Dometic on/off button problem

[Gene]

The last few times I've turned the Dometic on or off, the button was hard to use. Now it has pushed back behind the plate and cannot be used. Each time I try to push it, it just goes further back into the void. I turned it off by pulling the 12v fuse.

Turning it back on isn't so simple. I imagine the plate can be pried out and the switch is mounted on the back of it. Perhaps some screws have come loose, perhaps it was glued. There are lots of "perhaps".

Has anyone had this happen? Does the plate pry off easily or is there a trick to it? How is the button attached and what will I face when I repair it?

I know there are people who design things that cannot be repaired, and/or getting to the repair site means hours of work. I fear the entire refrigerator will have to be removed, 35 screws will need to be unscrewed, plastic retainers are used that break when you try to loosen them, and the entire plate has to be replaced and costs $75 and is backordered.

Gene

[dogpound]

Gene:

We had some problems our temperature control panel onthe refrig last year. When we were in Albuquerque (on the way to a rally) we had the A/S dealer look at it. He took the unit apart and cleaned the control board. They have tendancy to get dirty and then won't work. Your problem may be a little more than an cleaning issue but they would be the best place to start unless you go to the dealer in Colorado Springs.

Hope to see you at some rallies down the road.

Bob

Member 4CU/CAC
WBCCI # 10105
AIR # 28748

[Gene]

It was easy too. First of all, the plate behind the freezer door with the 3 buttons does not pry off. There's a cover at the top of the fridge that comes off with two screws. Then the entire button plate comes out when two clips at the top are released. There is small plastic electrical plug at one side that I worked out carefully from the circuit board so I could work on the dinette table. Then I removed the two small Philips head screws to get the board off the plate. Each button is a rubber cap-like thing that fits over the very small push switches mounted on the board. It is easy to push the rubber buttons off center and then they don't work, so I repositioned and centered the rubber button, put the whole thing back together and it worked.

If this happens to you, I suggest removing the 12v. fuse to the refrigerator first so you cannot short anything. I removed the wrong fuse (something about counting to three without checking my fingers), but didn't do any damage.

With the trouble some have had with their refrigerators, this was a blessing. Those rubber buttons are not well designed, but it's a lot easier than try to make the thing cool when it won't.

Gene