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eurovanman · 02-06-2016, 03:12 PM

I have a 2000 Chinook Concourse with a Dometic 3-way fridge. I just purchased this vehicle. The fridge was working great when I bought it. Unfortunately a couple nights after I bought the RV I parked it on a steep hill and didn't cut the propane to the fridge.

The next day I noticed it wasn't cold and saw the check light was on.

The fridge has not worked since. I have tried off electric while plugged in and off of propane. I can feel a cold area in the freezer, but it just doesn't get cold. The check light doesn't turn on either, and after removing the fridge vent it seems as if its lighting and burning. I can't see anything, just heard what sounds like proper operation.

Any ideas? Did I kill it? Is it repairable? It will be a pain to remove as I will need to chop it to get it out the door.

Santara · 02-06-2016, 09:30 PM

you sure didn't help it all the amonia is packed in 1 lump . have heard of taking refig out & flip up & dn to loosen. amonia. other wise time for new

Old-Biscuit · 02-06-2016, 09:58 PM

Sound like it has a 'blockage'.........the coolant is a solution of ammonia, hydrogen gas, sodium chromate and water.

When operated off level the sodium chromate can get overheated and crystallizes. The crystals plate out on inside of tubing ........accumulation is done over time and becomes permanent. Just 20 minutes of off level operation can cause crystals.

I am sure that this is a result of many off level operations over the course of the last 16 yrs. Your off level operation was just the icing. If cooling unit is blocked.

One way to test cooling unit (whether is is 'dead' or another problem exists) is to unplug the thermistor (temp sensor in food section clipped to far right fin).

With RV level.........
Unplug the leads at control module (outside compartment) turn fridge temp control setting to max and run fridge on electric element for at least 24 hrs.

With thermistor unplugged the fridge thermostat has no temp sensing and will run cooling cycle continuously.
If food section does not cool down below 40*F after 24 hrs. then cooling unit is blocked and will need replaced or whole new fridge installed.

Freezer may get cold and food section not..or neither will cool down properly if cooling unit is issue.

eurovanman · 02-14-2016, 07:20 PM

UPDATE:

The fridge works great on electric now. I will have to test propane later this week to see if it is working on propane too.

What may the issue be if it works on electric but not propane?

Santara · 02-15-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurovanman

UPDATE:

The fridge works great on electric now. I will have to test propane later this week to see if it is working on propane too.

What may the issue be if it works on electric but not propane?

its a propane problem could be clog jet, no gas, bad solonid as when it sees AC that is first choice over gas.

eurovanman · 02-15-2016, 04:18 PM

Never mind problem solved. Works on both.

powercat_ras · 02-15-2016, 05:40 PM

If you want to make sure there will be no damage if you forget to shut of the fridge when out of level in the future check out this product: http://www.arprv.com

eurovanman · 02-15-2016, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powercat_ras

If you want to make sure there will be no damage if you forget to shut of the fridge when out of level in the future check out this product: http://www.arprv.com

Thanks I am going to look into that. Living in San Francisco its hard to avoid the hills. I will also jus have to get in a routine of thinking about the fridge everytime I park. I would go all electric fridge tomorrow, but my fridge is too big to get out the back door of my Chinook and would need to be sawed in half or the windows removed from the van.