Dometic freezer door

[C&H from NorCal]

The door of our refrigerator has a pin at the TOP of the door that extends up into a hole locking the door firmly closed. The door cannot be opened by pulling on the handle without depressing the latch knob.

The left freezer side has a pin that extends at the BOTTOM of the door. It engages in a keyhole shaped slot that is open to the front with the larger key shaft hole at the rear. The freezer door "locks" when a ball on the door pin engages the keyhole in the slot, however the door can be opened by pulling on the door handle WITHOUT depressing the latch button.

Is this working correctly? Seems to me the freezer door should be firmly locked when closed like the refrigerator side..

Harold

[EngineerMike]

Harold- your freezer door has ESP (Error Some Place). The thumb-activated pin is sprung to return upward and spring-load the ball into the "hole" of the keyhole, so you have to press w/your thumb to release the ball to open the door. Sounds like a matter of adjustment to achieve a positive locking.

I'm guessing either the door isn't shutting all the way so the ball doesn't get "caught" in the keyhole, something in the thumb-pad-to-pin assembly has shifted so the ball rides too low to catch, or the keyhole casting is broken. First I'd check all around the door for obstructions to a fully closed condition. Second check to see that the lower face of keyhole consists of cast-plastic ribs making a ramp for the ball to ride on and to lock against once in the hole; maybe those ribs have broken off (maybe somebody yanked it open in frustration to get the Chunky Monkey?). Last resort, take the door apart.

[C&H from NorCal]

Mike;

The keyhole in my freezer receiver is not round rather it is an oblong slot. It seems the hole should be round so the door latch ball engages better. When I pull on the door the ball just slides out in the slot.

The door alignment and latch mechanism seem to be fine and nothing keeping the door from closing fully.

Is that "keyhole" round or a slot on yours?

Thanks,

Harold

[EngineerMike]

H- the slot is straight at the front, then a slightly wider round hole at the end to catch the ball. Sounds like your plastic catch piece is broken. You might be able to epoxy a patch to it for a temporary get-by while waiting for a replacement.