Fridge does not come on.

[ginaseven]

My fridge has been working fine all day. Plugged everything in and turned on a couple of days ago to start loading for a trip this weekend. It was on a couple of hours ago and cold when I was putting food in. I just went out to put something in and it is off. It is still cold. I am plugged in at home. Just to a regular outlet, only to run the fridge and lights when loading.Everything else works. I have checked fuses and breakers. All are ok. I am not terribly tech savvy unfortunately. Is there anything else I can check? We are supposed to head out at 8 am tomorrow.
Thanks!!

[sgfrye]

Look at my post this week in tech forum. I had similar problem. Mine happened while in transit. I’m still working on it but making progress.

[BFL13]

We are assuming he has 12v except for the fridge.

[Dave_H_M]

Mine was a fuse on the main panel board beside the AC breakers. Replaced it and all has been well since.

I wold recommend doing an easy check like that before delving into the complicated stuff.

[wa8yxm]

There is a cable from the circuit board on the "Backside" (Outside black box lower left) and the "Eyebrow" (where the lights are) Straight cable. connector on each end.. A few years ago I had to unplug and re-plug both ends a few times and that fixed it.

There are fuses in that black box as well.

[midnightsadie]

yes start at the battery even thow your plugged in the frig needs a good battery to work. and you could call a local rv tech service in your area they come to your site.

[doxiemom11]

Lo/No 12 V from a weak battery - not charging even though plugged in? How old is your battery? That's what I would check first.

[Old-Biscuit]

No display lights........that means NO DC to/on fridge

Backside of fridge is where 12V DC +/- from DC Dist Panel goes to fridge lower circuit board
On the circuit board are 2 fuses
1 is a glass fuse....probably 5A---that is just for the 120V AC circuit/heater elements
1 is an Auto Blade Type fuse....probably 3A...that IS the DC Fuse for ALL fridge controls/lights/functions


Need to test/verify you have 12V DC to fridge
Then test/verify you have DC to/thru that 3A fuse

More then likely problem is with DC to fridge...either at Main DC Dist Panel FUSE or on backside of fridge ...thermal fuse/recall circuit etc
(Hard to guess cause you didn't post BRAND/MODEL of fridge)!!!

[nineoaks2004]

If the circuit board for the REEFER can be unplugged, take it out, take a pencil eraser and clean the gold contacts with the eraser, sometimes corrosion will build up on the contacts. If not that as previously described check for 12 v. that can be from a fuse blown, loose wire at a terminal. Good Luck, just take your time and go thru steps one at a time to get to the bottom of the problem.

[ginaseven]

Thank you!
I put ice in it for tonight to keep it cold.
I will check both of those things first thing in the am.
I am appreciative of the help!

[enblethen]

you have lost 12 volts to the refer. Could be the 12 volt on the circuit board or in the 12 volt distribution panel. This is normally located behind a metal plate held on by a thumb screw adjacent to the 120 volt circuit breakers.

[Joe417]

The fridg requires DC 12V to operate. Everything is controlled using 12V circuits, even when plugged into 120V or running on gas.

You said "it's all off". I take that to mean there is no display or light on the control panel. If the light inside comes on, you have 12V power getting to the fridg.

On my Norcold there are 2 fuses on the control board under the plastic cover. One is for the 120V heating element and wouldn't stop it from working on gas. All are similar but not necessarily the same.

If you aren't tech savvy, you are probably going to need to take it to a rv repair tech. They may not get to it for a while.

I've had issues in the past where we just bought bags of ice and made it into an ice box for the rest of the trip. It won't keep it frozen but it will keep your food cold. A bit of a pain but usable.

[ginaseven]

Unfortunately I am not.
The lights on top of the fridge are not on. They were on earlier today. Where would I find those fuses? I checked the general fuses.

[Son_of_Norway]

Are you handy with the multimeter? Also I should have suggested to make sure you checked the fuses on the reefer's circuit board. Do the Indicator lights go on at the top of the refrigerator?

[ginaseven]

Microwave works, Gas does not work.