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Why Does The Check Light On Our RV's Dometic Refrigerator Stays On While In Auto Mode?

by Alan
(Auburn, GA)

My Dometic refrig (RM2652) has the check light come on after a few minutes while in AUTO and when plugged into AC power. Refrig still keeps things cold and freezes water and food. Is this a serious problem? Book says it should only come on when using GAS. It was working fine until the recall was implemented.

ANSWER: Greetings Alan thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

I am afraid that I am not going to be of much help to you on this. The check light on your fridge could be on for a number of reasons including a bad control board, voltage problems, etc. The only way you will know for sure if it is a serious problem or not is to take it in and have it diagnosed by a Certified RV Technician.

I cannot tell you whether the problem was caused by the recall repairs. I would suggest that you take it back to the same place that did the recall repair to have it diagnosed.

Leave your RV repair bills to us—Good Sam Extended Service Plan

For more information on the problem you are experiencing with your Dometic Refrigerator you might want to take a look at the answer and comments on the question below.

The Check Light On The Dometic Refrigerator In My RV Keeps Coming On

I hope that you get this resolved soon.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

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Happy RVing

RVing Al

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Comments for Why Does The Check Light On Our RV's Dometic Refrigerator Stays On While In Auto Mode?

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Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Onwer
by: Thomas

I have changed the lower board i have power 12. 120 v and 12 v no lights come on
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic NDR1062 shuts off during cold weather
by: Lori H

When the temp outside gets to the lower 40’s the check light comes on and when it reaches 32 degrees, the fridge completely shuts off. I can’t get it to turn back on until the weather warms back up into the forties. I keep it on auto but tried it on gas for awhile. Same thing happened. Anyone have an idea as to why? I’m new to this and a full timer.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fridge is shutting down only when traveling
by: Anonymous

Rm2652 works on propane fine when parked but when travelling it always shuts down ,Check light is on,,,remove power from fridge and turn back on i hear the propane valve and the spark right away, burner lights ..I have bbanged everything on the fridge when in propane mode parked and it never shuts down, running on a stand alone battery nothing else attached,,when i turn of propane propane valve is on and the respark tries 50 times in 60 seconds then check light,, turn gas back on and i have instant start,, all grounds checked new power supply wires Fridge works perfect when Parked ??? I am stumped ?????? anyone ??? ideas
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		check light on in electric mode
by: Landlord

Had the same problem when i bought my RV (used). found that the connection numbers on the board were not in the same order as the schematic. This caused the thermocouple to be connected to the wrong terminal. Check your wiring and look at the numbers on the board.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2019dometic frig check light comes on in120 ac and shuts down cooling process
by: Anonjeffymous

2019dometic frig shuts down in auto mode. Check light comes on every half hour after reset.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		You know the battery is weak
by: Anonymous

I failed to keep battery charged once a month so I know my battery needs replacing but I have not. So I knew battery was week. So the first trip on the road with only gas powering the fridge I noticed both auto and check lights on. Also noticed fridge not as cold as it should be. Then when we stopped at camp site and hooked up to electricity I knew battery would full 12 Volts. Both lights still on so I turned fridge off then on and only auto light is on. Conclusion: replace battery so fridge can work while on the road.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Check light after recall
by: Anonymous

Sounds to me like the techs installing the recall are somehow damaging the board during the recall while connecting the sensor.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		check light stayes on/refrigerator on electric
by: bob

our model is RM 2852,on electric mode, check light stays on. heating element replaced 2 years ago,now its happened again. what is sad is this 5th wheel 2004 Triumph model 33 5z. has only been camping one time since 2004,and has set in the driveway since. we are getting it ready to go camping for the 2nd time in Oklahoma. the repair people down here get $110.00 an hour, we don't recommend this brand anymore.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Cost of Dometic Cooling Unit
by: Alaska Lass

I was just charged $1600 for this replacement. The part was $900 and the Labor $700. Is that the norm? Travel trailer is a 2003 and the model on the refer is an RM2652. Just wondering ....?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic refer not lighting
by: Richard

My refer on gas mode will light on the first click then after about 20 seconds it starts trying to light while it is lit. It will strike about 50 times then gas shuts off and flame goes out. It will repeat this cycle multiple times. Till it throws a check code sometime while I'm gone
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic recall done/check light comes on-on gas
by: Anonymous

Had my rm3663 fridge "done"per recall and now after two tries at a fix the "check"light comes on and it's not cooling as my stuff defrosts in freezer/needs board? Dinosaur phone# please!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic Refrigerators / Check Light #2
by: br_549

As I said earlier, 12 VDC is the "brain" of your RV, without it nothing will operate.

