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Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 01 Apr 2015, 19:36
by 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!
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 01 Apr 2015, 21:15
by 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.
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 06:42
by KittyCamper84
ours is fused through the zig unit and I have checked all that out.
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 06:56
by 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.
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 07:15
by 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......
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 12:22
by KittyCamper84
It doesn't light, just flashes a blue flame momentarily. Which bit is the thermocouple and how do I test it ?
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 12:59
by 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.
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 14:07
by KittyCamper84
It's a brand new bottle
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 14:22
by 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)
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 02 Apr 2015, 16:10
by KittyCamper84
Yeah, even with it held it goes straight out and then there's no spark to give it another go
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 06 Apr 2015, 06:26
by kevtherev
I seems to point at the thermocouple.
Or the gas supply pressure is not correct or being blocked
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 06 Apr 2015, 08:49
by 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?
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 06 Apr 2015, 09:34
by 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

Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 06 Apr 2015, 09:57
by 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.
Re: Weird fridge problem!
Posted: 06 Apr 2015, 13:51
by MidLifeCrisis
KittyCamper84 wrote: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?