Thetford Fridge Problems.

[SueMS]

Wondering if anyone can help with our fridge issues. We had our fridge replaced about 14 months ago (by the dealer who sold us the van). The model is Thetford N4000 series. It worked fine. The van was not used since July 2024 due to illness. When we went away a week ago there were problems. The fridge didn't cool despite being plugged in for 24 hours. We loaded it with milk and other cold foodstuffs from our house fridge. Being a sealed unit it kept these cold for a short time but the actual fridge wasn't working, although the frozen peas defrosted and then froze again and then defrosted! My husband has checked the vents - all clear, the pipework at the back of the fridge is very hot, on gas, electric and 12v. The dealer we bought the van from is not local and we have no faith in them due to other issues (eg rain coming through the roof where they fitted replacement aircon). Does anyone have any suggestions.

 

[CAB96]

Is this on Mains EHU and 12v when driving?

No gas used?

 

[GeoffnDee]

Is it possible that the fridge door is not fully closed or the door latch is in storage mode.

 

[Huw s]

Look up your nearest Thetford agent and get it booked in for a check over. If the pipework is getting hot then it should be working, unless it was incorrectly fitted.

 

[donkey]

Some fridges are quite sensitive about being level.

Geoff

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Steve N Tracy]

Have you got it turned up too high they work better on no more then 3 bars turn them up too high and they struggle to disapate the heat they produce so they cool down and then thaw.

 

[Detnor]

I had issues with a Thetford fridge, having tried all of the common sense solutions and dealer fixes, I emailed Thetford and asked for help. A couple of emails, photos etc. they diagnosed the issue and got it sorted. Usual last resort, try the manufacturer for help.

 

[SueMS]

Is this on Mains EHU and 12v when driving?

No gas used?

We use EHU when on site, 12v when driving and when we out in the van for the day it switches to gas.

 

[SueMS]

Is it possible that the fridge door is not fully closed or the door latch is in storage mode.

Thanks, but door was fully closed!

 

[SueMS]

Look up your nearest Thetford agent and get it booked in for a check over. If the pipework is getting hot then it should be working, unless it was incorrectly fitted.

Yes we have just arranged a date for it to be looked at! It worked OK for the first part of 2024, then wasn't used at all from July 2024 until a couple of weeks ago.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SueMS]

Some fridges are quite sensitive about being level.

Geoff

Yes, it was level, in the place where we always start up the fridge before going away.

 

[SueMS]

Have you got it turned up too high they work better on no more then 3 bars turn them up too high and they struggle to disapate the heat they produce so they cool down and then thaw.

Thanks, yes we did have it on 3 bars.

 

[SueMS]

I had issues with a Thetford fridge, having tried all of the common sense solutions and dealer fixes, I emailed Thetford and asked for help. A couple of emails, photos etc. they diagnosed the issue and got it sorted. Usual last resort, try the manufacturer for help.

We phoned Thetford and they just referred us to their website to find the name of a local service centre.

 

[GeoffnDee]

According to the Thetford trouble shooting guide for the N4000 series fridge if cooling is inadequate , and there is not an error code being shown ,( on control panel if LCD display or in service mode if LED display) the problem may be that the thermistor inside the fridge may be in the wrong position (dislodged?) , it should be on the 5th cooling fin from the right . This may be worth checking.

 

[dalspa]

Have you checked the tightness of the 240v and 12v connections? These should be visible by removing the (bottom) vent. Make sure you disconnect ehu before checking by gently tugging on the wires.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SueMS]

According to the Thetford trouble shooting guide for the N4000 series fridge if cooling is inadequate , and there is not an error code being shown ,( on control panel if LCD display or in service mode if LED display) the problem may be that the thermistor inside the fridge may be in the wrong position (dislodged?) , it should be on the 5th cooling fin from the right . This may be worth checking.

Thanks for replying, yes we have checked this.

 

[SueMS]

Have you checked the tightness of the 240v and 12v connections? These should be visible by removing the (bottom) vent. Make sure you disconnect ehu before checking by gently tugging on the wires.

Thanks fore replying he is going to check this today.

 

[ian27]

sorry if this is one of the obvious
does the panel show that its definitely getting 230v supply? check this by plugging and unplugging - you should see it complaining (or trying to switch source if on AES).
is it actually getting hot at the back (put your hand over the upper vent, should be a warm draft coming out) when plugged in for a decent period? for it to be cooling, there has to be noticeable heat at the back.