RV Fridge NOT COOLING? - Quick and Easy Fix - Thermistor Hack - Dometic Fridge

Is your Dometic RV/Camper fridge just not cooling, but your freezer seems to work just fine? This quick no-nonsence trick could very well be the solution.
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[@KeoniKoa]

I came to KZbin to research why my RV refrigerator wasn't cooling and I'm so glad this is the very first video I watched. After the video ended, I went to check my temperature slide and the cable was completely off and dangling. I'm glad I didn't have to waste hours on videos that would have had me jumping through a bunch of unnecessary hoops! Thank you so much for this video. Now I have to wait 24 hours and see if me reconnecting the cable worked. Fingers crossed! 😆

[@DIYBRY]

I hope all goes well for you!

[@stevethompson210]

Why do you have to wait so long?

[@KeoniKoa]

@@stevethompson210 To give the refrigerator time to work down to a colder temperature.

[@rexmichaelson]

Never realized the thermostat was adjustable within the plastic slide piece. Great info and vid, thank you!

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching. Subscribe!

[@skippythemagnificent3975]

Solved my problem instantly. I was used to the knob style temp control. Thanks so much!

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe 😎

[@rogermckenzie-q3i]

Did exactly what you said to do, worked. Now I’ll tape it like you recommended

[@DIYBRY]

@@rogermckenzie-q3i Glad to hear it worked. Thanks for watching! Please Subscribe. Will have more trailer fridge videos to come.

[@mjones6115mj]

Took your information and used it on my 1998 Dometic RM 2652. Did as you had. Fridge is now roughly 36 degrees

[@DIYBRY]

Glad it’s cool. Thanks for watching! Subscribe! 😎

[@Luv2camp316]

Just learned something new. And it couldn’t have been more simple. Thank you and keep producing videos. I have now subscribed.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@julieleach4657]

Thanks for this amazing video...short, to the point and most importantly effective!! You rock!

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching!

[@bottomfish662]

I honestly didn't even know that temp control existed. (I have no cooler/warmer decals) I was worried I was gonna have to replace the whole thing. Had the exact same problem, this was the exact fix.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE!

[@LisaSmith3663]

Just had the exact same experience. I've been trouble shooting this for a long time. I had no idea.

[@Viajando6301]

Honestly Dometic suks, I have had nothing but problems but thank you for the white tape idea, you are the best! ❤

[@DIYBRY]

Glad to help. Subscribe 😎

[@davenstorm7271]

Should the Probe be at the top of the sleeve or bottom , i see some people saying to let the probe stick out of the top a little ? Really need help with this asap ! ​@@DIYBRY

[@DIYBRY]

@@davenstorm7271 the higher, the thermometer, the colder the fridge you can have it stick out of the clip if there’s a room or you can just put it to the top of the clip and put it close to the top as you can.

[@davenstorm7271]

@DIYBRY Thank you bro I called Domentic the other day they said to have the thermistor in the middle of the sleeve , so it's hard to know what to do . I have moved it to the top but don't seem to be anybetter . If I'm running off shore power for my fridge does my motorhome still need to be as level as I do running on propane ?

[@DIYBRY]

@@davenstorm7271 yes. Level is very important for the freon to work properly. RV fridges really are a pain.

[@LisaSmith3663]

OMG. I had no idea. Thank you so much. I've been watching other KZbin's and trouble shooting all day long since yesterday. I had no idea this thing even existed. I saw the hot and cold on the side of the fridge and couldn't figure out what I was supposed to play with. I even read the trailer manual with the fridge pamphlet in it. I was thinking about calling a repairman and how much it was going to cost. I just pushed it up and have not even checked but pretty sure that's it because I heard a hissing sound.

[@LisaSmith3663]

Got my sub for sure.

[@DIYBRY]

@@LisaSmith3663 Thanks for watching. Glad to be of help.

[@LisaSmith3663]

Well shoot. 8 hours later and the water I have in the freezer is definitely no where near frozen. I don't have a temp sensor.

[@DIYBRY]

@@LisaSmith3663 is it in its way to becoming frozen? Are you plugged in or on gas? My need to wait 24 and see.

[@LisaSmith3663]

I'm plugged in and I have propane. Not really feeling very cold inside the fridge or freezer. I moved it again and hit the on off switches again. I'm waiting. @@DIYBRY

[@hcaldwell4085]

We drove to Yellowstone this year and during the trip the refrigerator seemed to maintain higher temps over time. Right now, I've got power, and I hear it light on gas or start on electric, but it doesn't get cold. I checked the thermister, which I knew nothing about before your video, and it was laying in the bottom of the fridge. We will see if this helps it out being in the top of the fridge where it belongs!

[@DIYBRY]

@@hcaldwell4085 Best of luck to you. Thanks for watching! Subscribe 😎

[@DuaneCollicott]

You rock! Mine had completely fallen out of the slider and was hanging down. What a terrible design.

