It may be a fuse and as we have only just got back hubby hasn't looked too deeply into it yet, however thought I would see if you knowledgable lot have the answer for him.
The fridge works ok on the electric and gas but won't work when connected up to the car for travelling, not such a problem on a short journey as I tend to put it all in a coolbag and fill the fridge up when we get to the destination but will be more of a problem for our longer journeys in May.
Thanks
------------- "Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"
I was of the understanding that the caravan fridge while being hooked up to the car & being towed only kept things cool along the journey, When you get to where ever you are going but back onto gas or electric to get it back on full power to freeze etc.
This happened to me..... Depending on your caravan check your control panel for confirmation the the car's electrics are hooked up to the caravan. If not it will be the 15 amp fuse in the main fuse box in the car that's blown. Mine was so I replaced it and its all good now.
Is car supplying power to fridge while driving? does car/caravan have twin leads or single 13pin? You either need twin 12n & 12s leads, ie both plugged into car or if you have modern 13 single connection you need to ensure that towbar fitter has made all pins live.
As stated though it won't get that cold on 12v while towing. To check, tow for half hour at least & then feel pipes in freezer compartment, they should feel distinctly cold.
We have twin sockets on the tow bar and up until recently has been working fine when connected for travelling, the fridge doesn't get cold when travelling and also the light on front of fridge doesn't come on to tell you it's in towing mode.
Thanks for your replies so far.
------------- "Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"
This happened to me. It turned out that (even though my car had the single 13 pin socket) the car did not have the additional wiring loom required to power the fridge. It only had the wiring necessary to work the brake lights. I had to have the additional wiring retro-fitted to my car. Very poor show considering the towbar was an optional extra. VW should have informed me of the requirement to add the extra wiring loom. Lesson learned.
Also, I have found out that I need to start the engine, then go back to the caravan and switch on the 12V system with the engine running, as the fridge does not come on automatically with the ignition.
Once I have done it in that order, the fridge runs happy as long as the engine is running.
Ours hasn't worked since we bought it 2 years ago. We mentioned it when we had it serviced but were told it was fully working. The above tips might well solve our problem
Like JenniferB I had exactly the same problem with my Audi. I ordered the car with the factory fit detachable towbar, which came equipped with the new 13pin single socket. However on connecting the van only the exterior lights worked and I could not get the fridge to operate from the car.
I got the garage to check the electrics to find that the Audi did not have the necessary wiring loom to power the fridge and the cost when quoted by Audi for retro fitting, was not worth the cost of doing it, can't remember the exact amount, but with labour and the wiring was well into three figures.
Now we power the fridge on electric before leaving home, and dont open the door until we arrive on site, everyting stays nice and cold.
As a footnote, I did call Audi HQ at the time and complained, but was told they are not fitted with the necessary loom even on factory fit. Hence why with VW being linked with Audi is possibly why JenniferB had the same problem.
Is this the case with most manufacturers who factory fit? Lesson learnt for me, if I order another new Audi, I will insist they fit the necessary wiring at the dealership prior to giving them the order at no extra cost!
This is interesting as we had a towbar fitted on our galaxy for towing or caravan and fridge does work via the electrics from the car on journeys. We are looking at getting a new vw transporter and were going to get a ff towbar, so is it advisable to have it done by our local towbar company instead? Would they ensure it had all appropriate looms/wirings etc for the fridge to work. As we will be doing a few stops around France I'd rather the fridge worked whilst in transit, especially as it does now.
The fridge supply, if done by a retro fitter is basically a permanent supply ( mine is actually taken from the cigar lighter type socket in the boot ) with a fuse in line then generally a relay to only allow power to the fridge, once there is sufficient power being generated by the cars alternator.
Basically it is quite an easy addition that can be added by a competent diy er or should not be too expensive to get done by an auto electrician or towbar fitter.
I bought a brand new transporter a few years back and specified a towbar and the dealer had it fitted at a nearby garage. Told me they would do just as good job and even use the same parts but it would cost less than a third to get done. An honest dealer at least!!
The additional wiring is a intelligent relay that turns on when the voltage reaches 14v, when the engine is running then.
The fridge won't work on 12v only 14v.
If it use to work it could be a fuse in caravan, dirty connection in plug from caravan to car or the relay in car. Worst one could be alternator on car.
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Topic: Fridge not working when travelling
