Fridge issue

[me_camper]

The other day I got back to the rv, went to get some ice for a drink. Got the ice out of the freezer only it was water. Fridge stopped working. Was on auto but never switched to gas. Switched to gas manually and fridge works fine. Breakers and fuses inside rv ok, power at fridge outlet ok. Any ideas, Thanks.

[profdant139]

The indicator lights on most RV fridges are so counter-intuitive -- if it is running on gas, and everything is working properly, no lights are lit. If there is a problem, the "check" light is lit. That looks a lot like the "auto" light.

It is easy to mistake the check light for the auto light. When looking at the fridge when it is on gas, you have to consciously remember that "no light on" is the desired outcome. Very poor human engineering.

[opnspaces]

I never trust the Auto switch setting on mine as it sometimes malfunctions. So anytime it switches from electric to gas I just look at the indicator lights to make sure they are on and not blinking. If they are blinking I flip the switch off and back on and it has always worked from that point. Been that way for 15 years so I'm not worrying about it.

[Old-Biscuit]

IF it had attempted to swap to gas and failed it would have "CHECK" error

It was STILL in 'Auto' and OP Manually swapped it to gas

OP stated
120V AC power was still available, breakers/fuses all good

AC was available, fridge in auto but NO Cooling action going on
BAD element or bad circuit board

[wnjj]

profdant139 wrote:
Joel, he mentioned that when he switched to gas, it lit. So maybe there was gas flowing to the fridge and there might be something wrong with the circuit controlling the switch?? I sure hope not -- it is expensive to replace the electronics.

But I agree with Joel that before lighting the fridge, I always run the stove for a minute to get the air out of the line. If I don't do that, and if I then try to run the fridge on gas, it takes quite a few clicks by the automatic ignition system to get the fridge up and running.

If I purge the line, though, it fires up on the second click.

Yes, but switching to gas manually gave it one more chance. It may have needed purged and the automatic switchover gave up after trying to light.

It’s easy to test. Provide power when it’s running on gas on auto then pull the power and see if it lights up again.

[profdant139]

Joel, he mentioned that when he switched to gas, it lit. So maybe there was gas flowing to the fridge and there might be something wrong with the circuit controlling the switch?? I sure hope not -- it is expensive to replace the electronics.

But I agree with Joel that before lighting the fridge, I always run the stove for a minute to get the air out of the line. If I don't do that, and if I then try to run the fridge on gas, it takes quite a few clicks by the automatic ignition system to get the fridge up and running.

If I purge the line, though, it fires up on the second click.

[joelc]

Before your fridge, water heater or any appliance you must be sure you have gas going to the appliance. The best way to do this is light you stove top and after you get a flame then try your appliance. This is required if you unit is sitting awhile and there is no gas yet to the appliance. In other words, you purge the gas line.

[joelc]

Before your fridge, water heater or any appliance you must be sure you have gas going to the appliance. The best way to do this is light you stove top and after you get a flame then try your appliance. This is required if you unit is sitting awhile and there is no gas yet to the appliance. In other words, you purge the gas line.

[joelc]

Before your fridge, water heater or any appliance you must be sure you have gas going to the appliance. The best way to do this is light you stove top and after you get a flame then try your appliance. This is required if you unit is sitting awhile and there is no gas yet to the appliance. In other words, you purge the gas line.