Fridge not igniting - away tomorrow

Post by **irishkeet** » 26 Apr 2007, 19:25

Hi
I have a westy joker - fridge is not igniting (worked last week) any ideas

thanks
keet

Post by **Rozzo** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:14

mmmm put yer beer under the van

Post by **kevtherev** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:21

gas on... plenty gas.

does it smell of gas after trying to ignite (from the flue)

have you a spark

pull it out and clean it

Post by **irishkeet** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:25

hi
Gas is fine, was working ok last weekend
Just not getting a spark when i press in the button

anything i need to be careful off when getting it out
I have a large underfloor westy gas tank
should I be able to switch the gas off under the van then get the fridge out?

thanks
keet

Post by **irishkeet** » 27 Apr 2007, 07:23

Post by **Ruby** » 27 Apr 2007, 10:26

Just finished putting mine back in, mine wouldn't start on gas so I took it out, simple enough (must be if I did it without breaking anything!). Took the front panel off, removed (4 off) self tappers (2 off each side inside the cupboards). Removed vent cover and end piece from outside van. Diconnected gas pipe. Slid fridge out part way, disconnected cables. Fridge then came out. I think it swelled a bit meantime cos it seemed tighter going back in!

Due to my work load, my impatience and not having owned the westy long (wanting to make sure everything is safe etc....) I took it to a local caravan place for a service. No parts and just labour cost £105!. That got me my fridge back with pipe clips and screws missing, gas pipe bent out of position. My protestations were met with the comment "It's cheaper than a new one sir".

Apparently it just needed cleaning, so get the hoover out

You have been warned please be careful, and good luck

(The place in question is near DINMORE hill and has CARAVANS outside)

Post by **Mocki** » 27 Apr 2007, 10:43

i know nuffin about westys, ( wellapart from the "no grill thing") but when mine wouldnt spark, it was the earth connection to the sparker that was dirty, cleaned it, and presto! sparky sparky!

Post by **irish.david** » 27 Apr 2007, 11:10

Biggest problem i had taking my fridge out was the exhaust pipe being totally stuck on the fitting that attaches to the side of the van. Finally removed it by swearing and shouting at it a lot.

The piezo thing that makes the spark should be located in the same place as the bluey-green thing on the right hand side of the picture below.

The one on mine doesn't look original so i guess these units are prone to failure. If you can connect the fridge to 12v when it's out and press the gas select button in you could see if the ignitor thing has 12v on it. If it does and the ignitor electrode look ok next to the gas flame bit you probably need a new piezo unit. If there's no 12v there start working backwards through the wiring til you find the problem.

Dave

Post by **Other-Power** » 27 Apr 2007, 14:42

Hey,

What age is it, just had my 1981 westy out a couple of weeks ago and found it had a spider living in the combustion chamber

Cleaned it out and it all works great, any one for frozen beer

If its older and has the pezio igniter then try cleaning the contacts in the combustion chamer. If its an electric ignitor as irsh daves is then it may need a new unit

BTW i dont liek the sounds of £105 for labour to clean a fridge.

Hope this helps

Jon