Date:         Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:16:17 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      refrigerator failure, '91 VW Vanagon GL Campmobile
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds1981FAACD5B86E4093E091A0700@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

I have been smug all this time about my dometic refrigerator operating well, cooling effectively, and being easy to light.  Well, it won't light, now.

When I push the switch for propane (the propane one of the three push switches at the right of the refrigerator control panel) and go through all the proper machinations, it does not light.  Another symptom is that the orange lamp that should flash to indicate that the propane switch is working does not flash.  When I push the switch, the lamp just comes on and glows with a steady orange light.

I am following the lighting protocol correctly.  this is the first time I've ever had trouble with lighting the thing, and it has me exasperated.  Usually, I run the refrigerator on A.C. for a few hours.  When the box is good and cold, I know that the heater box is good and warm.  Then I just open the propane valve at the tank, open the refrigerator, pump the pump a few times, push the propane switch, the lamp begins flashing, I make sure the propane valve on the control panel is turned to on, turn the thermostat to maximum, hold the safety button down, and pump a few times.  The refrigerator fires up.  So, if the lamp glows steadily rather than flashing, what does that indicate?

When I first got the beast, I pulled the refrigerator and cleaned thoroughly.  It really wasn't that dirty.  That was three years ago.  The refrigerator has worked great ever since, until now.  It has probably sat for longer without being operated in a couple of recent spells (about two months two different times) than any time in the three years I've had it.  Are there things that go bad in that time?

Any help appreciated.

mcneely