Refrigerator problem

[don springhetti]

Hello everyone,
I have a three year old Dometic refer that works great on electric hookup. However often when we disconnect and head out on the road,after a while, it will flash E 1, indicating that it is not getting any propane. This does not happen every time but often enough to cause problems. Sometimes I can shut it off and turn it back on and it will run fine. Other times it does not restart on gas or takes several tries.
Had the same problem last year. Dealer said there was a loose wire in the controls. However this did not solve the problem.
After disconnecting it might take one hour or last time eight hours before I noticed the error code. Every time however there was plenty of propane in the tank.
What do you think?

[BFlinn181]

If you do a Google search for a service manual for your model of Dometic fridge, you'll find some troubleshooting steps you can take. You can try removing, cleaning, and perhaps 'pinching' the contacts to make them connect more firmly. Also, have you determined whether the gas valve is opening and allowing gas to flow or is it a faulty ignitor issue? The service manual has instructions to reset the gap in the ignitor and other steps you can follow.

[TonyDi]

Try looking at the burners gas tube. hey are famous for spider webs and that can cause it not light. Happens on my propane grill all the time.

[powercat_ras]

> it will flash E 1 ...

I believe this code means the control board tried to light the burner with the spark ignitor 3 consecutive times and the flame sensor never sensed heat so it locked out and displayed the error. You can remove the outside lower cover and turn on the fridge then go to the back of the fridge and listen and watch to see what happens. Helps to have two people but since it takes a while to do 3 tries can be done by yourself if you move quickly from the fridge control to the back of it.

You may be able to hear the 12 volt valve that applies propane operate.

You should be able to hear the spark jumping the gap if the control board is applying high voltage and the spark gap is there and is the right gap

If you have no spark. Check connections check gap. Likely not the control board but that is worst case.

If you have spark but no flame. It may be no propane or air not yet purged out of the propane line to the fridge. You can make sure your range burners light and this will charge much of the RVs propane lines with propane if they did have any air in them. The fridge burner uses very little propane so it can take numerous start attempts to clear the air and get propane if somehow your line to the fridge is not precharged with propane. You can see if the propane 12 volt solenoid is operating by listening and checking for voltage with a meter. Some have in-line manual shut off valve near the 12 volt valve you can make sure its not in the off position.