I have seen loose power & ground wire, corroded grounds, faulty or intermitent Power Supply Converters and bad batteries... and anyone who is going to diagnose anything on an RV should have a good multimeter as every RV'r should have one in tool box & also, know how to use it...

ONE EXAMPLE: Check Light on DM2652 fridge & erractic Furnace Operation... after running all diagnosis, it was determined that Power Supply Converter was failing on a 2 year old unit use only 7 times & then purchased by second owner who wwas a full-time RV'r... voltage spiked between 10.1 - 14 VDC and anything below approx 10.5-11 caused all 12 VDC control boards to act erratic... check light came on, furnace didnt cut off... was able to get coach mfg to replace under warranty but it took days of constant monitoring to figure it was not a board, ground, loose wire, etc as everything had to be checked out... after power supply swapped out no issues... but then 6 months later "fridge" started freezing... it was determined at this time due to flucuation of voltage, it has caused relay on board to arc the contacts which kept constant 120 VAC to heater element which caused "freezing"... this was determined by days of monitoring... now, relay cannot be replaced on board, so board replacement in order...

HERE IS THE CATCH: Your Local RV Shop makes its living by fixing your unit the quickest way possible and getting it out the door & down the road or you want to save money & do it yourself... well, what you DO NOT NEED is "part replacers" as that is the expensive way to do it as is the time that it take to diagnose it correctly... purchase good diagnostic tools, do not take short cuts or just replace parts cause Joe's down the street did the same thing as yours and as with everything, you have to know these systems and even though they came out of same factory... different people installed the components that are manufacturered exclusively for the RV industry... these are NOT homes but RV's that use two different voltage types to operate 12 VDC and 240/120 AC.

IN CONCLUSION: Please know and learn the in & outs of your RV's electrical system.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic Refrigerators / Check Light #1
by: br_549

Come on people... first & foremost on a RV electrical system is the combination of 240 or 120 AC & 12 DC volts... and the 12 DC volts coming from Battery and/or Convertor is your control power supply for everything within your unit with the exception of Microwave & your TV's which are powered by 120V AC only...

Without a steady 12VDC presence... it reeks havoc on all 12VDC control boards also GROUND can cause same issues... as everything is relative to the 12VDC system.

As for Dometic, they make a good product as does Norcold and other manufacturers... How many times have I had a customer call and say my "fridge" or AC needs "freon"... well, I doubt your AC needs it and "I KNOW" your "fridge" NEVER had it and it ends up being a simple 12VDC wiring issue... that happens to be intermitent... your RV is on the road & your home is not... so things work loose or are exposed to weather elements that home components are not... [more in next post]
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dometic refrigerator problem.
by: don

my problem with my ref.it doesnt want to operate
in the gas mode. it turns on the gas mode the unit
will operate for about two minutes then shut off.
the gas lights and i can hear it and the
thermocouple gets hot.when i push the gas button it will relight. it works ok on battery and ac. can someone tell me what is wrong?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rm2652 check light for auto mode
by: Anonymous

Same issue with mine and it turns out my outlet that the fridge pluggs into was not getting power so i plugged it into a different outlet and works fine on the 120 now so my outlet is junk
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		control board
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem where can you get one of those aftermarket boards. Any one have a link.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2652 dometic
by: Anonymous

same problem... works wonderful on gas but just keeps clicking when i try to use my electric, oh & btw i just spent $560 replacing the cooling unit & changeover regulator,,,wish i knew how to fix this!!
seems to b a common complaint
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dometic fridge repair
by: Anonymous

I replaced with $40 after-market heating element and mine is working perfect.

read my previous post: not sure if mine ever had recall or not, but it was looked at by RV tech and was told I had updated version.

My sheet metal chimney/stack has a slot where the 90 degree bend on the element comes out. My old burner had moved quite aways up (maybe from bumpy roads??). I slid the new burner further down, so the 90 degree bend lines up with slot. I think it won't have to work as hard??

NEVER going to get a recall on these issues. Mfrer only recalls SAFETY ISSUES, never defects or poor quality. They might issue a TSB (technical service bulletin) so the techs can isolate and repair problem quicker. Recall is expensive and it's all about the Benjamins.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RM2652 Check light problem
by: Anonymous

Purchased a 2003 Coachman with the Dometic refrige and I am having the same problem with the check light staying on. Definitly a common problem with this model and should be taken care of by Dometic. If they don't I will never again purchase a motorhome with a DOMETIC refrigerator and I will let anyone and everyone I know NOT to purchase anything with a DOMETIC in it.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Control Board Issues
by: R. Sellers

There are a LOT of other RV'ers out there who have had this exact same issue with the Dometic Fridge.

