Things to try if your Fridge stops cooling

Example Data Sticker

Fridges in Caravans, Motorhomes and Campervans come in all shapes and sizes.  From huge fridge freezers to tiny day fridges, they really can enhance your time away, but when they stop working they can be a real pain, causing warm beer and spoiled food.  As time has gone on, Fridges have become more sophisticated and can have elaborate electronic computerised controls and digital displays but the basic function is the same as an older unit with minimal controls, to use an energy source (usually Gas, 230V or 12V) to keep the things inside your Fridge cold.

Here are a few things you can try if your Fridge stops cooling.  At best they may help get you up and running again, at worst you'll have covered off the basic things that could stop it working and could also avoid a dangerous situation.

​Whenever you are going to contact an engineer for a fridge repair, be sure to send them a photo of the data sticker that's usually inside the fridge as this will speed up part identification.

Remember that this information is provided as is, if you are not LPG qualified do not mess with the gas system.  If you are at all unsure contact a local engineer from here www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk/find-an-engineer/ or here www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/find-approved-workshop

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#1 ​

Energy selelctor switch

​Does it cool down on any energy source? 

YES - If you are able to get the fridge to cool down on one of its energy sources (Gas, 230v or 12v), then this although frustrating is good news as it shows the cooling system is functioning, so the problem is most likely with the energy source.

No - This may be bad news as it could mean the cooling system has failed.  If you are able to operate the Fridge on Gas (or 230v) and can feel warm air coming from the Fridge top vent then the Fridge should be cooling.  If its not cooling it could point to the Fridge cooling circuit failing.  An engineer can confirm this for you as there are a couple of other things it could be.

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#2  ​

Is the Fridge level?
Sometimes its not always possible to "level up" you vehicle, this can adversely affect the cooling in your Fridge.  In simple terms, Caravan (or more rightly Absorption) Fridges use heat to move a liquid to the top of the cooling circuit in the back of the unit.  There's no pump involved so gravity is used to return that liquid to the bottom of the cooling circuit, ready to go round again.  The liquid flows through a sequence of slanted tubes to zig zag back to the bottom.  If the Fridge is not level, the angle of the tubes can be reduced meaning the liquid is slow to return to the bottom, reducing or stopping the cooling effect.

#3

​Fridge works on 12V and 230V but not Gas though the gas does light.
Basic checks should be carried out, do you have adequate gas in the bottle? is the gas pressure ok? (light 3 burners at the same time on the hob and check for a good flame on all three).

If you are happy that the supply of gas to the Fridge is good, then its likely an issue with the "jet" or "Burner" which may require cleaning or replacing.  Call your local engineer to organise a repair.

Note: some Fridges may have an internal temperature sensor that can stop the system cooling on gas if it has failed.​

#4

Fridge won't stay lit on Gas.
Again, make sure you have gas in the bottle and that gas pressure looks ok (light 3 hobs as above).
​There's not much you can do if this happens to you as diagnosis and repair requires working on the gas system which should only be done by a qualified person.  

However, if your Fridge is the type that needs a button holding in to let the gas through to initially light the gas, try removing the knob that you push in, and push in the stub thats left behind.  This can sometimes work as the plastic of the knob over time goes soft and does not fully engage the stub of the control valve.

#5

Fridge "Pops" and "Bangs" when I try to light it.
Ok stop right there!! something is clearly wrong and gas is building up uncontrollably at the back of the Fridge and igniting randomly.  STOP trying to light it, switch off the gas to the Fridge and call your local engineer.

#6

Every time I switch Fridge on 230v, the caravan trip goes off.
This usually means the heating element has failed in such a way that it has shorted to earth and the protection circuit in the caravan is doing its job and shutting down the power.  Not much you can do until the element is replaced.  switch Fridge off from 230V and use the Fridge on Gas.

#7

Corroded burner and new burner.

 There are sooty marks from my Fridge vent and it smells bad on Gas.
You have incomplete combustion due to a burner/jet fault.  This is dangerous, switch off from Gas and call an engineer.

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#8

My Fridge isn't cooling and I have an error code.
Modern Fridges can monitor their performance and report faults by using an error code.  Fridge manufacturers provide guidance as to what these codes mean, to help diagnose the fault.  When you contact your engineer, be sure to mention the error code.

#9

The door does not fit properly on my Fridge and the cooling is poor.
If the door does not fit properly it can let cooled air out and warm air in giving the impression the Fridge isn't working when in fact its working fine.  Get the door rehung by your engineer as soon as you can. A door that does not fit well can also lead to icing up of the fridge interior.

#10

Yellow residue left from cooling fluid leak in back of Fridge.

There's an oily liquid in my fridge, its smells bad (like ammonia) and my food has gone black.
Sadly your cooling circuit has failed and the coolant (Ammonia based) has leaked into your fridge.  New cooling circuits are available for some fridges though expensive.  Empty your Fridge and wearing protective gloves clean out the oily residue.  Turn off the Fridge from all sources.  You will need a new Fridge or cooling circuit if available.  Contact your local Engineer for advice.

Note: the cooling circuit can also leak at the back of the Fridge and the Ammonia smell be found by the vents.  Again the cooling circuit has failed, switch off the Fridge and contact your engineer.

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