Refrigerator won't start

[richard elsley]

I have a Dometic RM66E in my 77 Birchhaven.
Looks like the original, judging by the rust ;-)
The problem is: the spark igniter doesn't ignite the gas flame.
The spark is there every time I push the button, eagerly jumping from
the igniter tip to the burner grid.
If my boss sticks a match in, it lights immediately and runs happily
ever after.
Oddly, if the refrigerator has been running and I shut it off and wait a
minute and push the button, the spark ignites the flame and we are back
running.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Dick Elsley
77 Birchhaven

 

[emerystora]

>I have a Dometic RM66E in my 77 Birchhaven.
>Looks like the original, judging by the rust ;-)
>The problem is: the spark igniter doesn't ignite the gas flame.
>The spark is there every time I push the button, eagerly jumping from
>the igniter tip to the burner grid.
>If my boss sticks a match in, it lights immediately and runs happily
>ever after.
>Oddly, if the refrigerator has been running and I shut it off and wait a
>minute and push the button, the spark ignites the flame and we are back
>running.
>
>Anyone have any suggestions?
>
>Dick Elsley
>77 Birchhaven

Dick - you might try just moving the wire from the spark tip a little
bit. It might not be hitting the gas envelope in the right place.
When the burner is hot the gas might be flowing in a different
direction. Another suggestion is to file the tip of the ignitor
flat. Just like a spark plug, you'll get a hotter, more concentrated
spark if it isn't rounded.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM