Check Light On RV Fridge: 3 Best Maintenance Tips To Follow
Do you see that glowing check light on RV fridge and wonder what’s wrong? It’s like a little warning sign, telling you that something isn’t right with your fridge. But don’t worry! I have faced a similar situation and will help you out.
Continue reading to learn about the eight most common reasons why the check light is on. Also, learn the three best tips to maintain your RV fridge’s optimal performance. So, without wasting a minute, let’s dive down into this detailed guide.
Table of Contents
An Overview of Check Light On RV Fridge
The check light is a little light on the top front of your RV fridge. When the check lights on your RV fridge light up, it is a signal that something is not right with your fridge. However, RV fridges can work using electric mode or gas.
So, if the check light came on when you are using electricity or the automatic setting, it means both the electricity and gas systems might have a problem. In this situation, your fridge won’t cool down properly.
- Sometimes, the issue might be simple, like forgetting or not plugging into shore power.
- There can also be an issue with the fridge’s heating element. Some heating elements such as water heaters last a long time, but others can stop working within 2 years.
Before you call an RV tech to fix it, try some easy fixes first or use the heat shield. I will talk more about these common problems in the next sections to help you resolve the issue quickly.
Understanding and Fixing a Blinking Fridge Check Light
When your RV fridge is set to use electricity, you should not often see the check light blinking. If it does, don’t worry; you can switch to the auto light or AC power settings to turn it off, and your fridge should get back to working normally.
However, when the fridge is set to auto and you notice the light blinking, there might be a problem with either the lower control board or the upper controls.
- You can do a simple check using a volt meter to see if your power source is providing unstable electricity, which the control panel doesn’t like.
- If you find that the electricity isn’t the issue, it’s a good idea to call a professional repair person. They can inspect your fridge and determine if one or both of those parts (the lower control board or the upper controls) are faulty and need to be replaced.
Common Reasons and Quick Fixes For Continuos Check Light
After going through the basic details about the RV fridge light blinking, let’s learn about the culprits behind the continuous check light.
- Poor Ventilation: Modern Dometic model fridges need proper airflow. Keep your fridge away from walls and remove any obstructions around it.
- Damaged or soiled seals: Fridge seals can loose power and their integrity, so keep them clean. Debris can prevent the door from sealing tightly and allow warm air inside.
- Dirty Evaporator Coils: Regularly check and clean these coils as they can get dirty over time.
- Soiled Condenser Coils: Clean these coils when you clean the evaporator coils. They can accumulate dirt too.
- Thermostat Settings: Ensure the thermostat is set to the correct temperature and check if the gas valve is open.
- Igniter Issues: If the igniter isn’t working, you might need to replace it.
If none of these solutions work, it’s possible that your fridge or some of its parts are defective, and you’ll need a professional technician to assist you.
3 Tips to Maintain Your RV Fridge for Optimal Performance
Maintaining your RV refrigerator is essential to ensure it continues to work properly and keeps your items cool during your travels. Below, I have outlined some detailed tips and practices to help you maintain your RV fridge in optimal condition.
1. Leveling Your RV: Keeping Your Fridge in Balance
To keep your RV refrigerator functioning as it should, maintaining a level position is necessary. While the fridge doesn’t need to be perfectly level, staying within about 3 degrees of level is recommended to avoid potential issues.
However, being level is not just about the fridge; it is also important for the overall stability and comfort of your RV. It ensures that the cooling unit in your fridge operates effectively and prevents potential damage.
2. A Clean Flue for a Reliable RV Fridge
Regularly cleaning the flue and burner tube of your RV refrigerator is a necessary maintenance task. Even if your fridge seems to be working fine, keeping these components clean can significantly reduce the odds of experiencing burner-related problems.
Cleaning the flue and burner tube helps maintain proper gas flow and combustion, which is essential for efficient cooling.
3. Enhancing Airflow for a Cooler RV Fridge
Adequate airflow around the refrigerator’s vents is essential for its proper operation. Also, make sure there are no obstructions around the vent located at the top and back of the refrigerator. If your RV fridge is equipped with a vent fan, make sure it’s in good working condition.
If your fridge doesn’t have a fan, consider installing one. A vent fan helps maintain consistent airflow, reducing the workload on your fridge and promoting smoother and more efficient operation.
Reviews from RV Owners on Dealing with RV Fridge Check Lights
Over the years, many RV owners have shown their concerns when dealing with RV fridge check light. Considering that, I am going to share some of the reviews to help you understand the issue in a much clearer way.
Many RV owners have shared their experiences with RV fridge check lights. Some have encountered the issue during power outages, particularly with Dometic fridge check light. This can be a common scenario, and the check light comes on when the Dometic fridge switches to propane mode due to a lack of electricity.
Users often mention resetting the fridge by turning it off and back on as a quick fix. Additionally, users have reported check lights staying on while their RV fridge is in auto mode. This situation can be attributed to various factors, including:
- Leveling;
- Ventilation;
- Component issues.
FAQ
What does red light on RV fridge mean?
The red light on an RV fridge, often referred to as the check light, typically indicates a problem within the fridge system. This issue could be related to factors like uneven leveling, inadequate ventilation, dirty components, or other issues affecting the fridge’s proper functioning.
Why is the gas light blinking on my RV fridge?
Gaslight blinking on the RV fridge means the fridge couldn’t detect AC power, so it attempted to switch to gas mode, but that switch failed. Check the power source and propane supply to troubleshoot the issue.
What should I do if the check light on my RV fridge comes on?
If your check light turns on your RV fridge, follow these steps to troubleshoot the problem. First, start by checking the level of your RV, ensuring it’s within the recommended range. Examine the ventilation around the fridge and remove any obstructions that might impede airflow. Clean critical components like coils and burners to ensure they function optimally and verify that there is an adequate supply of gas.
Conclusion
The final say is that Check light on RV fridge goes on due to malfunction within the refrigerator’s operation. In case you are out of or not plugged into shore power, make sure that your RV fridge switches to propane gas for interrupted performance. Moreover, if the check light come on suddenly, inspect and clean the flue and maintain the balance of your RV fridge.
Have you ever used any Dometic refrigerator or the check light issue? Share your experience with me in the comment section below and I will await your feedback for added knowledge.
I`m a current Law Enforcement Officer working within the Counterterrorism Bureau in New York State. I have been Camping for over 20 years. My styles of camping include tent, car, truck, van, and RV travel trailer. I have a YouTube channel where I teach all types of camping with an entertaining method: https://youtube.com/@TheSmallsRVAdventures
