Thetford fridge problem - photo attached

[MisterB]

hi, and thanks for viewing this thread,

I have attached a photo of our fridge/freezer display. it appears to be showing a problem when on mains power as the blue light is flashing. I have checked the manual and it mentions fault codes. does that mean that the fault code being displayed is '1' (the number 1) along with a spanner? does the spanner indicate a fault or is it just part of the fault code and only comes on if there is a fault?

if the '1' does relate to a fault code - then the manual says - AC current is measured to be 75% of below normal current


does this point to a fault in the supply or to a fault in the fridge/freezer?

ive just found this link
Broken Link Removed

so I will start working through the suggestions !!

 

[WillH]

I reckon your 240v element has packed up, happened to me when van was8 years old.

 

[The Dudess]

Are you on a site? On a few sites the power from the EHU is not strong enough to power the fridge. We have had this a couple of times during the last year or so. Does it work OK on gas?

 

[MisterB]

not on site - so will check supply first before I start ordering parts !

 

[Stroppy Bird]

I had the same issue at home once. All I did was disconnect from the supply and then reconnected again and it went back to working.

Never had the issue since so not sure whether it was just fluctuating supply or something else.

I have since bought one of these for when I was having issues with a heat pump tumble drier and needed to see what the voltage at the socket was doing (the engineer said it was due to low voltage - it wasn't and this proved it, so new drier supplied under warranty).

Amazon product ASIN B07GNPKHQ9

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[ambulancekidd]

I reckon your 240v element has packed up, happened to me when van was8 years old.

Same thing happened to ours, very easy to change & not expensive to buy either.
Deffo do-able for the DIY type.

 

[bigtwin]

A failed heating element would certainly result in <75% current. If the ‘reset’ instruction above doesn’t work I’d be checking the a.c. Heating element.

Ian

 

[WillH]

Mine was a bit fiddly to change, fridge required removal. Once out very straightforward. Renewed all the sealing foam with neoprene and made new secure fixings for the fridge.

 

[TerryL]

Same code appeared on mine earlier this year on my way south for our winter break. Proved it wasn't the hookup voltage as it was the same wherever I connected to a mains supply. Bit of a nuisance but managed okay on gas - we rarely hookup anyway.

Had a similar fault earlier on the 12v element, changed it myself with no difficulty so once I'd returned home and bought the 240v element it took me about half an hour, which included removing and replacing the fridge as not possible to remove the elements in situ like it is in some installations.

Leisureshopdirect carry most models, they tend to be generic anyway, cost around £28 if I remember correctly. You'll need the model number, usually on a label low down at the back inside the fridge.

 

[MisterB]

thanks for all the responses, i have checked on a different 240v supply with the same result. i also powered it up on gas, then after a few hours switched it over to run on 240v and turned the thermostat down as soon as it needed a supply again, it showed the same fault. so it looks like the 240v heating element is faulty.

has anyone got photos etc of replacing the element and is it possible to replace from the outside vents?

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[TerryL]

I see you have the same van as me so I can tell you it's not possible to replace the element without taking the fridge out - there simply isn't enough room as an insulating jacket has to come off to get at the element. Before I started mine (the first timer with the 12v element) I did see a couple of photos but cannot now remember where - it may have been on one of the retailer sites, some of them have diagrams. But if it is of assistance I'll PM you with the procedure - it's straight forward although you might need a little help getting the fridge back in its hole. I did the job myself in less than an hour.

 

[MisterB]

Thanks Terry, i have found something useful on youtube, so i will view that a few times. i am pretty hands on with stuff, so not phased (sorry for the sparky pun!) about giving it a go.

ps we met you on the funster stand and you gave us a sticker !!!

 

[TerryL]

OK - PM sent

 

[MisterB]

OK - PM sent

and received.much appreciated and will be very helpful