[@DIYBRY]

Indeed! Thanks for watching. Subscribe 😎

[@kylecantrell9072]

Great video! Quick, to the point, and super helpful! Thank you so much!!

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE!

[@idahoron]

Thank you! I have a Dometic RM2354 with the thermostat on the front of the fridge. This is in my four wheel camper. This fridge has never gotten colder than about 30 degrees colder than the outside temperature. So if its 90 outside its high 50's low 60's. The thermostat you showed in your fridge has the sticker that showed colder or warmer. My fridge doesnt have that. The thermistor in mine was all the way to the bottom almost hanging out. I tried to move it up and there was not enough wire. I looked at the back. When the thermistor was originally installed. The tech routed the wire up and over a coil. It had even melted the outside cover a little. I routed the thermistor and wire a more direct route and put it all back together. Now the thermistor it all the way to the top. I have my fingers crossed.

[@DIYBRY]

I hope it works! Good luck!

[@idahoron]

@DIY-BRY after re routing the thermistor wire my fridge started working better. But it would not get colder than. About 40. I installed a new thermistor. Now it will get to 30 degrees while set on high at night. During the day it raises to 35 on a 90 degree day. All my testing was done while not opening the fridge. Thanks for the video. It helped me learn a lot about my fridge.

[@DIYBRY]

@@idahoron glad it helped make a fellow DIYer out of you.

[@davenstorm7271]

​@@idahoron Mine is the same way my cord is to short and it only allows my sleeve to slide half way up , can I pull on the back of it for more slack ? I'm afraid of tearing it up .

[@msdarby515]

​​@@davenstorm7271Same problem. Mine comes out under the shelf and won't even reach the sleeve. I rerouted it and now it is in the sleeve but only goes about a couple inches up

[@stevenclark3092]

Thank for making this! Helped alot

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching

[@Ebaytopseller]

​@DIY-BRY thank you so much you saved me tons of money 💰

[@DIYBRY]

@@Ebaytopseller Thanks for watching!

[@khrissvela4131]

Perfect fix! Thanks bro!

[@DIYBRY]

@@khrissvela4131 Prefect enough for a new subscriber, I hope? 😉

[@redsundress]

Well I'll be jiggered... That's what that plastic wiggly shaped funky piece is for haha... I had no idea, and to find this video just when my fridge decided to become his brother the freezer!! A fixing we will go hi ho hi ho!! Thank you! ya gotta love You Tube the University of "well I'll give it a try" !

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching!

[@Doc.Holiday]

What that Thermistor is recording is the internal temperature at a given level within your refer and regulating the output accordingly. Heat rises and cold is denser therefore falls. Putting an internal fan within your refrigerator would cause the thermal layering to be almost non-existent and the thermistor to call for cold based upon the unlayered temperature of the internal box.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for the information for the community.

[@whatfreedom7]

Ah nice to know. I knew you could slide them but didn’t know anything about them shifting inside. Update I checked mine and yes mine was at the bottom the same as yours. Problem is mine has no slack to get it more than half way up. When I go outside to look there is a tubular thing with a shield in the way were the wires would be coming out. I can’t even see the wires so I’m screwed. My fridge is hitting temps of 50-55 when I start opening it.

[@jellybeanjj24]

We didn’t think ours had slack either. My husband slowly pulled from the entry point in the wall and was able to get a bit more of the wiring out to give some extra room just now. I hope that helps!

[@DIYBRY]

There any easy access screws in the “tubular thing”? Have you tried tugging I the line to pull it through?

[@whatfreedom7]

@@DIYBRY I went back out their morning when I had better lighting and tried again. The wire was wire tied to all the tubing on the back and ran up over the top then down the other side not really leaving any slack. So I cut the wire tie pulled it out and rerouted on the lower side now I have plenty of slack to put the sensor at the top. I found specs on mine in the manual and says 8,10k after sitting several minutes at 33-35°. So I dunked it in ice water several minutes and I’m getting 8k so I think it’s ok. I’m going to plug it up and run it in this hot weather with no AC and see what my temps get to. If it can keep up with no AC it should be perfectly fine since I’m running AC normally.

[@DIYBRY]

@@whatfreedom7 Good work!

[@whatfreedom7]

@@DIYBRY just curious but do you know about long it normally takes to get down to temp?

[@Ritterkritterz]

Awesome hack!

[@TraciMaskoske]

Thank you!! We are going to try this. We seem to only have trouble on extremely hot days. It was very frustrating!! Do you find it works better when you are not on gas and plugged in or is it the same problem?

[@DIYBRY]

@@TraciMaskoske My trailer works beautifully on sure power. On propane, the fridge, this year, has been struggling to stay cool. I believe I need to get my Freon levels checked.

