Weird fridge problem!

[KittyCamper84]

We have an electrolux rm123e fridge in our van. It has always worked well on all three functions, gas, 12v and 240v. We haven't used it since October and so I thought I'd test it out before the weekend. It wouldn't light on gas. When the switch was on it wouldn't spark. I removed the fridge and cleaned everything. With it back together we now have the spark working, however when the gas tries to light it goes straight out and then the spark stops working. After a minute or two it starts to spark again but won't spark more than once when the gas is on?? Anyone had this before or any ideas?!? Thanks!

[Ralf85]

Don't know about your van, but I had a similar problem in my westie. It turned out to be a simple problem, to do with a corroded aluminium bullet fuse in the supplementary fuse box, that runs the fridge and water tap. Took it out and replaced it with a copper fuse and it has worked ok ever since.

[KittyCamper84]

ours is fused through the zig unit and I have checked all that out.

[MGP]

Does it actually light and then go out a few seconds later? If so it sounds like the thermocouple is not in the right place or not working.

[vwaddict]

When i was having trouble getting mine to stay lit it was the thermocouple, i took it out & tested it with a multimeter against another 2nd hand one i had before putting it all back together......

[KittyCamper84]

It doesn't light, just flashes a blue flame momentarily. Which bit is the thermocouple and how do I test it ?

[lefty67]

You have checked if there is gas in the bottle.
I had a similar problem with a cooker but didn't check the obvious first.

[KittyCamper84]

It's a brand new bottle

[Oldiebut goodie]

Are you holding the knob in until the thermocouple has warmed up enough to keep the gas on? (Just that you haven't said that this is what you are doing)

[KittyCamper84]

Yeah, even with it held it goes straight out and then there's no spark to give it another go

[kevtherev]

I seems to point at the thermocouple.
Or the gas supply pressure is not correct or being blocked

[KittyCamper84]

As far as I know the gas is ok, new bottle, same regulator as we had before the problem. Is there a way to check or test the thermocouple?

[vwaddict]

I took mine out heated it gently with a blow torch whilst holding a multimeter on the end on a low voltage setting.....i think, it was a few months ago now

[Oldiebut goodie]

If you are going to take it out to test it replace it anyway - they are cheap enough! Get a universal one off ebay (measure the length of yours as I can't remember the length) Keep your fittings as you may need a bit from your old one.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Yeah, even with it held it goes straight out and then there's no spark to give it another go

Surely if KittyCamper84 is holding the gas knob in and it's still not working then it can't be the thermocouple at fault?