Westy fridge probs *SUCCESS*

[trucker]

I've just had my fridge out to service/do the fan mod, when I run it on gas I now get a nice fat blue flame but it wont turn off unless I turn the gas supply off under the sink and the auto ignition is going nuts, very, very fast sparking unless I release the gas select button out by pressing either the mains or 12v select buttons. Which I believe should turn the gas off but it doesn't. oh and the gas select button is very stiff. Help

[lloydy]

My first thought would be the gas button is jamming on something. It might just need a wiggle to release it to its normal position, or you might need to remove fridge and check what it's catching on. Important you sort it and aren't tempted to 'get by' as the fault it has now will not isolate the gas if the pilot goes out.
I'm sure it's an easy fix like above.

[simoncummins]

Mine is the same dont think gas button does anything to gas it just feeds sparker with 12v to light gas. So if you leave gas button in if the gas goes out the sparker will relight it if you click all buttons out, if you gas blows out the thermocupple turns off gas as no spark to relight. I also has stiff buttons but a spray with wd40 sorted that needed to soak for a while.

[trucker]

Cheers guys I'll give the switch a good soak with wd40 if not it's out with the f***ing thing again to have a look as Lloydy says don't want to leave it cos I don't want to wake up dead.

[simoncummins]

You can get the wd40 on the switches by just taking the front off as this was a job i forgot when i had my fridge out. As for the gas cut off as far as i know that is done by the button on the left you hold in when you first light the fridge.

[California Dreamin]

As far as I am aware...mine and my mates Steves were/are exactly the same. Not a fault but perhaps a design flaw.
Just have to remember not only to switch to mains but also to turn the gas off when stooring.

I once left mine on for a fourtnight with the fridge door open, ran the gas down to empty and wet the carpet in the process.

Martin

[trucker]

Martin does yours carry on sparking even though it's alight and going nicely? the only way I can stop the ignition is to pop the gas select button out again but I'm concerned that if the flame goes out it will not then try to relight it self or will the gas stop if no spark is detected?
Paul

[California Dreamin]

Hiya mate,
You are quite right of course, the auto igniter should stop once lit. I'm pretty sure the switching (whether the igniter operates or not) has something to do with the thermo coupling, as in: if the thermo coupling tip isn't being heated up sufficiently the coupling won't trip the switch and stop the igniter.

As far as gas flow is concerned...the thermo coupling also turns the gas OFF...thats why you have to hold the button in for a few second whilst the coupling heats up.
I used to get this issue, turned out to be a partially blocked jet which in turn produced a weak flame that wasn't hot enough or perhaps in the right position to fully heat the tip of the thermo coupling.

Martin

[pirate-pete]

Can confirm you do need to turn the gas off by the valve in the cupboard - switching to electric is not enough.

Once the gas is lit it heats the thermocouple and allows gas to flow without you needing to hold button down. If flame goes out then thermocouple cools and should switch off gas.

Also once gas is lit the igniter should stop sparking. This is where yours has a problem. I'd take fridge out and check the spark end of the ignitor is properly positioned. The flame provides a low resistance path for the spark which stops the ignitor generating more sparks. Hope that helps.

[trucker]

thanks guys, I'll whip the fridge back out tomorrow and have a look at the thermo coupling and the push button select switch.

[AdrianC]

As far as I am aware...mine and my mates Steves were/are exactly the same.

Another one here - just switching to 12v or 240v or off doesn't stop the gas, but the thermocouple on ours definitely cuts the gas off, in that you HAVE to press the button to over-ride the shut-off valve and get the gas flowing in order to light it, and the sparkiness definitely kicks in if you turn the gas off with the three-way set to gas.

[trucker]

SUCCESS!!
I thought before I take the bleeding thing out again I'd give the switches a good soak in WD40 and work them in and out a few times, well it's cured it! the igniter sparks and normal speed now and stops as soon as the burner is lit and starts again as soon as the gas is switched off.
Thanks for all the advice guys

[simoncummins]

[California Dreamin]

Nice one mate....I remember my push button mechanism was a bit dry and didn't work precisely as it should..I did the same, gave it a bit of lube.
I think it was basically bone dry and sticking between functions (unable to void one function before moving onto the next).

Martin