Fridge won’t ignite on gas

[Old Salt]

I have a Hymer B544 where the fridge is at the back the camper and the bottom access panel of the fridge is behind the rear bumper! It would therefore appear that I have to remove the bumper, not an easy job to sort the fridge ignition problem. Has anyone else had to do this? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[TUCANO]

Can't help you sorry except to suggest that you ask on the Hymer Owners Group on facebook.

 

[JockandRita]

Old Salt. Jim & Sian had a problem with their fridge on their Hymer, and I am sure that only a section of the rear bumper had to come off, to gain access to the bottom grill.

Good luck with it.

Jock.

 

[Old Salt]

Can't help you sorry except to suggest that you ask on the Hymer Owners Group on facebook.

Thanks TUCANO. That’s a good idea so I’ll ask a chum to put a post on Facebook as I’m not on it.

 

[Old Salt]

Old Salt. Jim & Sian had a problem with their fridge on their Hymer, and I am sure that only a section of the rear bumper had to come off, to gain access to the bottom grill.

Good luck with it.

Jock.

Thanks for that Jim but in my case the Bumper goes right across the rear of the camper and down the sides of the rear wheel arches

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[Old Salt]

Forget what I said

Thanks for that Jim but in my case the Bumper goes right across the rear of the camper and down the sides of the rear wheel arches

forget what I said about the rear wheel arches I was about 1.5 meters out!

 

[Old Salt]

Forget what I said

forget what I said about the rear wheel arches I was about 1.5 meters out!

When I had the problem in 2015 with my fridge not firing up on gas the Fridge Burner and Jet were replaced so does anyone please have a close up photograph of these items in placed?
Yours Aye
Roger

 

[JockandRita]

When I had the problem in 2015 with my fridge not firing up on gas the Fridge Burner and Jet were replaced so does anyone please have a close up photograph of these items in placed?
Yours Aye
Roger

Roger, there are so many variations, so it would need to be someone with the same model and year as your fridge unit.

Inside the fridge on one of the walls, is a label with the model number on it.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Old Salt]

Thanks Jock. Just off to meet up with an old shipmate of mine so will have a look in a couple of hours.
Regards
Roger

 

[Old Salt]

Hi Jock: my Camper Fridge is:
Type: C40/110
Mod No: RM 6401L
If that is of any help?

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[Jim]

Thanks for that Jim but in my case the Bumper goes right across the rear of the camper and down the sides of the rear wheel arches

It does, held on by just a few screws. It drops easy enough, giving easy access to service the fridge. Far easier than taking it out, that involves disconnecting the cooker, ruining your floor as you drag it out, only to find you need to work on it there as they built the van around it.

 

[JockandRita]

Hi Jock: my Camper Fridge is:
Type: C40/110
Mod No: RM 6401L
If that is of any help?

It might be too someone who has the same model Roger, and who can identify the parts at the rear for you.

Quite often the problems can be minor, attributed to by a loose connection, a bad earth, a burnt out igniter, or a failed thermocouple.

Does the igniter click when trying to light the flame?

Does the flame light, but goes out as you release the gas control?

Not a silly question, but is there gas in the cylinder, and is it turned on?

Is the fridge gas isolation valve open?

Do the hob rings ignite okay?

What is the leisure battery voltage reading?

I can't help too much from a distance, but you need to go through a process of elimination, to try and determine if it is a gas, 12v supply, or component problem.
Doing that might save more involved investigations.

Good luck,

Jock.

 

[Old Salt]

My apologies for the tardy reply Jock but I’ve been out of action for the last week!
No problem with the gas supply to the fridge and it sounds like it is trying to light but just makes a faint ‘put put’ sound and the gas light continues to flash. I’m going to send for a replacement Fridge Burner and Jet which is what was replaced by Premier motorhomes in 2015 when the same fault happened and then take the rear bumper off to have a look at what’s going on.
Thanks again for your advice and I’ll post when I have anything to report. Roger

 

[JockandRita]

Thanks again for your advice and I’ll post when I have anything to report. Roger

No sweats Roger, and yes, please do come back to let us know how you get on.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Jev88]

Weak spark.... Worth checking leisure voltage ?

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[Figaro]

I have the same model fridge located in the same place in my B544.
I decided to take the fridge out by lifting the hob slightly to access the electrical connections on the top of the fridge. It was very fiddly but doable. I also extended the cables to allow future removal of the fridge without disturbing the hob.
Be sure to mark up all connections carefully and or photograph.
First time I took it out was for thermocouple replacement, then a few months later the igniter failed. Each time the flue / burner jet was cleaned.
All the jobs are easily done when you have access.
The gas is disconnected from the top vent.
I used aluminum foil tape to seal off the hab area on installation as the original foam draft excluder had perished.
I think it would be a real struggle doing everything through the lower vent.
I put a heavy duty polythene sheet down and lowered the fridge onto that to maneuver, no damage to flooring.
Good luck

 

[Fdhadi]

My son in law has a problem with his fridge on gas.
2015 Chausson. Fridge lights and stays lit but doesn’t get cold.
Any ideas?

