Refrigerator won't stay running on propane

[T Reno]

1991 Excela having problems with the refrigerator staying running on propane. The refrigerator ignitor doesn't always start up the frig. I can use my handy BBQ lighter and it fires right off. The frig. will run for a day or two and then shuts off. I checked the ignitor in the dark and can see a small spark. Any suggestions.

Will this also cause my furnance not to ignite because my furnace failed to light the other night when the frig was not functioning. Is there a safety device that shuts off the propane once one unit fails to ignite.

Both propane bottles are full, gas stove works fine. Please help- it is suppose to snow tonight.

[Lily&Me]

We had a problem with our frig not lighting a few years ago, took it in somewhere and they scraped buildup of some sort off the burner??.....I don't know exactly what, but you sound handier than me so may be able to look around and see.

Good luck.


Maggie

[TG Twinkie]

I would check (replace) the thermo couple. It may be covered with crud.
If yours has the circuit boards. You may try cleaning the connections.


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[AtomicNo13]

Replace the reigniter. These are a known weak point.
Sometimes they work sometimes they don't. Often temp dependent. $22 online!

[perryg114]

I would suspect the regulator or some restriction in the line. If you are having issues with both units, that is where I would look first. One way is to turn on a burner on the stove and watch it when you turn something on like the water heater or the furnace. If the flame gets really low when you do this, then you have a delivery problem. It could be a loose thermocouple but if you have problems with other appliances, then I would look elsewhere.

The thermocouple on older fridges provides current to keep a gas valve open. On the newer fridges, it feeds into a control board and it won't let the burn stay lit unless it senses heat. The control board shuts the burner off when the fridge is at temp and then the board opens the gas valve starts a little spark plug and ignites the flame. Dirt, wind, moisture or a bad control board can cause things not to work well.

Perry