Fridge not cooling

[Northbridge]

Hi. I bought a cali from 2014. The fridge had stopped working while the previous owner had it, but he got it checked before he sold the car to me. Vw’s solution was (as always, as I can understand) to replace it, for the rather costly price of 1650 gbp.
Ive been reading up on the fridge quite a bit on this forum, and it seem like replacement is the only solution vw offers, but not the necessarily the only one. So i made a deal about getting the car minus the replacement cost, and ive been trying to fix it myself.

Well. I got it working. It turns on, and the compressor runs. As i write this, its been running on the leassure battery for 48 hours straight.
But! As the headline states, it does not get cold. I have in fact not, because of time issues, tried a thermometer. So theres a chance that it might be a little cooler, when turned on, then when its turned off, but i parked it next to a friends cali, and there was no doubt that my firdge was room temp, and his was cold. (of course ill measure it with a thermometer as the next step).

When i open the cupboard besides the firdge, the wall of the fridgebox feels cool to the touch.

The fridge got to work by slight coincedence. Mind you, that a VW garage here in Denmark had already given it the death sentence.
I wanted to check the controllerunit, but friend of mine, who is an electrician, told me to try give the small black box positioned just above the controller unit, a whack with a screwdriver handle. I did that, and turned on the firdge, and ran like a charm. (He also explained why, but im not an electritian. But basically it had something to do with the fridge not being turned on for a long period)

So. The firdge box is intact. The compressor is running. The control unit... well.. I havent had it checked, but the fridge runs, so could it still be faulty? would that cause the fridge not to get cold?

When i say that its running, its because i can se the simple on the overhead controls, and i can hear the compressor run and feel it slightly vibrating.

Any one got any clues or ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Northbridge]

I just checked with a thermometer. It says that it’s 15 degrees Celsius, inside the box. We’re running about 11 degrees outside in Copenhagen atm.

I tried all the levels for the fridge at 1-3 it switches off. From 4 it turns on and runs.

 

[scottk]

Might need regassed but you need to find out if you have a leak

 

[Northbridge]

Thanks! How do I find out, if that’s the case? And how do you regas it?

 

[scottk]

You would be best to find a local a/c or refrigeration company and ask them to take a look. Quite common for industrial units to be regarded due to the cost but not so usual for domestics as the repair can cost more than the fridge. At £1650 it's definitely worth asking.

 

[Northbridge]

You would be best to find a local a/c or refrigeration company and ask them to take a look. Quite common for industrial units to be regarded due to the cost but not so usual for domestics as the repair can cost more than the fridge. At £1650 it's definitely worth asking.

Yeah. It would think so too..

Does anyone here know the brand of the fridge? I’ve gotten contact with a camper repair man, but he needs the brand and serial number. I’m not near the car atm, and I can’t seem to google what the brand is!

 

[calikev]

waeco

 

[westfalia]

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/faulty-fridge-do-not-worry.4611/
This might help.

 

[Northbridge]

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/faulty-fridge-do-not-worry.4611/
This might help.

Thanks. Ive read that thread over and over.
That’s how I got the idea to change the controller. But as I see it, my problem differs from most fridge problems in the way that I’m actually able to turn on the fridge, and that it runs until I shut it off.

It doesn’t seem like an electrical problem. I just doesn’t cool.
I’ve checked up on the idea about it being out of gas. But the compressor doesn’t run on gas. It’s 12v electrical only.

Still. Changing the controller would be a way to try to fix it. If only I could find a way to isolate the problem.

The compressor turns on from level 3-1 on the main control panel. This could mean the thermostat is off. Have anyone tried to replace the thermostat? Or.. can I reset it?!

 

[jts46]

The refrigerator does run on gas (refrigerant), as shown in this diagram. the evaporator on the cali fridge is built into the walls on the fridge. Hence do not poke anything into the inner wall of the fridge.

 

[Northbridge]

The refrigerator does run on gas (refrigerant), as shown in this diagram. the evaporator on the cali fridge is built into the walls on the fridge. Hence do not poke anything into the inner wall of the fridge.View attachment 39540

Thanks! You sure though? I found a thread here, clearly stating that it was running solely on electricity. (The OP of the thread was questioning wether the calis fridge was as good as other camper, because it didn’t run on gas)

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks. Ive read that thread over and over.
That’s how I got the idea to change the controller. But as I see it, my problem differs from most fridge problems in the way that I’m actually able to turn on the fridge, and that it runs until I shut it off.

It doesn’t seem like an electrical problem. I just doesn’t cool.
I’ve checked up on the idea about it being out of gas. But the compressor doesn’t run on gas. It’s 12v electrical only.