[@TraciMaskoske]

@DIYBRY Good to know. Our next trip is going to be a hot one but we have a powered site. Appreciate your time and thanks again for the help!!!

[@DIYBRY]

@@TraciMaskoske You’re welcome. Hopefully helpful enough to earn myself a new subscriber? 😉

[@oldeststudent2004]

Very helpful quick fix.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching. Subscribe!

[@littlet-rex8839]

We had a prolonged cold snap in December, apparently it affected the hydrologic leveling system and the RV wasn't level, took us a while to figure out that this was the reason our fridge stopped working, not the freezer, just the fridge

[@DIYBRY]

Yes. Keeping it level makes a huge difference.

[@lesterthedog1]

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[@joe1071]

Yo, what was the fix? Just making it level?

[@thefurfam]

​@@DIYBRY ❤❤❤❤❤❤11

[@BakeNLikeJake]

So my fridge has the same thing but my plastic peice too hold the temp sensor is missing can I just tape the sensor toward the top of fridge above the colder sticker on the side of the fridge or does it need too be inside the plastic peice on the fin ?

[@DIYBRY]

Or your could get a replacement piece like this: amzn.to/44VPS0u

[@BakeNLikeJake]

@@DIYBRY okay thanks so do you think taping it above the sticker would work too ?

[@DIYBRY]

@@BakeNLikeJake Only one way to find out 😎

[@johnr5545]

Nice job god bless

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe 😎

[@samray2763]

Worth a shot at least. Mine just stopped cooling one day, would still run, but no cooling. Sad part is that all wires look fine, no ammonia leaking, guess the old girl just had enough.

[@DIYBRY]

Good luck to you!

[@tanman5448]

Dude thank you so much for this!!

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE! 😎

[@Nick32486]

I used and alligator clip on the bottom right when I got it and this damn thing only goes down to 50f in the fridge if it’s 70f degrees outside, freezer will go between 4 and 15

[@DIYBRY]

What is the BTU on your propane lines that connect to your propane tanks?

[@triciaherrera211]

Hi, i am a little confused. Isnt auto + light to run on battery and the button popped out + no light for gas?

[@DIYBRY]

In means Auto is ON. Out is gas only.

[@TwoCaptainsOneShip]

Thanks. Having the same exact issue, hopefully this helps.

[@DIYBRY]

Hopefully 🤞🏻 Thanks for watching!

[@brandonkeller859]

Did it help? I'm having this issue, just adjusted mine

[@DIYBRY]

@@brandonkeller859 on gas or electric

[@brandonkeller859]

@@DIYBRY electric,.. I adjusted the plastic slider then switched it to gas but when i switch to gas the AUTO light at the top isn't eluminated, is that normal?

[@DIYBRY]

@@brandonkeller859 the AUTO button, only illuminates when you click on the auto button. If you click on gas auto should turn off.

[@walterkirsch3324]

You rock, Thanks so much.

[@DIYBRY]

Glad to help. Hopefully rock enough for a new subscriber! 😎

[@tammyward3423]

Why does the thermister need to be at the top of the clip? Mine does not have a long enough cord.

[@DIYBRY]

That’s how they were designed to function. Have to tried slightly pulling in the line to see if there is more slack?

[@astro_press]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe 😎

[@glennkappenberg6081]

Thx brother u just saved me a big headache

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching. If you want to support the channel, consider sending in a super thanks comment on the video! ;)

[@mamawlife7852]

Just got my camper today and it has no temp control or anything. Freezer seems cold but fridge is doing nothing.

[@DIYBRY]

What’s the year, brand, and model?

[@salenasolano7980]

I cant figure out why my check light keeps turning on some days it won't be on then it comes on I'm using electricity... am I suppose to push the button to auto

[@DIYBRY]

In theory, you should always have it on auto. It is supposed to automatically switch between gas and electric.

[@user-rj9sf1vu8l]

What if the white plastic piece is missing?

[@DIYBRY]

You can get a generic one like this: amzn.to/44fWUMk

[@kathrynkiger270]

We have a Dometic full size fridge in our RV it shows an Err 13 on the display. Does anyone know what that error code is?

[@DIYBRY]

heating element in the fridge drain is not working

[@DragonPilot]

I have a Dometic 8501. The thermistor is held by a similar clip, but the clip is secured to the fridge back wall by a torx screw. Even when I remove the screw the thermistor wire won't let me slide the clip up. I'm going to try to trace the wire from the back of the fridge to see if I can loosen it, but there's not much working space on the backside. Any other ideas?

[@DIYBRY]

I am not familiar with that particular model. Looks nicer than mine. Best of luck.

[@whatfreedom7]

I’m having a I have the same issue. They pulled mine so tight the actual sensor won’t go more than half way and my temps are inadequate. There is no slack so even when you push the drip tray back it pulls the sensor back down to the half way point. I opened the access panel and I can’t see or reach it at all. I’m screwed and will have to use a damn cooler I guess.

