Thetford fridge problem

[faraway]

I have a Thetford N145 3-way fridge. About 18 months ago, the electric and gas elements were replaced and the fridge has been working and it runs full-time. A couple of days ago, it stopped cooling or freezing, although the blue power light is on and not flashing. At times, I can hear the motor running when I'm outside. I've removed an outside winter cover from one vent (the other does not have one). There is no error message that I can see and the maintenance symbol does not appear. The door closing and seals seem fine. I cannot test it on battery at the moment. Any ideas what may be wrong? I am not DIY savvy! Any advice welcome.

 

[gus-lopez]

At times, I can hear the motor running when I'm outside.

There is no motor. It has an 220v electric element, a 12 v element & a gas burner. The only motor might be a fan on the outlet ? Is it running on ehu or gas?

 

[Campervan_man]

'' I cannot test it on battery at the moment ''

These fridges are like a 4 way fridge. You need a good 12V connection as the PCB board tells the fridge what to do.
I bought one of these ages ago on ebay { £40 } as spares or repairs for the above reason.
The seller had it fully working on a 12V jump pack when I picked it up.
I told him that His leisure battery must have been low.
He wasn't bothered and He told Me that He had just fitted a new £900 fridge.

 

[faraway]

There is no motor. It has an 220v electric element, a 12 v element & a gas burner. The only motor might be a fan on the outlet ? Is it running on ehu or gas?

Oops! I have tried it on both gas and EHU and it makes no difference. The EHU is fine and I have gas.

 

[Campervan_man]

Fridge needs to be level + or minus 7 degrees to cool.
If your driveway is at an angle it won't cool.

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[faraway]

Something to check thank you, although its been static for a few weeks and only stopped working a few days ago.

 

[PeteH]

Have you smelt ammonia?. The coils on this type of fridge can perforate. When that happens the Frig is (sad to say) virtual scrap. Some years ago now. American Dometic fridges where failing on a regular basis, A big batch of defective coils where blamed, and (US) Dometic changed their supplier!.

They can be replaced but the cost/labour is close to a new frig.

As said too, The frig needs a GOOD 12V supply, or the controls will default. (often 10v or less will not operated the device)

 

[autorouter]

As PeteH says, check that the 12V supply to the fridge control board is 12.0V or more. Next, can you remove the lower outside vent, and feel if the coil pipes are getting warm, just above the heaters? The electric elements and gas flame are all located in the same general area, usually the lower right side. You should see the gas pipe and electric wires going to it.

If there's no heat, it's probably to do with the control board. If there's heat, it might, unfortunately, be the cooling coils.

 

[faraway]

Thank you very to both of you, will have a look in the morning.

 

[Off da Grid]

Just an observation. Don’t want to state the obvious
You say you’ve just removed a winter cover.
It has been quite warm these last few days, don’t suppose it just needs more ventilation?

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