 

[Figaro]

I had that last summer, cleaning the flue and burner jet cured it

 

[Hugoman]

Figaro seems to have the best solution. I had exactly the same problem with my B544. A DOMETIC expert in the Rhonda in Spain …,if your down that way I can give you his details ) suggested cutting a hole in the rear of the van to service the burner and then it would be easier for future servicing as well. Alternatively get a pressure hose and try blasting air down from the vent on the back. I tried that and worked for a bit…but I must admit Figaros seems to be the best solution.

 

[Figaro]

Cambridge24

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[mitzimad]

if its that inaccessible my guess is the burner cup will be full of debris from the flue

 

[Old Salt]

I have the same model fridge located in the same place in my B544.
I decided to take the fridge out by lifting the hob slightly to access the electrical connections on the top of the fridge. It was very fiddly but doable. I also extended the cables to allow future removal of the fridge without disturbing the hob.
Be sure to mark up all connections carefully and or photograph.
First time I took it out was for thermocouple replacement, then a few months later the igniter failed. Each time the flue / burner jet was cleaned.
All the jobs are easily done when you have access.
The gas is disconnected from the top vent.
I used aluminum foil tape to seal off the hab area on installation as the original foam draft excluder had perished.
I think it would be a real struggle doing everything through the lower vent.
I put a heavy duty polythene sheet down and lowered the fridge onto that to maneuver, no damage to flooring.
Good luck

Thank you Figaro that is most helpful. Is your van a similar age to mine (2003) and did you replace any parts or just clean them? When mine was done by a motorhome dealer in 2015 he replaced the Fridge burner and jets!
I will have an initial look this morning by lifting the hob.
Thanks again
Roger

 

[Figaro]

Yes, mines a 2003 as well.
The only parts I replaced were the thermocouple and igniter assembly.
The flue and jet were just cleaned with a bottle brush and vac. The flue has a baffle that hangs inside from the top, be careful with that and take care with the gas jet it's quite delicate. Don't poke anything in just use a soft brush and vac, or replace if necessary.
Good luck getting it sorted.
Edit: if burner jet was replaced in 2015 it shouldn't need replacing again so just clean up.

 

[Manic]

I would have thought it was just the jet that needs cleaning, simple job but complicated by having to remove the bumper, I’m glad our B584 has the fridge on the side.

 

[Old Salt]

Yes, mines a 2003 as well.
The only parts I replaced were the thermocouple and igniter assembly.
The flue and jet were just cleaned with a bottle brush and vac. The flue has a baffle that hangs inside from the top, be careful with that and take care with the gas jet it's quite delicate. Don't poke anything in just use a soft brush and vac, or replace if necessary.
Good luck getting it sorted.
Edit: if burner jet was replaced in 2015 it shouldn't need replacing again so just clean up.

Again very helpful thank you. May I ask where you bought your parts from? Not sure where you are but I’m in Chandlers Ford Hampshire

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[Old Salt]

Thank you also Manic fir your excellent drawing, are you an Artist

 

[JockandRita]

Again very helpful thank you. May I ask where you bought your parts from? Not sure where you are but I’m in Chandlers Ford Hampshire

I used to get my parts mail order from an Electrolux/Dometic agent near Dartford, rather than a Leisure Spares outlet, but I can't find them.

I did find this place though.

Dometic : Spares2Repair, Spare Parts & Accessories for Everything

Spares2Repair : Dometic - Other Kitchen Appliances Washers & Dryers Vacuums & Floorcare Sound & Vision Remotes Home & Garden Personal Care Home Appliance Spare Parts, Kitchen Spare Parts, Fridge Spare Parts, Dishwasher Spare Parts, Washing Machine Spare Parts, Coffee Machine Spare Parts, TV...

spares2repair.co.uk

Also, Leisureshopdirect do all sorts of Demetic spares, but often there is a waiting time as not in stock, ie, they take your money then make you wait.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[JockandRita]

Duplicate post.

 

[xsparks]

Lots of info for a large range of Dometic fridges on a website :- Gaslow Dometic Service sheet.

 

[Manic]

Thank you also Manic fir your excellent drawing, are you an Artist

The red arrow and writing was all my own work

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