Dometic RM2852 fridge stopped working

[East on 72]

2 days ago, my Dometic RM2852 fridge stopped working. It's in a '97 Sunline Saturn T32SS. Its was working great on shore power for a week and a half. I noticed some loud clicking noise coming from the service panel outside and then stopped. Later that night, I noticed the check light was illuminated (fridge was set on "auto") and things was starting thaw in the freezer. I've only had it working on shore power....not on gas....havent even tried on gas. The next day, I opened the service panel and then the control board to test and make sure it still had power going to it and it does both 120v and 12v. Theres no smell of ammonia and no signs of a leak. The heating element is also cold...not warm. I've tried resetting to get the gas to light but that's not working either....not even clicking for the igniter. Is it possible that this issue could be the control board? BTW, all the dust and webs have been cleaned out after the pics were taken lol

[JohnB]

Hi,

I can try and help, the RM2852 is just the bigger version (longer and more internal space) of the more popular Sunline RM2652 I do believe.

We need to confirm a few things.

1. Make sure I have this correct. You said the fridge was on "Auto" (the yellow Auto light was on) and running well plugged into 120 VAC shore power. Yes/No?

2. Then you saw the "check light" come on and things were not working (no cooling) Yes/no?

The "check" light is only to indicate a gas flame fault. It does not mean the electric stopped working, it means there is a problem with the gas part of the fridge. Even if you did not switch it to gas, the system auto switches from 120 VAC electric to gas when you lose 120 VAC.

If you did not take the fridge out of Auto, then it points to the fridge control board stopped seeing 120 VAC and it switched over to gas mode. Gas tried to light and it failed 3 times trying to light and then went out on safety and turned on the check light.

If you try to run the fridge on gas, (manual) and hear no clicking of the igniter after a few minutes, then it can also mean the main control board has issues. OR the gas igniter has issues or both.

If what I said above fits what you are seeing, this is going to take some electrical troubleshooting to sort out what does or does not work. Do you have a volt/ohm meter and know how to use it? You will need to read 12 VDC, 120 VAC and do an ohm resistance check and be electrically friendly enough to feel good about doing this type of electrical testing as there is risk of shock if done wrong.

If the electrical testing is too much for you, then if you have an electrician friend they can help OR a camper repair dealer.

Also, that fridge had a recall on it. It is a safety recall and is free and still active. I do not see the recall parts in your pictures. Any Dometic repair center can do the recall for free for you.

Hope this helps

John

[East on 72]

Thank you for the reply John!
Answer to #1, yes. It's on a permanent campsite and constantly on shore power.
Answer to #2, that's correct.
I did try to run the fridge on just gas mode as well but hear no clicks at all. I did go ahead and order I new control board thinking that may be the issue. At least can start there. I get the part on Wednesday and will update the process.

[East on 72]

I just want to give an update on the fridge. The control board was the issue. The fridge works flawless once again! Ordered the board from dinosaur electronics.

[JohnB]

Great!!!! Thanks for reporting back.