Electrolux Dometic RM 6401L - not working on gas.

[Eriksson]

This fridge is presumably made in ~ 2006.
It has auto ignition. When turned on it keeps firing the ignition. If I push the button the ignition goes off right away and I get flame in the burner. Probably 3cm high flame that's blue and looks good. However when I release the push button the flame goes out and the ignition keeps firing.

I have cleaned out the burner with compressed air, the jet and the rest of it looks good - and seem to work normally since I get good flame when holding the "start" button.

I think the thermocouple must be bad. I have tried to move it a bit further into the flame with no change.

Just wanted to check if I am missing something.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Eriksson]

If I understand correctly the thermocouple is mechanical?
If so I guess it's pointless to search for bad electrical connections!?

 

[Eriksson]

When I push and hold the "start" button, the ignition fires few times until I get flame and then stops normally. Question; if the thermocouple is bad - how does the auto igniter sense there is flame, and stops firing?

With bad thermocouple I would expect it to just continue to fire the igniter while I depress the button, regardless if there is flame or not.

It seems I have to remove the fridge from the MH to get to the bottom of this problem.

 

[mitzimad]

i doubt if you have a thermo couple on that model mine 2007 and it has flame rectification usually its a bad connection that causes this
if you look at the burner if it has two wires and the gas supply its retification rather than thermocouple follow the wires unplug and clean all connections there is an earthwire on the burner on some that can corrode also where the two wires plug in to the electrics box are prone to corrosion
if it has one wire .the gas pipe and a thin copper tube its thermocouple and forget all above

 

[Eriksson]

Pic for reference:

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[Eriksson]

if it has one wire .the gas pipe and a thin copper tube its thermocouple and forget all above

Thanks!
While I am not new to repairs, I have very limited experience with gas equipment. I think I have what you describe here.

 

[mitzimad]

thats a thermocouple is the flame big enough to warm it up?

 

[mitzimad]

the other end of it is connected to the gas valve which is the bit you hold in when lighting
quick run down of how it works when you push and hold the button and light the burner you are holding the gasvale open when the thermo couple get hot enough it produces a very small current which energises an electro magnet inside the gas vale at that point you can let go of the button and the magnet holds the gas valve open if the flame fails the magnet is turned of and the gas valve shuts
two ways to test one is use a long gas lighter to heat the tip see if the flame stays in then
correct wat is to disconnect at the gas valve use a multi metter set to milli volts test center of the thermo to the outer sheaf you should see above 15mv with the flame lit if you have 15 mv its the gas valve thats failed

 

[mitzimad]

first thing i would do is soak the screw on the burner with some penetrating oil as it looks well rusted have you check the injector is clear as to small a flame will not activate the magnet you should be able to hear a small roar from the flame