Still. Changing the controller would be a way to try to fix it. If only I could find a way to isolate the problem.

The compressor turns on from level 3-1 on the main control panel. This could mean the thermostat is off. Have anyone tried to replace the thermostat? Or.. can I reset it?!

As stated below. The compressor is running but not cooling. If the thermostat has failed then I presume you would be unable to control the amount of cooling. The fact that it doesn't cool at all would seem to indicate the Refrigerant Gas has leaked out.
You would have to remove the fridge completely and get a Refrigerator expert to check the levels of Refrigerant Gas. If Low then check for a leak, repair any leak and then recharge with the correct amount of Refrigerant Gas, just as you would with the vehicles AirCon system.

 

[jts46]

The gas referred to is the refrigerant gas, don't get confused with gas as in butane or propane.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks! You sure though? I found a thread here, clearly stating that it was running solely on electricity. (The OP of the thread was questioning wether the calis fridge was as good as other camper, because it didn’t run on gas)

I think you need to read up on how a Refrigerator actually works.

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/appliances/how-does-refrigerator-work

 

[jts46]

If it was the thermostat you usually have 2 options.
1 - if short circuit fridge would run continuous
2 - if open circuit fridge would not run at all.

Or it could be a low ambient temp and thermostat says i don't need to switch on, in which case get the inside of van warm and try fridge again

 

[Northbridge]

I think you need to read up on how a Refrigerator actually works.

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/appliances/how-does-refrigerator-work

I’m sure I do. I just refered to a thread here, stating different.

 

[Northbridge]

As stated below. The compressor is running but not cooling. If the thermostat has failed then I presume you would be unable to control the amount of cooling. The fact that it doesn't cool at all would seem to indicate the Refrigerant Gas has leaked out.
You would have to remove the fridge completely and get a Refrigerator expert to check the levels of Refrigerant Gas. If Low then check for a leak, repair any leak and then recharge with the correct amount of Refrigerant Gas, just as you would with the vehicles AirCon system.

I beginning to think that the expert, is the best solution here.

 

[westfalia]

So the fridge turns on and runs until you turn it off but
it doesn´t cool at all ?
What temperature setting have you had it at ?

Have you tried resetting the control panel ?

 

[Northbridge]

So the fridge turns on and runs until you turn it off but
it doesn´t cool at all ?
What temperature setting have you had it at ?

Have you tried resetting the control panel ?

I’ve reset it numerous times. And tried all temperature settings for long periods. From 1-3 it usually doesn’t run. 4-max it runs forever. But doesn’t get below 15 Celsius.

 

[WelshGas]

I’m sure I do. I just refered to a thread here, stating different.

I’m afraid there is No “ different “. You, or whoever wrote the comment you are referring to is talking about a Gas/Electric Fridge that uses heat and Ammonia to cool the unit and often found in Motorhomes . These units are very positional in use and can use a lot of gas/electricity in use. Not useful in a California that carries limited gas supply and is designed for camping off grid.
The power source can be electric, 12v or Mains voltage, or gas, Butane/Propane.
https://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator5.htm

The California uses a Compressor Refrigerator. Much more expensive but much more efficient. How this type of unit works has already been explained.

 

[Northbridge]

I’m afraid there is No “ different “. You, or whoever wrote the comment you are referring to is talking about a Gas/Electric Fridge that uses heat and Ammonia to cool the unit and often found in Motorhomes . These units are very positional in use and can use a lot of gas/electricity in use. Not useful in a California that carries limited gas supply and is designed for camping off grid.
The power source can be electric, 12v or Mains voltage, or gas, Butane/Propane.
https://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator5.htm

The California uses a Compressor Refrigerator. Much more expensive but much more efficient. How this type of unit works has already been explained.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[scottk]

Definitely best to get a refrigeration specialist as you need to use the correct gas and they have sensors to sniff for leaks, if there are any. Best of luck.

 

[Northbridge]

Definitely best to get a refrigeration specialist as you need to use the correct gas and they have sensors to sniff for leaks, if there are any. Best of luck.

I think so too. It’s just damned hard to find one in Denmark, who knows his way around the car, as well as the fridge. I’ve read a lot about those penguin guys in the UK. Really wish we had a company like them, here.

 

[jts46]

I think so too. It’s just damned hard to find one in Denmark, who knows his way around the car, as well as the fridge. I’ve read a lot about those penguin guys in the UK. Really wish we had a company like them, here.

It is not that difficult to remove see MY article in the download section of how to remove it

 

[Northbridge]

It is not that difficult to remove see MY article in the download section of how to remove it

I’ll be sure to do that. Thank you!