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Refrigerator quit working

Flatfive
Explorer II
Explorer II

Five days into our three month road trip our Dometic refrigerator started beeping indicating that the propane flame would not light. We were driving down the interstate at the time. The propane tank was 1/4 full and I have now filled it up.  That’s not the problem. I can hear the igniter clicking. I opened the hatch to see if the spark was occurring somewhere where it shouldn’t. I had that before on a different RV.  That wasn’t it either. Not sure what to do now. Any ideas?

14 REPLIES 14

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II

Awesome, thanks for coming back and updating us. Hopefully now you can get back to the important things like camping.😊

.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

Flatfive
Explorer II
Explorer II

I went to Dometic.com and viewed the service manual. It said that the solenoid for the gas valve should have 44 ohms resistance. I checked it and got infinite resistance. So it’s shot. I went on Amazon and eBay and found several valves for sale which include the solenoid. I wasn’t absolutely sure which was the correct one for my fridge so I called one of the vendors, Michigan RV Outfitters, and spoke to a salesperson and ordered the valve assembly. $175. We’ll see if it solves the problem. Stay tuned. 

Today I received the new Dometic propane valve from Michigan RV Outfitters. $175 including shipping. Turned off the propane at the tank. Also tuned off the fridge which has been running on electricity. Then I took out the old valve and put in the new one. Turned the fridge back on and set it to “gas”. Fired right up! Yay!

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III

Check the control board for a 12 volt fuse. Make sure it is good.

Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II

What if you apply 12 volts straight to the valve. Does it open then?

.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

Flatfive
Explorer II
Explorer II

Now, days later, the fridge continues to run on electricity only. I put a meter on the wires going to the gas valve. It’s a digital meter and it was jumping all over with values from 2 to 12 volts. Then it seemed to settle on 12 volts. The valve didn’t open.

Flatfive_0-1730475488406.jpeg

 

Flatfive
Explorer II
Explorer II

Tonight we’re plugged in to shore power so the fridge is working.  When we get to Edinburg, VA I’ll check the voltage at the gas valve. I figure either it’s not getting power or the valve is bad. 

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II

Along the thought of the propane valve, does the stovetop light and burn?

.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

Yes. Stovetop, oven, water heater all work. 

way2roll
Navigator
Navigator

Lots of easy things to check. Often it can take quite a while for the LP to make it's way through the line. Anytime I attempt to fire anything on LP I light the stove first to ensure I have good flow. Second, is to check if the LP valve is open. They usually close it when filling it. Your Fridge could have something in the ignition chamber like a spiderweb etc. Also could be an issue with the thermocouple. Will it light if you stick an electric match in there?


Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS

IB853347201
Nomad
Nomad

is the valve on your propane tank open?

2010 Suncruiser

Yes. All other appliances work. It was working fine and then started beeping while we were driving on the interstate. 

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III

check the wiring to the gas valve.

Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Flatfive
Explorer II
Explorer II

I fired up the generator and it’s running on electricity just fine.