Is your Dometic refrigerator not cooling on electricity or gas, even though there is power? You are in the right place. In this article, you will see how to fix all kinds of problems on your Dometic refrigerator, whether it is brand new or has served you for some years.
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Dometic Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer Works – What to Do
The most common complaint about Dometic refrigerators is that they are not cooling, even though they manage to freeze. If your refrigerator does ot cool but the freezer works, here are some of the possible reasons and solutions:
1. No Air Circulation
A hot room or hot weather restricts the airflow around the refrigerator. It is always best to keep some space around the unit to allow cool air to flow over the compressor and condenser coils.
That way, they do not overheat. But if the refrigerator is flush against the wall, it impedes air circulation and causes overheating. This makes the hydrogen and ammonia constituents in your Dometic refrigerator burn slowly and, invariably, cool slower.
To speed up cooling, move the refrigerator a few inches away from the surrouding walls. It helps to move the air around. Also, consider installing a fan behind your Dometic refrigerator. Doing so will improve the air circulation ad lower the temperature. However, do not use this method if the fan stands in the way and may cause injury or damage to the appliance
2. Positive Temperature Coefficient of the Thermistor
Another component of your Dometic refrigerator to troubleshoot is the thermistor. The temperature coefficient of any refrigerator should be negative, so if it is positive, know that there is a cooling problem.
If there is an unusual rise in the temperature of your environment, it compromises the thermistor’s temperature reading. The thermistor is a sensor that works with the thermostat and control board to help the cooling system. If it fails to work, the control board will not get a correct temperature reading and may cause the refrigerator from cooling.
Consequently, there will be a speedup in the heat exchange of hydrogen and ammonia (refrigerants), which leads to the freezer freezing while the refrigerator chamber gets warmer.
The best way to solve this problem is to unplug the thermistor and get a new one. Once that is done, the Dometic refrigerator will run smoothly, with no effect of temperature changes in the environment on it.
But then, we advise you not to use your Dometic refrigerator when you have unplugged the thermistor. In the long run, such practice will damage your refrigerator. It is better not to use a refrigerator until you have a good thermistor.
3. Loose Temperature Sensors
While most refrigerator owners rule out the possibility of the temperature sensors being the cause of the cooling problem, they may sometimes slip, move, or even fall from their position.
Ensure the temperature sensors are correctly attached to the fin; adjust the temperature sensors and change the refrigerator temperature using the control knob. Take it to a lower setting and see if the cooling capacity increases.
4. Blocked Air Vents
Another reason your Dometic refrigerator is not cooling is that its air ventilator is probably blocked. When this happens, hot air will accumulate in the refrigerator, and they will be no medium for it to escape.
The ventilator of your Dometic refrigerator is located at the bottom rare and extends to the vent cover. Due to dirt, dust, and debris, the vents get clogged, and hot air will be trapped in the refrigerator.
Consequently, there will be no equilibrium between the refrigerator temperature and freezer temperature.
To resolve this issue, you can take off the vent cover and look for what is clogging the air vents. When you see the culprit, get rid of it, and hit air will have an escape route from the refrigerator.
5. Refrigerator Coolant Leaks
Like all refrigerators, the Dometic refrigerator cannot run without a coolant. A mixture of ammonia and water is the coolant of your refrigerator.
The coolant is supposed to first go to the freezer and then to the refrigerator chamber. So, if there is a shortage of coolant due to leaks, the freezer may work, but the refrigerator chamber will not cool.
It is advised that you do not run a refrigerator on an empty coolant tank. Instead, go for a refill and defrost the refrigerator to prevent a stinking smell.
Why Is My Dometic Refrigerator Not Cooling on Electric?
If your Dometic refrigerator is in auto mode, the electric (120vac power) overrides the gas alternative. However, if the electric mode fails, you must conduct some tests to determine the problem.
The first test is to troubleshoot all ground fault circuit interrupter outlets (GFCI outlets). These outlets are installed to prevent electric shocks, which regular wall outlets cannot do. If the GFCI outlets are working correctly, examine the coaches to see if they are receiving cold air.
After that, ensure that the AC breakers are turned ON, and open the external air vent panel to access the main control board, where the 120VAC outlet is located. Check if the 120VAC outlet is working correctly.
If it is, then the issue might be the refrigerator control board fusing. We understand that this is a very technical procedure, so it is better to hire a technician than to do it yourself.
Why Is My Dometic Refrigerator Not Cooling on Gas?
