I have an electrolux RM4271
It works great on 230v and also runs well on 12v when hooked up to the towbar electric whilst the engine is running but I've tried to get it to run on gas without success. The pilot light will light but simply goes out when i let go of the ignition button I've held it down for approx 50 secs and it still won't stay lit. I've also cleaned out the back vents without any luck. Does anybody have any ideas as i'm trying desperately not to be dependant on electric hook up.
There is a very thin copper tube which runs from the flame up to the thermostatic valve on the front of the fridge fascia. The heat from the flame expands the tube contents (liquid?) and keeps the valve open. If the flame goes out the pressure drops and the valve closes
I had a similar problem to yours many years ago and overcame it by covering the tube with tape (not close to the flame though) which kept the tube warm enough to keep the valve open
Itg sounds like you need a new thermo couple Steve. It conects on to the back of the gas valve, and has a sensor that sits in the pilot flame. They are not dear, but may be a bit tricky fitting if you don't have much access to the top of the fridge.
I did read something about the knob ( dial ) not being able to be pushed in fully to engage the thermocouple . Or something like that , may be worth a quick check of the knob .
It certainly sounds like the thermocouple. They aren't expensive but will probably need the fridge pulling out and therefore the gas connection has to be broken. When the gas connection is remade then a pressure check needs to be carried out to ensure there are no leaks.
Quote: Originally posted by wizard9956 on 24/2/2010
I did read something about the knob ( dial ) not being able to be pushed in fully to engage the thermocouple . Or something like that , may be worth a quick check of the knob .
atb
Wizard
Thanks wizard
I removed the front facia so i could push the gas dial all the way in but still no joy. Thanks for the suggestion though. Any ideas who could fix it for me and how much do you think i'm looking at if it is the thermo coupling.
sounds like either a thermocouple or it could be the ignition unit can you hear it clicking when you push in the knob, just I've replaced so many ignition units I can now do it with my eyes shut( and I bet it's a thetford fridge )
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I would have expected the knob to be the problem, simply setting it in the lighting position and then pulling the knob off and pushing the spindle in on it's own while lighting the flame, proves if it's the cause or not.
If not then it's possible the 8mm gland nut holding the thermocouples cold end into the gas valve is loose, or if not loose, unscrew it and pull out the tip and clean it, once screwed back in and nipped up this often gets them working. (see explanation of how it works below)
If all that fails, then it's the hot end in the flame at fault, this could be lack of maintenance or in very rare cases the thermocouple actually needs replacing.
This really needs to be done by someone who knows just how it should be so it works perfectly, and not just gets it barely working again!
When heated by the flame, thermocouples produce a tiny amount of electricity this is then used to energises an electro-magnet.
When the knobs pushed in, it holds a piece of iron in contact with the magnet, once energised it grabs the iron and holds the the gas safety valve open when the knobs released
When the knob hits the fascia first before the iron makes contact with the magnet, or the tip of the thermocouple is not making a good electrical connection, then the magnet cannot grab the iron so the valve will always shut when you let go.
Thwack, your mixing up thermocouples with thermostats? it's the Thermostats on fridges that work in the way you describe
there is a jet nozzle at the near end to the flame (left hand thread ) it is most usual for this to be blocked, remove it and replace it and i am sure this is the answer
I've fixed it, I took the grilles off the exterior of the van to gain access, pushed the fridge forwards about 6-8inches so that I could get to the burner cover a little easier,Removed It and there was loads of soot type debri. I brushed the burner off then tried lighting it and hey presto. I can't believe it was so simple to fix.
So that's 3 great jobs I've done thanks to all you guys:
An Isolator switch fitted to my battery, Fixed My Truma heater that wouldn't light on gas and now fixed my fridge. Oh and fitted a new battery. What a great website this Is.
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Topic: How can i fix my fridge
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