New heating element didn't fix the problem.

[29348]

The Dometic RM67 fridge in my 74 Safari quit this past summer. We made do with with ice chests, but that is not a satisfactory permanent solution. After reading many of the forms, I decided to try and see if the fridge would run on gas. It does, perfectly! Many forms said if it would run on gas, but not on electric, that the heating element was probably bad. So, I replaced the heating element. It still won't work. I've double checked my electrical connections, and I've made sure the interior settings are on "Elec." There isn't any switch to change from gas to electric, at least I haven't found it. I didn't change anything when I went from electric to gas. I don't know what else to do or look for. I'm hoping it's something simple (stupid on my part) that will be an easy fix. Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks, Linda

[Jim in Pima]

My guess is one of two things.
There is a electric heating thermostat, could be bad
or" when you turn the knob from gas to electric, there is a switch back there that may be bad, or disconnected.
A meter would solve the problem pretty quick, disconnecting the electric and using a ohm meter across the fridge plug, woudl show if the circuit is open, then turning the thermostat and gas control might show who is defective. Might even be a bad cord.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by 29348

The Dometic RM67 fridge in my 74 Safari quit this past summer. We made do with with ice chests, but that is not a satisfactory permanent solution. After reading many of the forms, I decided to try and see if the fridge would run on gas. It does, perfectly! Many forms said if it would run on gas, but not on electric, that the heating element was probably bad. So, I replaced the heating element. It still won't work. I've double checked my electrical connections, and I've made sure the interior settings are on "Elec." There isn't any switch to change from gas to electric, at least I haven't found it. I didn't change anything when I went from electric to gas. I don't know what else to do or look for. I'm hoping it's something simple (stupid on my part) that will be an easy fix. Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks, Linda

Linda,

First thing to verify is that your new element is working. To do this, unplug it from the switch/thermostat/board (depending on your model) and make a pigtail to allow you to plug it in to a working 120VAC outlet directly. In a few hours, your boiler tube (the round chimney part that you put the element into) should be warm and your cooling unit at the back of the fridge should be getting warm also. The interior of the freezer should also start to get cold at this point.

If your element is OK, you have to follow the control wires back from where your element connects to the fridge and look for burnt/non-functioning components. You should have a VOM meter to help you to determine if any of these other components (switch, thermostat, etc.) are working.

To do this, you set the meter on resistance (ohms) and put a lead on each contact. You should get no reading when the switch is off, and a reading of infinity or an actual ohm reading if with the switch 'on'. Also, the thermostat should give you a reading if it is good and the test is done at room temperature.

[herrgirdner]

A quick word of advice: Be sure the ac power is disconnected before starting to use the VOM. Don't ask me how I know to do this.
good luck