Visit our Popular Forums

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 05:46 PM

So my wife and I just arrived to our campsite on our very first trip in our brand stinking new Intl Signature 25FB. All is going according to plan EXCEPT the refrigerator will not turn on. Pressing the power button does nothing.

I've checked the fuse; all appears fine and I believe other items on that fuse work. The fridge is plugged in to its receptacle inside the exterior cover. The owners manual doesn't give a troubleshooting item if there is no power.

So, I'm left with two conclusions. I either have a power source problem that I'm not going to be able to resolve "in the field" OR I'm doing something stupid and triggering some sort of fail safe mechanism that is preventing it from starting.

PS- All other electrics appear to be functioning as intended.

PPS- This is also the first trip out of winterization.

Help!

AWCHIEF · 03-01-2015, 06:00 PM

Does it work on gas?

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 06:02 PM

Negative. No power at all on the display.

rmkrum · 03-01-2015, 06:06 PM

Also needs 12volt power, possibly.

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

3 Dog Nite · 03-01-2015, 06:10 PM

Go ouside and look inside the fridge exterior access door. Maybe the installer at the factory did not plug it in. I've done that after reinstalling my fridge after repairs.

n2916s · 03-01-2015, 06:24 PM

Any chance you are still in "store" mode? Sounds like the frig isn't getting any 12 volt doc...

Mike

Gene · 03-01-2015, 06:27 PM

Did it work before? If the plug in the outside compartment tight? The buttons that turn it on are covered with a rubber cover. Sometimes that cover displaces and pushing it does nothing. I think you have to remove the plate over the buttons to readjust it, but sometimes fooling with it gets it back in the proper position. Is there propane in the tanks? If they went empty, it can take a while before gas gets to the fridge—if the stovetop burners work, leave them on for a few minutes to move propane through the lines and push out the air. The fridge will try 3 times to light on gas and then quit. Turn it off at the button and then wait 30 seconds and turn it on—maybe that will work. There are a lot of 12 v. connections in the back of the fridge—pull off one at a time, clean both sides, put it back, move on to the next one, etc. Do not remove more than one at time because you will get them mixed up. It can be difficult to tell if the fuse is ok. Change it out with another fuse of the same amperage to see if the fridge works then. Then go buy extra fuses.

The fridge will take many hours to cool on electricity and less time on gas. It may be working, but not enough to cool yet. Use gas only if you want to cool it faster. If on gas, locate the gas burner at the back and see if it is hot—I don't think it gets too hot so it burns your hand, but you should be able to feel some heat when your fingers are close but not touching. You may be able to hear a flame.

If none of that works, call the dealer and your mother. Your mother probably doesn't know how to fix it, but she will be comforting. Then go out to eat and buy some ice.

Gene

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 06:28 PM

Got it! So get this: Having just pulled it out of storage and reconnecting the propane tanks, it appears that the system was in fact in some sort of lock out mode because there was no propane in the line. I realized this might be a problem based on reading the ops manual and so I light the stove and within 2 seconds the fridge kicked on. Unreal. "Smart!"

Thanks for the help all! This forum is incredible.

AWCHIEF · 03-01-2015, 06:36 PM

Excellent, now get that ice making.

Martin724 · 03-01-2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaseav

Got it! So get this: Having just pulled it out of storage and reconnecting the propane tanks, it appears that the system was in fact in some sort of lock out mode because there was no propane in the line. I realized this might be a problem based on reading the ops manual and so I light the stove and within 2 seconds the fridge kicked on. Unreal. "Smart!"

Thanks for the help all! This forum is incredible.

I was reading along to see if I could be of assistance and I see that you've found a solution. We've probably all just learned a little here. Good job. That is an awesome fix!

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 07:06 PM

Update: The temp display just reads 60 now. Doesn't appear to be doing anything and unit not making any sounds. It does feel cool in there though. But at least we know it's not a power source problem!

n2916s · 03-01-2015, 07:19 PM

Going to take awhile. Probably tomorrow morning before you get a stable, useable temperature. Absorption reefers are like that.

Mike

**moosetags** · 03-01-2015, 07:36 PM

Put your hand against the back wall of the freezer compartment. If it is working properly, it should feel quite cold.

You can help the refrigerator along by putting a bowl of ice in each compartment.

Brian

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 07:40 PM

The freezer is getting coldish. The fridge is still room temp, maybe a slight chill. Looks like it's functioning normally but I'm unable to turn it off using the buttons inside the freezer door. Also can't select a temp.

**jcanavera** · 03-01-2015, 08:13 PM

If you can't get things stable, give Airstream a call and see where they want you to go. For all intents any authorized service facility for your refrigerator should be able to look at your fridge and diagnose what is going on. While you have a warranty from Airstream, the fridge also carries a manufacturers warranty. Hopefully that warranty is for the same length of time as is Airstream's. In some cases warranties on some appliance may actually be longer than Airstream's. I found that out on my tank monitor panel which had a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer.

Jack

**moosetags** · 03-01-2015, 08:18 PM

What is showing on the little LED screen on the top molding?

Brian

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 08:36 PM

The display was reading 60 but it's dropping to 53 now. Buttons just don't function. This thing has a mind of its own but as long as the milk stays cold, were okay!

chaseav · 03-01-2015, 08:36 PM

(It also has the auto "dot" selected)

**moosetags** · 03-01-2015, 08:42 PM

That part sounds like it is working properly. The 53 should be the temp in the refrigerator section. When you push the button on the right behind the freezer door, it should show a number 1 through 5. Is it doing that?

Brian

rmkrum · 03-01-2015, 09:18 PM

Fridge really needs to be turned on WAY early so it can cool down. We crank ours up a full day before we load it with pre-cooled food from the home fridge. Even on propane it takes on the close order of forever to cool off.

One of those things I read on the forums after I thought ours was not working... 😣

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums