Dometic fridge RM2652 tripping thermal sensor

[rvman69]

Hello all, my Dometic RM2652 in my 99 Travelmaster class C RV was in my level shop hooked up and running good. I went out one day after we had a pretty bad storm and our electricity went off and back on about 5 times in a short period of time. Then it stayed off for about 36 hours. I noticed that our fridge power light was not on the fridge. So I turned the fridge off and reset the thermal switch on the heat unit. I went back in and turned fridge on. The power came on and the auto light was on. So I thought well the storm just threw the thermal sensor. So I turned the fridge off so I could clean it thinking it was fine. Well today I went out to turn the fridge on to get ready to go camping at the end of the month. When I turned it on the the lights came on the control panel as it should. It was on for a while then later I noticed the lights on the fridge were off. I went back to the thermal sensor and it was thrown again. I reset it again and it did the same thing. The heating element is getting hot. I do not think the cooling unit is bad but not positive. I do not see any yellow or green looking stuff around the heat unit. Is there anything else I should check that could be making the fridge not operate correctly? Could it be that the thermal sensor switch is just bad? Would appreciate any help. Is there a way to post pictures on here? I was going to post a couple so you could see there seems to be no yellow or green looking stuff. Thanks

[rvman69]

Actually I replaced the original fridge years ago but I dont know how to figure out what year that was. This one might need the recall also. I will have to check the serial number. I want to make sure I can get this unit working before having the recall done on it. I will try to look up in the flu and maybe get some pics to see if there is any yellow stuff. Thanks

[JBarca]

Here are some pics of an actual failed RM2652 as a comparison

NOTE: This fridge had the recall done to it.






The fridge was removed and underwent dismantling for repair.


Your pics do not show the normal heavy yellow. But, look up where the gas burner and the flame goes up the flue tube to see if there is yellow residue in that area.

Also, your 1999 RM2652 does not appear to have the recall done. I do not see the heat shield of the other thermal fuse. There is still an active recall on this model fridge. Check your fridge serial number in this Dometic recall link. https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoor/lp/refrigerator-recall

If yours is in the recall, contact any authorized Dometic repair place; they should be able to do this. Since so much time has passed, they may have to order the recall kit, and it may take a few months to make this if Dometic is out of them.

Hope this helps

John

[rvman69]

[rvman69]

I got the burner cover off. I do not see any yellow. The only thing I see is on top of the burner cover and it looks like dirt not yellow.

[dougrainer]

enblethen wrote:
Your photo doesn't look like my installation.
The yellow looks like sealant not ammonium from cooling unit

Bingo. The OP needs to remove the Burner cover and look for more yellow residue. If there is Yellow, then the Thermal disc is doing its job. Doug

PS. IF there was NO yellow residue, it is common for the Dometic Thermal disc's to false trip. You then replace the Thermal disc.

[enblethen]

Your photo doesn't look like my installation.
The yellow looks like sealant not ammonium from cooling unit

[rvman69]

I tried the exact same thing before but I just noticed it did not extend to the ends when highlighting it to copy. So I extended to both ends and then copied and pasted. It worked. Is that some of the yellow stuff at the bottom of the stack? Thanks

[rvman69]

[joerg68]

To post a picture, go to http://photoposting.is-great.net and follow instructions there.
The site was created by a forum member for this very purpose.

[rvman69]

I joined in 2013 but have not posted very much. I was not able to use the RV for a long time because of health issues. So what you are saying is I need to gain access to the face of the thermal sensor to see if it has a build up on it? I dont really have much experience with the RV refrigerators. You said the inner pipe then you said the thing like you posted a link to. So I am kinda confused. The unit really looks pretty good from the access panel. so I hate to replace the cooling unit or the whole fridge until I am sure. Thanks

[enblethen]

new members normally cannot post photos

[rvman69]

I tried posting a pic from the info I found on here. It will not let me post a pic. It keeps saying your post has invalid formatting.

[enblethen]

No, the inner pipe would or may have carbon build up.
It is the small by-metal thermostat similar to one I linked?

[rvman69]

The thermal unit seems to be tight to the metal cover.The wires are tight on the unit.The stack seems to be clean. I would have to take it apart to look at burner pipe. Right? I am going to try to put a pic on here so you can see what you think. I did notice it seems like the top of the stack is not clipped in like the bottom is. It looks like it should be clipped in like the bottom. Should I take the stack apart some to see if there is any yellow junk in there? Thanks

[enblethen]

Is the thermal unit tight to the metal cover?
Are the wires tight onto the unit?
Is the stack clean including the burner pipe located inside the stack?
These button style thermal units are readily available for replacement.
thermal fuse