Is this a Klixon valve problem?

[sbrianericks]

So I have this fridge, that is period correct for my 1960 Tradewind, a Dometic taken from a 59 Airstream. It is LP-only, and the back looks very good. No ammonia smell, etc.

So when I hook it up to gas and light the pilot, the pilot will stay lit, but nothing else happens. I have never played with a fridge this old, so I'm worried I'm missing something. From reading on the forums it seems this could be a Klixon (sp?) valve problem, but would a broken thermostat have the same effect?

I should probably just find a new model that fits in the space, but this one is so cool looking, and would be enough space for our family's adventures...

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Brian

[sbrianericks]

After reading some more of the service manual, I went back and looked more closely at my Klixon valve. It looks like the tongue is toast, so I'm guessing this is just dead, right? No replacing this thing?

[Thalweg]

Sorry I can't help much. I managed to get mine to run this past Spring, but that was just luck, not knowledge or skill. You probably have already seen this manual, but I'm attaching it here if that helps.Dometic Refridgerator Service Manual.pdf

[putback]

Yep looks like klixon. I can't tell by the pic about the tongue. 1st be very gentle with it, it can't take much bending it will break. I've had some luck with these. Usually the burner/orifice is plugged Needs to be removed and cleaned. If the tongue is broken off you can form a C shaped collar and tongue from soft aluminum that will slip over the existing aluminum. Well matched and secured with a mini worm drive SS clamp it will transfer enough heat from the pilot flame through the existing alum ring to the "bi-metal" disc to "click" open the gas valve. Above all else be very gentle with the entire unit, parts are not to be had. If you see even a tiny dot of flame escaping around the perimeter of the bi-metal disc scrap it, not safe.