Dometic Refrigerator on my R Pod 172

[dslc6487]

The light in my dometic refrigerator does not work. I took the inside locking mechanism apart and removed the 4 section light bulb and checked it with another 12v power source. The bulb works fine. In checking the plug that comes out of the wall that connects to the terminals on the light bulb, I am getting no power to the plug. Anyone have any idea what to do next in order to try and get power to the plug to the light.

[Chris_Bryant]

Because you talked about a locking mechanism, it sounds like you have an RM8500 series. If so, it just needs programming.

Controlling the interior light via reed switch
The AES-Electronics uses the X114 and X111 as well for controlling the reed
switch as well as the electrical lock.
The electronics will recognize the application of a reed switch, following the
below steps:
1. Choose step 9 in the service mode
2. Open the door
3. Close the door (reed switch will be recognized)
4. Continue service mode (push button 6)
The interior light will now be controlled via the reed switch.
Basically the electronics are defined with “recognizing Reed switch”.

To access the service mode:

Service Mode AES
The Service Mode is activated by keeping pressed down the temperature button
and switching on the main button.
After this the 7-Segment-Display shows „1“. By pushing the temperature button,
the different test-steps can be activated:
1 = activates 120 V heating element (120V must be available)
2 = activates 120V relay (120V has not to be necessarily available)
3 = activates 12 V heating element (D+ and 12V supply has to be available)
4 = Intern test step (is not indicated)
5 = activates burner control device – output (Gas operation)
6 = activates frame heating
7 = activates interior lights (Except for electrical lock)
8 = Intern test step (is not indicated)
9 = Recognizing electrical lock or reed switch
10 = activates all 7 segment-components one after the other
11 = activates all LED´s
Exiting the diagnosis mode: Push „mode“ button or wait for 10 minutes.

This from the service manual I have online at my service manual page- it also tells how to program the lock, but it's an odd manual, translated from German.

[Old-Biscuit]

Bad door switch
Bad magnetic switch
Bad door contacts
Bad assembly
Bad connectors
Bad cable/leads
Bad cable connectors at control module
Bad circuit on control module
Bad ETC


Could be simple/cheap, could expensive ....hard to tell

Domectic makes LOTS of models..some use same circuits----some are completely different
BUT ONE of the BAD list will probably be culprit

[mchero]

Should be able to locate a wiring diagram with the model number.

[DrewE]

You don't list the model of the fridge you have, so this is somewhat guesswork.

On my Dometic fridge, I had the door switch for the light stop working due to crud and oxidation inside the switch. I was able to take it apart and clean it up and get it back together, and so far that fix has worked out fine. I don't know how long-term it will be, though it has been quite a few months already. The switch was also available as a replacement part (at what I thought was a rather steep price).