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Fridge won't run on LP - any thoughts?

AK_Kid
Explorer
Explorer
Hi, folks. I recently bought an '07 Winnebago Vista. It has a Norcold fridge that has just quit running on propane, and I could use some insight and suggestions, please.

We've been out on the road for a month. No issues running the fridge off of the LP until today. We stopped at a Wal-Mart early in the day, and I realized as we were loading groceries that the fridge had warmed up some. I checked the indicator lights. Both the green "on" light and the yellow "gas" light were flashing. Turned it off and back on a couple of times, to no avail. I could hear it trying to light - four or five clicks, then a pause, then clicks, then a pause. But the gas never ignited. I went outside and pulled the panel to get a closer look. As soon as I did that and the wife turned on the gas, presto - ignition. "Gremlins," I figured, and went back to loading the chow.

The fridge worked fine on gas most of the rest of the day while we were driving (about 350 miles). Then this evening we stopped an boondocked outside of a casino in New Mexico. Suddenly, both lights begin flashing again. This time I can't get the darn thing to restart. Tried pulling the panel, and I just cant tell what's going on (its dark and the wind is blowing 25-30 mph).

I can tell you that we're perfectly level and that we have plenty of propane. I've lit the burners on the stove and they work fine. But when I try to light the fridge, just clicking and no ignition. Should I try giving her a tune-up in the morning (check burner tube for rust/debris, check ignitor gap, clean propane jet, etc? Thoughts on what I should focus on?

Certainly appreciate any wisdom you folks might be able to impart.
16 REPLIES 16

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
There is NO pilot......flame that lights is MAIN FLAME (Only flame it has/uses)

Spark gap and position are key to lighting main burner
Add a little high altitude (thinner air) and it really is key to lighting
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

AK_Kid
Explorer
Explorer
Old-Biscuit wrote:
AK_Kid wrote:
corvettekent wrote:
So what is the battery voltage at the fridge? It may be to low for the igniter to work properly.



Voltage is fine. Going to try adjusting the gap whenever I have a moment. Blew a radiator hose today, so it was time for a little triage. ๐Ÿ™‚

I should have mentioned this previously. I have also been in the high country of NM and Arizona, between 5500 and 8000 feet. I suppose its possible that the altitude may be a factor?


When you were at Walmart and removed lower vent cover and it lit OK were you at high altitude?

When you were at Casino in NM and it wouldn't lite off were you at High Altitude?

Some have reported issues at high altitudes.
Never experienced and have camped at 7000' for several stays of a week



Yes, all experiences when pilot would not light were at high altitude. But because it lights every single time when I use a lighter, I can't help but think it's the ignitor. Gap not adjusted right or not sparking directly over the gas. I don't know why altitude would be the issue if I'm not lighting the pilot with visible spark and good gas flow.

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
AK_Kid wrote:
corvettekent wrote:
So what is the battery voltage at the fridge? It may be to low for the igniter to work properly.



Voltage is fine. Going to try adjusting the gap whenever I have a moment. Blew a radiator hose today, so it was time for a little triage. ๐Ÿ™‚

I should have mentioned this previously. I have also been in the high country of NM and Arizona, between 5500 and 8000 feet. I suppose its possible that the altitude may be a factor?


When you were at Walmart and removed lower vent cover and it lit OK were you at high altitude?

When you were at Casino in NM and it wouldn't lite off were you at High Altitude?

Some have reported issues at high altitudes.
Never experienced and have camped at 7000' for several stays of a week
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

AK_Kid
Explorer
Explorer
corvettekent wrote:
So what is the battery voltage at the fridge? It may be to low for the igniter to work properly.



Voltage is fine. Going to try adjusting the gap whenever I have a moment. Blew a radiator hose today, so it was time for a little triage. ๐Ÿ™‚

I should have mentioned this previously. I have also been in the high country of NM and Arizona, between 5500 and 8000 feet. I suppose its possible that the altitude may be a factor?

Sillybugs2
Explorer
Explorer
Our fridge went out this weekend. Thoughtfrom wind but was low battery and ignitor wouldn't work. Started generator to charge battery and once charged was fine on gas. We have a dometicbut think similar.
2016 Hideout 28BHSWE
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT 6.7L diesel 6 speed auto SRW longbed

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
Spark gap......should be 1/8"
Too narrow/too wide and lighting issues

Spark electrode should be positioned DIRECTLY over burner slots...centered
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

doxiemom11
Explorer II
Explorer II
I was going to suggest low batteries, low voltage. Circuit board and controls not functioning properly because of this.

corvettekent
Explorer
Explorer
So what is the battery voltage at the fridge? It may be to low for the igniter to work properly.
2022 Silverado 3500 High Country CC/LB, SRW, L5P. B&W Companion Hitch with pucks. Hadley air horns.

2004 32' Carriage 5th wheel. 860 watts of solar MPPT, two SOK 206 ah LiFePO4 batteries. Samlex 2,000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter.

AK_Kid
Explorer
Explorer
Good thoughts, all. Played with it some this morning, and here is what I've found:

1) Works fine on AC.
2) Looks like nothing had been cleaned since the RV was new. I cleaned out the compartment but did not remove the tube... yet.
3) Gas is flowing properly. If I light it manually, I get a flame every time.
4) Flame is blue and constant. No orange and no variation in the flame.
5) I get a spark from the ignitor, which is odd. If I have spark, and I have proper gas flow, why won't the flame catch? However, the ignitor gap isn't very large - maybe 1/16th. So I'm wondering whether the gap is too close?
6) After I light it manually, the fridge functions properly on gas. No shutting down or anything else. I simply need to know that as I switch between gas and AC, I'll have to relight it manually.

So it seems that the spark I'm getting just isn't lighting the gas, which is flowing properly. Next I intend to learn how to adjust the gap and, if that doesn't work, replace the ignitor. Seem like a reasonable approach?

Thanks again. Love that it's so easy to get so much good feedback here.

corvettekent
Explorer
Explorer
Check to see if you have a flame at all or if you have a yellow flame. If you have a yellow flame you will need to clean the burner tube. Also what is your battery voltage?
2022 Silverado 3500 High Country CC/LB, SRW, L5P. B&W Companion Hitch with pucks. Hadley air horns.

2004 32' Carriage 5th wheel. 860 watts of solar MPPT, two SOK 206 ah LiFePO4 batteries. Samlex 2,000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter.

SCVJeff
Explorer
Explorer
Give a look and see where the igniter is and what condition it's in. The probe has to be in the flame to detect fire or it will quickly kill the LP (it's also a flame detect). That doesn't explain why no gas to start but it will certinaly explain why it shut off. This is a common failure.. I know... see the owners manual for exact placement unless someone here remembers
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350

starcraft69
Explorer
Explorer
Can you get the pilot to light but then go's out? If so then its the thermocoupler. start here clean burner tube. Second will it run on AC?
2007 chevy 2500 HD 6.0 longbed
2015 Eagle HT 28.5 5th wheel
tucker the fishing dog

gmctoyman
Explorer
Explorer
My vote is also the burner tube....but, was it running, then shut down and wouldn't restart, or was it shut off for a period, then wouldn't start?
Dave W. AKA "Toyman"
KE5GOH - On 146.52
RV's ? What RV's ???
Apache Pop-up
Classic GMC Motorhome
07 Leisure Travel Sprinter
Do Boats Count ?

lj2654
Explorer
Explorer
It could be air in the line, but if it was running for hours then that shouldn't be the case. Maybe rust in the burner tube and orifice broke loose. Check that and clean it out good.
2001 Beaver Contessa Naples 40
2012 Cadillac Srx
retired AirForce 1979-1992