If your Dometic refrigerator is not cooling on gas (propane), the problem is most likely coming from the burner control device, the gas valve, or the gas burner.
The first thing to do is when your Dometic refrigerator is not cooling on propane is to clean the gas burner. A gas burner should be cleaned at least once a year, even if it is not responsible for the refrigerator cooling problems.
When cleaning your Dometic gas burner, ensure the gas valve is closed. Also, ensure that the gas burner is not hot when cleaning it. More importantly, do not dismantle the gas equipment when cleaning since it can be cleaned with the factory setup.
If the Dometic gas burner is not the source of the cooling problem, then turn off the refrigerator and run a continuity test on all three cables. Begin with the cable of the gas burner. Test for continuity on cable 1 and 2, and then cable 2 and 3. These cables should have a 45 – 50 Ohms reading.
Once that is out of the way, measure the voltage on the power module labeled “P810”. If it does not have a reading of 1.5 VDC, then the power module is responsible for the cooling problem.
Meanwhile, if the voltage measurement of the burner control device is not between 0.7VDC and 0.9VDC, then the issue lies with the burner control device of your refrigerator.
Finally, if after these tests, everything checks out, consider replacing your refrigerator gas burner. Check out the video below to see how you can refill the gas tank of your refrigerator…
Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…
- Engel Fridge Not Cooling [Quick Fix]
- Waeco Fridge Not Cooling – What to Do
- JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]
- Lec Fridge Not Cooling [How to Fix]
- Norcold Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]
- Neff Fridge Not Cooling [What to Do]
- U-Line Refrigerator Not Cooling [How to Fix]
Why Is My Dometic Fridge Not Cooling But Light Is On?
If your Dometic fridge is not cooling even though its light is on, here are some areas to check:
1. Electrical Supply
Before performing any repairs on the refrigerator or any electrical appliance, disconnect it from the electric power. So, disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical outlet. And since there will be no electricity, it is best to store the perishable foods in another fridge or an ice-packed cooler.
Check the power cord to see if there is any damage. Also, check the wall outlet to for signs of burning. If the power cord appears damaged, you must replace it. Test the oulet with a multitester to determine its voltage supply and make the necessary repairs.
2. Temperature
Most refrigerators are accompanied by a temperature-setting knob responsible for setting the cooling temperature. If the temperature has been set too high, the compressor will be affected, and it will stop working.
This would translate to the lack of cooling the refrigerator experiences. So, adjust the knob to a lower temperature and watch the compressor start.
The issue may be from the knob itself if it does not start. You can hire a repairman to replace the knob or simply do it yourself to save cost.
3. Airflow
Your refrigerator needs enough room around it for proper airflow. The ideal distance between the fridge and the walls is a minimum of three inches and one inch between the top of the fridge and the ceiling. If there is not enough room, move the fridge to a better location.
4. Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are the black coils present just behind the refrigerator. Their job is to allow the fridge to cool by letting out heat.
Over time, the dirt build-up on the coils can reduce their efficiency and even stop the cooling process entirely. So, every 4 or 6 months, use a brush or vacuum, a clean rag, soap, and water to clean the area thoroughly.
Note that a malfunctioning fridge can stop cooling. The same is true if the coolant depletes. So, loos of coolant can stop the appliance from cooling. Check to see if there is any yellow residue inside or around the unit; it signifies the sealed system is leaking. If that is the case, you need to replace the fridge. The same solution applies if the fridge malfunctions.
Why Is My Dometic Fridge Not Cooling in Hot Weather?
Generally, hot air temperatures that accompany summer months can reduce the efficiency of refrigerators. The increase in temperature means that the fridge has to work harder to keep all food items fresh. Below are some tips that would help you keep your refrigerator up and running:
Clean the refrigerator regularly. Take it out from the kitchen cavity, then dust and clean the area where the fridge was placed. Also, keep the fridge door closed unless it is necessary to open it.
Opening the fridge allows hot air to enter the fridge, which can adversely affect the internal temperature. Make sure the fridge has enough room for ventilation. Avoid placing the fridge in a tight corner, a tight kitchen cavity, or hard against your house walls.
Furthermore, check that the fridge’s gaskets are still in place. Cool air can escape if the seal is broken, and hot air will automatically replace it. You can limit overloading the fridge with room-temperature items.
High-end refrigerators feature an auto-defrost design that helps with ice build-up.
However, it is advisable to regularly check for ice build-up and defrost manually once or twice a year before the hot weather kicks in. You can turn off the fridge for 24 hours, clean it properly, and then turn it back on again.
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