Gas Solenoid Valve Replacement
During our last FTX (Field Training eXercise for you civilians) our absorption fridge, a Norcold N611, locked up a couple times. The infamous Gas and Power lights blinking, meaning no AC power or propane available to run the fridge. Not a good thing for weekend warriors who primarily boondock. About a year ago we experienced this fault but was due to a dirty igniter/flame sensor.
We were 3 nights in to a 4 night camping trip – not cool. After resetting it quite a few times, it finally started working again. By the time we made it back home I could not get it to light anymore. I was wondering if this was my sign to finally swap out this 10 year old propane fridge with a nice 12-volt variable compressor model. The Norcold DMC 4081 would be the perfect drop-in replacement. But we’re talking about dropping a cool grand plus after taxes, shipping, and anchoring parts.
Disclaimer
Standard disclaimer applies. Do not attempt this unless you are comfortable and experienced with working on gas lines. Better to hire a professional.
Symptoms
When turned on, the fridge would tick-tick-tick-tick-tick but no light. We all know we need 3 things for combustion: spark, air, and fuel. The tick-tick tells me we had spark. There was definitely air. Must be missing fuel. After so many attempts to light it might finally give off a WHOOMPH! But die out immediately. Wouldn’t stay lit. I could hear a strained release of propane – like something was trying to make it through. But not enough to sustain a flame. That could only be a few things. The burner tube, the gas solenoid, the control board, or a blocked gas line. I knew the gas pressure was good coming from the tanks. I knew voltage was present at the solenoid. That left me thinking either the burner or the valve. Both part numbers are listed below and are an easy find on Amazon. Just be sure your particular model number fridge is listed. Going for the cheapest item first, I ordered the $15 burner tube. Pulled it and cleaned it. No dice. Replaced it. Still no dice.
The Cure
Next up was the $69 gas solenoid valve. Turned off and burned off the remaining propane in the line using the stove. Simple gas line compression nuts came clean off and connecting the lines back up to the new solenoid was a breeze. Used some liquid propane gas leak detector and no leaks detected. The fridge fired right up. Success!
Tools Required
Offset (or low profile bit set) phillips for valve retaining screws
5/8 inch stubby wrench (valve output line)
3/4 inch wrench (valve input line)
9/16 inch wrench to hold the valve in place while torquing down the nuts
Gas leak detector
Parts
Gas Solenoid Valve – Norcold 633726
Refrigerator Burner – Norcold 621957