1991 dometic refrig not working on propane

[zitty2016]

I have a 182B dometic refrigerator in my 1991 Westy which works on 110 AC but not on propane. This unit has electronic ignition, not the piezo ignition that works off the air pump. According to the owner's manual, when I press the gas button, the red light on the refrig panel should flash, then become solid when the unit lights. On mine, as soon as I press the gas button, the red light is solid. I don't hear any clicking sounds either. Any thoughts appreciated.

[candyman]

Are you sure its not lit? Easiest way to check is to stick your ear up close to the outside flue vent. Listen for the sound of a flame, if lit the sound is pretty obvious and can fee heat coming from there as well. Mine last dometic used to fire right up, pretty darn quick. Made me wonder a few times if it was really lit or not. Especially if you run it on 110 first

[zitty2016]

The green light on the cabinet (lowest of the 4) did not light as it should if the burner was lit, also could not see any flame at the peep hole. I did not listen or feel for heat at the vent-I'll try that and post results.

[zitty2016]

No heat at vent and no flame sound either-doubt burner is lit.

[davevickery]

Listening is the best way to know for sure provided you are not in a noisy neighborhood. If it really didn't light and red light went solid it points a problem with the electronic igniton box or a the piezo being grounded out (like if a large chunk of carbon got between the ignitor end and the metal inside the burner). That is pretty unlikely. The ignitor might have bad connections with the wires, or be bad internally. They still sell generic replacement igniters that are a direct fit.

A long time ago, I posted a link to a troublshooting diagram the dometic electronic fridges. If you need it and can't find it, pm me. I think you should be able to find the thread if you do a search.

[Sodo]

Try this:

Compressed air and a shopvac to clear the combustion area. Bugs come in from your outside flue to huff propane. Then they die near the pilot lighting area and their carcasses can ground out your electrode, preventing the spark.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=313666&highlight=

You may have to remove the fridge from the van to check if the spark is "leaking" somewhere along the wire between the igniter and the pilot light.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3993793#3993793

My Dometic was pretty reliable on 120v, but ALWAYS failed on the road, no longer cooling by the 2nd day. I bought a Truckfridge CF49 and was satisfied for awhile, but it chows the battery before the 2nd day, so it's not really working for me either. I tried the 4x22AH=88aH setup, but those type batteries are pretty low quality I think, that set of 4 lasted only a couple years. Now I have a Diehard Platinum 65aH deep cycle battery, I guess it's OK. But I want my 3-way back. I still have the take-out 1990 Westy Dometic fridge (electronic ign. like yours).
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[candyman]

[syncroserge]

Same symptoms as the last one I worked on. Try starting it with the engine running.

WBX gets old ..compression goes down..engine starts fine with weak battery..