Dometic refrigerator not working

[Lyle Johnson]

2000 Marquis
425 Cat
Dometic refrigerator
Model no. 1492

Made it through -15 F ...but the refrigerator stopped working.
Checked fuzes, lights are all operational, gas seems to work but not cool.  Both refrigerator and freezer are not working...Mom not real happy...lucky we are close to home base.
Seals are tight.  Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

[Carol Moffett]

Lyle,
   Just a thought, and certainly a stab in the dark, but perhaps it was just too cold outside?  Too cold for the fridge to produce enough heat to cool the fridge???

[Lyle Johnson]

That is interesting...would be an easy fix...16f here now...5f tonite.

[David T. Richelderfer]

Not working on LP or 110v, or both?

[Lyle Johnson]

Both...all lights working good...no check light on...gas is lit.

[David T. Richelderfer]

Hmmmm... I lost a Buss fuse in the back of my fridge this past weekend which would not allow the fridge to operate on AC.  It worked fine on LP.  I replaced the fuse and it then worked fine on AC.  This morning I unplugged the coach from shore power at the RV park which should have caused the fridge to automatically switch over to LP.  But now the LP won't work.  It gives me the "no FL" error code.  That means no flame; it won't light on LP.  I tried to restart it on LP probably 6 to 10 times with no success.  The handbook does not address a fuse issue related to the "no FL" error code.  Now what?

Lyle - You have a flame but no cooling?  That sounds like a fridge that was operated out of level for an hour or more.  The fridge may need burping.  There are several references to burping a fridge - here are two:

http://forum.bacrallies.com/m-1415704394/s-3/highlight-burp/#num3
http://forum.bacrallies.com/m-1406157315/s-3/highlight-burp/#num3

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Lyle,
If you haven't done so, turn on the Low Ambient switch. It's below the control panel and accessible when the reefer door is open. Not sure if this will help but manual indicates this shoud be on any time ambient is <50F.
Steve

[Lyle Johnson]

She is leveled good....I have heard of the burping thing before...the freezer is still trying to stay around 34...
The fridge around 52...
Sorry I can't help you with the gas thing...

[Gerald Farris]

Lyle,
I hate to tell you, but it sounds like you may have a defective cooling unit. Go outside and remove the access panel. If there is a strong ammonia smell, or if you see a buildup of a yellowish material, you need a new cooling unit.

Gerald

[Lyle Johnson]

Update....
Not looking good for the unit.
Electric and gas working...
No cooling
Outside temps around 40...
Looks like maybe I need a new unit.

Any suggestions on a substitute?

Thanks for all replies...

Lyle

[Chuck Jackson]

If you want to keep your fridge, you might check with this place. They have a lot of good info on repairing your fridge and videos to help walk you thru it.

http://www.arprv.com/

[George H. Wall]

Many of us have switched to the Amish cooling units, better units and cheaper than Norcold.  Henry

[Gerald Farris]

Lyle,
In my opinion, if you need a new cooling unit, you only have two options. Either keep your current refrigerator and install an Amish cooling unit, or modify your cabinets and install a residential refrigerator.

Gerald

[Lyle Johnson]

Ok....wow....the things a person learns...

Now I could use opinions on residential or fix...I am leaning on residential...

Oh, by the way, opinions on this forum are respected by this guy.

Lyle

[Paul Schwalen]

Lyle,

We switched to a Samsung residential last April and are extremely satisfied.  The refer only uses 3.9 Amps at its highest load.  Our inverter easily handles that load.

Paul