[@davenstorm7271]

You get this problem fixed ? Mine was the same way , i took my panel off and the thermistor wire was zip tied in 2 places i cut them off and now have all the slack i need . ​@whatfreedom7

[@DragonPilot]

@@davenstorm7271Which panel are you referring to? No I still haven’t fixed it.

[@davenstorm7271]

@DragonPilot Your outside fridge access panel, I took mine off traced the Thermistor wire down, it was looped and had two zip ties on it , that's why I couldn't pull any slack inside to move the sleeve up to colder temp , I cut the zip ties lose and it gave me all the slack I needed to pull the thermistor up as far as I wanted ! The factory did this shit on purpose! To make you think something is wrong with your fridge.

[@whatfreedom7]

My temp thing is on the left and everyone else’s is on the right but I don’t think it matters.

[@DIYBRY]

I would not see why. Just a different model perhaps.

[@whatfreedom7]

@@DIYBRYI found it’s only on a few models. Mine being a RM2351 is also non adjustable. That’s why mine has no temp adjustment sticker on the inside of the fridge.

[@DIYBRY]

@@whatfreedom7 Thank you for the information for the community.

[@ianward4842]

Mine don't got a clip, just a wire that hangs in the fridge😭

[@DIYBRY]

You could try a generic clip: amzn.to/4bZicSH

[@chrischavis839]

I've had my thermostat piece touching the top of the fridge for 8 hours today and im still having this issue. My freezer is freezing but the fridge is like 60 degrees.

[@DIYBRY]

Is the thirmister in the clip to the top too?

[@chrischavis839]

@@DIYBRY yeah

[@DIYBRY]

@@chrischavis839 trying to cool on gas or electricity?

[@chrischavis839]

@@DIYBRY so far just electric, it is a new unit that I just got last week. When we went to the dealership to get it the fridge was cold and it was plugged up using electricity there.

[@DIYBRY]

@@chrischavis839 If that the case, I would call back up the dealer. There has to be some kind warranty on a new unit.

[@KnoxCarbon]

Is there an improvement when gas isn't running?

[@DIYBRY]

It always seemed to work just fine when hooked up to sure power.

[@KnoxCarbon]

@@DIYBRY We live in California, it gets very hot in the summertime. Do fridges like this struggle in the heat?

[@KnoxCarbon]

I did what your vid told me to, 'cept I used electrical tape. My fridge went from 70 to 45 overnight, didn't even need to turn on the gas. Thank you so much.

[@DIYBRY]

@@KnoxCarbon Glad to be of help. Consider supporting the channel by leaving a super thanks comment 😁

[@jaymzbaker9862]

Both my freezer and fridge isn’t working

[@DIYBRY]

Sound like you need to get you Freon checked out by a service place.

[@Yob126]

dab of hot glue...

[@DIYBRY]

Acrylic hot glue. Otherwise it can crack in cold temperatures.

[@allenthomas914]

I tried this and put fridge is still warm

[@DIYBRY]

Probably need to have it serviced.

[@allenthomas914]

@@DIYBRY I don't have anybody close to out campsite that will drive out

[@DIYBRY]

@@allenthomas914 sounds like he may have to pack up and head out.

[@allenthomas914]

@@DIYBRY what do you mean?

[@DIYBRY]

@@allenthomas914 you said no one would come to your campsite. So it sounds like you’ll have to pack up your campsite and go to a service place.

[@Shamano37]

This is the absolute worse design I've ever seen. Can't get mine anywhere close to the top. I hate everything Dometic

[@DIYBRY]

I agree with you there.

[@sbramel93]

Yes, Dometic makes stuff designed to fail and limits parts availability

[@whatfreedom7]

Mine was so tight you couldn’t even move it up. I had to go cut wire ties in the back which was a total pain before it could move up. My fridge still won’t keep up at all so I’m going to have to switch to a cooler for my primary storage. At least then the fridge could stay closed more and see how it does. It’s been warm enough it hit 50° and my hamburger meat turned brown.

[@DIYBRY]

@@whatfreedom7 Trailer refrigerator are certainly a huge headache.

[@whatfreedom7]

@@DIYBRY I’m doing a test run to see how it does since I have trip coming up. So far I turned it on this mourning and I’m sitting at 50° after being on all day. Given it’s hot with no AC on and it’s the first day. I’ll see how it’s doing tomorrow evening but I’m seriously wondering if somethings wrong with it? I have a normal mini fridge at work that will get ice cold on half way even in 90°. Yet this thing struggles to even get cold. I’m wondering if there could be a low refrigerant issue from the factory or something?

[@robertsandidge441]

Yep. Dumbest thermostat design EVER. I REMOVED the wire from the plastic and used a clip similar to what you did.