RbrbRb Report post Posted August 8, 2013 Our refrigerator stopped working while we were away. The weather had been extremely hot (90-100) most of the time. We have power, the gas will light but no cooling. Repair guy says new cooling unit without looking at anything. Aren't there other parts that might be the problem? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted August 8, 2013 RbrbRb, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. If the propane flame stays lit and is proper size (not diminished by debris in the burner tube, spec of dirt in propane jet, etc) then he is probably correct. Has it been on for at least 30 hours? Is it in a slide out (side upper vent) or is the upper vent roof mounted? Do you have any booster fans at the top of the cooling unit exhausting up/out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nansue58 Report post Posted June 14, 2018 Our 2018 Winnebago Trend is only 2 months old and the fridge warms up considerably when no hookups and is running on propane. We aren’t mechanics..guess we need t have the dealer..😒...look at it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted June 14, 2018 If it cools ok on electric then there must be something wrong with the propane system. Look to see if flame is present when turned on. Does all the other propane appliances work? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted June 15, 2018 1 hour ago, nansue58 said: Our 2018 Winnebago Trend is only 2 months old and the fridge warms up considerably when no hookups and is running on propane. We aren’t mechanics..guess we need t have the dealer..😒...look at it. Welcome to the forum. Is it lighting? Can you see the flame? Do your other propane appliances work like the hot water heater, stove? If it isn't something simple I would contact the dealer about a warranty claim. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted June 15, 2018 Do you have propane in tank and is tank valve turned on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
john_harris Report post Posted June 15, 2018 Nansue 58, If it works ok on electric but not on propane, and it has not been on propane in a while, may be that propane bleed off and there is air in the line. if so, igniter will attempt to light up to 3 times, and if no flame present, lock out. Try purging the line by turning on closest gas appliance, then turn fridge off, then on again to restart sequence. Listen outside to see if you can hear the igniter spark, then the flame. may still take a time or two. Remember that the fan will run and sound like fridge is working even if flame is not on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted June 15, 2018 To follow up on John's excellent post, tell us how far into the "run on propane you get". Removing the outside access door for the refrigerator gives you best information. If possible, remove the little sheet metal shield over the burner area (bottom of the "chimney") When refrigerator turned on (to propane or automatic if no 120 VAC) AND temperature in the refrigerator is high enough that the thermistor signals for cooling to start) two things happen: you will hear the "clicking" of the ignitor and if you put your hand on the gas valve, you will feel it "click open" allowing propane to the burner. If this happens, did the flame light. If so, how long did it stay light? Was it nice and blue. For the flame to continue (gas valve stay open) the flame sensor must sense flame. Be aware that all these decisions are made by the PC board which runs on 12 VDC. Low battery voltage can make this process STUPID. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted June 15, 2018 RbrbRb, Could you post the Year of the coach? The pilot sensors do fail over time. If the coach is brand new, somebody did not do there job !!! The sensor needs to supply a small voltage like millivolts which is 1/1000th of a volt) and if the voltage is less than 25 millivolts replace the thermocouple. To Test them - one needs to remove it from the refrigerator - clamp it lightly in a vice using the mounting, connect the leads to a digital meter, use a butane lighter or a small torch set at a small flame - heat the tip and read the voltage. Not sure take a picture of the meter reading and attach it to a post. A paper clip bent open a little works well if the meter wires are to big to make a good solid connection for you to connect a meter to. NOTE ! The connections at the control board are very tight, so support the point on the board where the connection is made. Small needle nose pliers at the base of the connector and pull and on the wire connector with a little wiggle motion in line with the wide portion of the spade connection. It will look like this, but the mounting collar might be a little different. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted June 16, 2018 Rich, it is a 2018 coach and should be under warranty. I would just make shure it was geting propane and if it isn't lighting I would be calling in on the warranty. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
