Fridge burner won't stay lit

Question

I've got a Norcold fridge, and the burner won't stay lit in gas mode. I've cleaned out the crud from inside the burner, and this is what I know so far:

When the fridge is turned on in Gas mode, the unit clicks, and I can see an arc from the little L-shaped igniter to the burner. However, the unit won't light. If I light it manually with a grill lighter it will burn for a minute with a nice blue flame, then the unit shuts off the gas and begins clicking again after a few seconds, trying to re-light.

The unit works fine in AC mode.

I can see two heavy gauge black cables that run up to a 3/8" diameter silver rod that goes into the flue. I'm guessing that this is some kind of temperature sensor, but who knows.

Help!

We're heading out this afternoon, and I don't want to run the generator the whole trip just to keep the fridge going. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks!

j-d · Answer

That silver part with heavier wire is the AC element that lets you use it when you have 120VAC shore tie or generator or inverter power.
Get your Norcold Model Number and go to Chris Bryant's Site and select Service Manuals. Download a manual, study the troubleshooting and see what it yields.

To run, a fridge has to "prove flame" and that can be done with a Thermocouple or a Flame Sensor. I think you have a Flame Sensor.

If it gets lit and flame is not "proven" then the fridge shuts the gas off and tries a couple more times. After that, you have to shut it off at the controls and turn it back on again to get another set of tries.

What concerns me is that the valve must be opening because you have gas that you can light manually, but the spark electrode cannot. That's peculiar. Sounds like there could be multiple problems.

Make sure the "electrode" is clean and that its tip is in the flame. I think it's both Igniter and Flame Sensor.

eemsdad · Answer

Thanks J-D. I downloaded the manual, and walked through the steps, though the results are a little unclear. After working the edge connector on the ignition module a bit I got the burner to ignite and stay lit MANUALLY. The ignition electrode is still not arcing enough to ignite the burner on its own.

The electrode shows continuity, so based on that, I'm guessing that the ignition module needs to be replaced. This is unfortunate as it is a $140 part which I can't source locally before heading out of town. :(

full-timer · Answer

Take the igniter and use some sand paper to clean it good and shiny. then set it to 3/16--1/8 close to the burner see if that will work.

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