Seems like the best advice is to install a Dinosaur Brand Lower Control Board - solves some of the DV ground issues and apparently is just a better made board than Dometic's® 3850712.01 board.

I'm ordering one this week and plan to install it myself.
Rating
starstarstar 		heating element
by: canucklehead

I am going to replace my electric heat element. seems common on these and is relativey cheap ($40) compared to replacing PC board. Also, my gas is perfect and i only have electric not cooling.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		dometic RM2652 check light on
by: 07 salem trailer

I haven't had the recall work done yet but according to my model and serial #, it needs done. My fridge recently stopped working on gas only mode and I got it to work a couple times by having it plugged in to 110V AC and then while leaving the fridge on, I pushed the button to switch it to gas and it would light and run on gas. This worked a few times and now it doesn't seem to work on AC or gas and the check light comes on, goes off for a couple seconds and then comes on and stays on whether in auto or gas mode.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		no leak and everthing works
by: Anonymous

same problem.are fridge wont cool at all.Going to buy aftermarket board and put in.Tell ya if it works.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dometic fridge check light
by: canucklehead

I have the exact same Dometic model, RM 2652, and the exact same problem. The check light is coming on when we're plugged into 120V AC power, and select "Auto". It actually sounds like the fridge is trying to light (I can hear the igniter clicking), despite being plugged into 120 power. When we select gas, it lights fine and runs good. I always thought the check light was for gas operation, not electric.

As for recall, there seemed to be some confusion on mine. The model number suggested it had the recall. And Dometic sent me to an authorized dealer to have it dealt with. The dealer went to install the kit, and said I did not have the model
with the defect issues, and I already had the updated version. Apparently the serial or product number will help determine that.

So I don't think i've been through the recall. i also think my issue is unrelated to what they recalled and replaced, as stated above by someone else.

PLEASE...let me know if the new board fixes it. Is there a different replacement board, such as Dinosaur (they made a superior replacement board on another 1994 Dometic fridge we had in our Caribou camper). And way cheaper.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		possible reason
by: Anonymous

In my RV this means the high humidity operations mode is on. Hope this helps
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Recall
by: Anonymous

If something goes wrong on the recall the fridge will not even power up. I have installed over 500 recall kits and have never had an issue with the check light but I have had some just not power up at all after it was done.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic Refrig Check Light Problem
by: Anonymous

After having recall work done on our Dometic refrigerator, it will not operate on 120 volt. The check light comes on and the refrig will not get cold. It will get cold on gas. This never happenen until we had the work done about three weeks ago. Sounds like a recall problem to me.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2652 Light
by: bill

Replaced my board and the light still comes on. I turn it off/on and it takes a while to come back on. Im gettin a little discusted. I have turned my gas off to the ref since im on park power.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes same problem
by: Anonymous

I have the same issue with check light staying on. After some research I have narrowed it down to the control board. There should be a recall for this since numerous people have this problem and Dometic knows it is a problem.. In order to get your refer lit, follow this procedure.

1. Turn refer off.

2. Disconnect white ignigtor wire at ignitor box.

3. Reconnect ignitor wire to ignitor box.

4. Make sure gas button on refer is selected, not auto.

5. Turn refer on. You should here ignitor click and propane light.

You may have to do this twice, but it works. The other alternitive is to purchase after market control board.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dometic Recall
by: Wade

For the record,the dometic recall is basically adding a temp sensor and heat shield to guard against fire. It has nothing to do with the basic operation or the check light on the unit. Does it work ok on LP? If so I will assume that the control board is the problen and its common. The contol board usually cost about 250.00 and you can buy alot of LP for that price. If it doesnt work on LP has there ever been an amonia odor or are there yellow stains on the vent side of the refer? If the answer to either is yes then the cooling unit burst in the back and the fridge is basically junk.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same Problem
by: Jason

I know this may not be much comfort, but you are not alone with this problme. I am experiencing the same exact problem with our Dometic refrigerator. We bought our used RV last summer and had the recall issue taken care of by our local RV place. Now our RV will not seem to light when in gas mode. It worked fine before. While on shore power it works fine. I have not talked with anyone about yet at the RV place, but plan to do so soon since something with the recall caused this. My first thought was that perhaps the ignitor somehow was disconnected for safety and then never put back.

Note From RVing Al: I would be very interested to hear from any other RVers that have had the recall work done on their Dometics to see if they are also having this problem after the work was done.

Again, considering the number of fridges involved in the recall the check light problems could still be a coincidence in both your cases. If we get more RVers having the same problem then we are developing a trend. Please let us know what had to be done to fix your problems.

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