Dometic fridge problems - no gas to the gas valve?

[Ljunghusen]

Hey
I've got some issues with a Dometic fridge. Theres no, or hardly any gas coming. When the fridge are trying to light up, you can just see and hear a small poff, but it doesn't light. Spark is good and tried with a lighter.
The burner is very clean. So I moved on to the gas valve. Checked the connectors and knocked on it.
So I removed the gas pipe that leads TO the gas valve, and I cant feel or hear any gas coming out of that pipe.
The gas pressure should be so strong you could hear and feel it - right?
If so. What do I do now?
I have turned the gas knob inside the van on and off.

The stove and heating system works fine.

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[PlacidoD]

" .... you can just see and hear a small poff"

That is all you will get when it is working!!Essentially you are lighting a pilot light and nothing more. After a while it will register on the little gauge.

 

[Ljunghusen]

" .... you can just see and hear a small poff"

That is all you will get when it is working!!Essentially you are lighting a pilot light and nothing more. After a while it will register on the little gauge.

It's like lighting a lighter thats out of gas. You might get a little poff, but no flame.
Its not lighting.

 

[Lenny HB]

Are you sure it's not a problem with the thermocouple as that will cut the gas supply.

 

[1967bowesj]

As you state you have removed the gas feed to the valve you should have an open end and get full gas flow. Take a picture of this gas knob, is it the fridge isolator?
Next for me but only if you are sure you are able, would be to remove the fridge gas pipe after the isolation valve to see if you have a feed. If that has gas coming out from valve you have an issue in the pipe run. Has pipe been crushed or damaged somehow?

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[MisterB]

As you state other gas appliances work, then I would suggest it's the thermocouple. The pilot light will ignite momentarily but will go out again very quickly or as soon as you take your finger off the button.

 

[Ljunghusen]

I havent tried running the fridge on electricity. I suppose that's a way to test the thermocouple?
Thanks for you replies so far!

 

[bigtwin]

I havent tried running the fridge on electricity. I suppose that's a way to test the thermocouple?
Thanks for you replies so far!

No, the thermocouple is a safety device and is in play only when using gas.

Ian

 

[Ljunghusen]

Ah I see. I thought it was the thing that "turns electricity or gas into cold"
Does the thermocouple give signal to the gas valve to open?

 

[Ljunghusen]

As you state you have removed the gas feed to the valve you should have an open end and get full gas flow. Take a picture of this gas knob, is it the fridge isolator?
Next for me but only if you are sure you are able, would be to remove the fridge gas pipe after the isolation valve to see if you have a feed. If that has gas coming out from valve you have an issue in the pipe run. Has pipe been crushed or damaged somehow?

I think you're on the right track. Heres a picture of the knob I'm talking about.
I suppose the pipe runs from this knob straight to the valve?

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[bigtwin]

Does the thermocouple give signal to the gas valve to open?

No, it gives the signal for the gas valve to close if the thermocouple cannot detect heat from a flame. This ensures that gas doesn’t continue to supplied if the flame goes out (this would be dangerous).

When the burner is required to be operating, there is a limited time available for the burner to light before the system operates to protect us.

Ian

 

[Barchetta47]

As others have said it’s most likely to be either the valve, the burner or the thermocouple. It might be worth giving the valve casing a sharp tap as sometimes they stick. Mine did for a while. Good luck.

 

[1967bowesj]

I think you're on the right track. Heres a picture of the knob I'm talking about.
I suppose the pipe runs from this knob straight to the valve?View attachment 941746

Yes thats the fridge knob, if all other appliances wirk then it would be assumed the fridge does. You can test be switching all off so no gas, loosen the output pipe for fridge the quickly open knob you should hear the gas. If no gas then possible manifest. If gas then pipe issue. Test that by issolating the knob remove gas pipe and remove from valve at fridge, can you blow through pipe?