8 clicks. Now, nothing.I checked my fuses, in case something electrical might cause this, and they're all good.Any ideas?The hot water heater seems to take a while too, if that's a clue to anything. I have to stand outside and try to light the pilot light for about 3-5 minutes.Thanks for any help.

I'd suggest to deal with one appliance at a time. Similar problems don't always have a similar cause and it can lead to a lot of confusion trying to solve both at once.First, post up what model and year you have for the furnace and water heater. You can include what type of lighting method is used for the water heater as you've done for the furnace. The furnace must have a piezo ignition if it's necessary to manually push a button. Can you hear the snap of the spark or see it when trying to light it? Do you smell any gas smell when trying to light? Just off-hand, most of the piezo igniters I've seen are not that durable. It may be that the igniter has failed but post what brand and model of furnace you have.

I'd be more interested in brand/model of fridge...and water heater.Piezo igniters can be fickle. Not positioned correctly, not the correct gap, cracked ceramic, dirty tip.Could be blocked orifice on gas valve.

Try lighting one burner on the stove and letting it burn for a couple of minutes; this purges the air from the gas lines.

Sorry to have confused things with the water heater. It works, no need to troubleshoot. Just takes a little while for the gas to get to the pilot light.Model Number: N302RM8http://www.amazon.com/Norcold-N302-2-Way-Refrigerator/dp/B008KWPFD2It's a very small, Norcold 2 way. It is 120v and gas, no 12v only option. All of the controls are on the front panel. There are two red buttons, one for gas flow and the other is the ignitor. There is a gauge with a needle that goes up into green when it lights.I'm supposed to put the main switch to gas, hold one red button down (safety button) while I click the ignitor button. I have run gas through all other appliances for at least 5 minutes and then tried. The ignitor clicks loudly.

Take the tube from the gas valve to orifice off and clean the tube and orifice.My guess is they are clogged.Brian

Refrigerator not lighting on gas... | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

gkainz
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
I suspect your gas jet/orifice is partially plugged. Spiders love to clog them up. Cleaning it should be in your manual with your fridge, or google for it. Probably an annual maintenance action.

Check out page 26 in this document on cleaning a dirty burner.
tragusa3
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
The flame was NOT blue, it was definitely orange/yellow.

Are you thinking that my thermostat may be allowing too much gas in? I would believe that, as everything freezes solid on the highest setting (including a gallon of milk).

I'll have to look after work tonight and see if I can see a spark from the ignitor. I did try it with no luck. I assume you mean look through the lighting hole and actually look for a spark.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 23, 2014
OK........

There is no pilot flame....only the main burner flame

Although the flame was high how did it look? Strong, steady and blue or was it yellow?

The amount of gas to the main burner is controlled by the thermostat so turn it down to 4 or 3 and light it again. See if you can get it to stay lit....

Did you try the piezo igniter? Did it spark?
tragusa3
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
If you go from the large brass valve up towards the top of the sheet metal rectangular box, there is a half inch bent lip at the very top of the rectangle. The flame comes out from between that lip and the cylindrical tube chimney.
tragusa3
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
I finally got the back vent partially off.

My wife held in the safety button and I went around back and lit the pilot light with a lighter. It lit right away, but the flame was actually coming about an inch up out of the box through one of the sheet metal seams. As soon as she released the safety valve, the flame would go out.

So I've verified that gas gets to the flame box, but it will not remain lit after the safety valve is released. AND, I don't suppose I'm supposed to see fire out of the box!!!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 23, 2014
Remove the outside lower vent cover
Remove the burner box cover
Turn thermostat setting up to 5
Select 'gas'
Have someone push/hold gas valve safety button in
Then have them push the igniter button several times.quickly

Do you see/hear spark?

No spark.....stop and wait 5 minutes then repeat except using a BBQ lighter light main flame

Does main flame light?

If main flame lights then problem is just with igniter.

Igniter gap between tip and burner should be 1/8"-3'16"
Too close/too far no spark.
Still no spark.....
Replace piezo igniter
tragusa3
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Thanks Brian. Eating lunch and will then go out and try that.

There are two vent accesses to the fridge, I've already broken one of the tabs that hold them on. They won't release no matter how I tug and turn them.
Cobra21
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Take the tube from the gas valve to orifice off and clean the tube and orifice.
My guess is they are clogged.

Brian
tragusa3
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Sorry to have confused things with the water heater. It works, no need to troubleshoot. Just takes a little while for the gas to get to the pilot light.

Model Number: N302RM8

http://www.amazon.com/Norcold-N302-2-Way-Refrigerator/dp/B008KWPFD2

It's a very small, Norcold 2 way. It is 120v and gas, no 12v only option. All of the controls are on the front panel. There are two red buttons, one for gas flow and the other is the ignitor. There is a gauge with a needle that goes up into green when it lights.

I'm supposed to put the main switch to gas, hold one red button down (safety button) while I click the ignitor button.

I have run gas through all other appliances for at least 5 minutes and then tried. The ignitor clicks loudly.
camperpaul
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Try lighting one burner on the stove and letting it burn for a couple of minutes; this purges the air from the gas lines.

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Refrigerator not lighting on gas...

22 Replies

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