No sparky - no lighty

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ally
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No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 22.02.2018  ·  #1
As Paddy McGuiness would so eloquently put - No sparky - no lighty

Our fridge won't light on gas, works perfect on the other two options. I can hear that the spark is very very weak. I can light it manually with a lighter.

So... never replaced the sparky bit before/ Any advice?

The fridge is this one Thetford N145



Ally
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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 22.02.2018  ·  #2
eirebus
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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 22.02.2018  ·  #3
Check the voltage going to the sparky bit , the connection s may be a bit coroded causing the weak spark


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 22.02.2018  ·  #4
Also check if the sparky bit is clean and positioned correctly


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 22.02.2018  ·  #5
Ally
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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #6
Cleaned it with sandpaper, still won't light. There is no spark that i can see and a very very weak click about 2 - 3 times. If I light it with a lighter it goes out after a few seconds so I assume it thinks it is not lit? does it also act a s a thermocoupler?

Buy a new one?



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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #7
Have you checked the ignitor? On mine, the long button I push has an AAA battery in it, so easy to replace. The weak click would suggest the battery is done. AFAIK if the thermocouple is wrecked, the ignition light can still light, but the heat from the flame won't open the thermocouple. I would try the battery first.


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #8
Quote by Helgahobby

Have you checked the ignitor? On mine, the long button I push has an AAA battery in it, so easy to replace. The weak click would suggest the battery is done. AFAIK if the thermocouple is wrecked, the ignition light can still light, but the heat from the flame won't open the thermocouple. I would try the battery first.


Someone else suggested that, but I don't think ours has a battery, I think it works of the leisure batteries.................... hmm I'll double check.


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #9
Think the thermocouple is separate. Did you sand the part of the fridge that the spark earths too. Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like the tip of the igniter is very close to the metal back.


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #10
Sorry Ally, looking again I assume it it the burner that acts as the earth. Is it rusted?


Ally
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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #11
Quote by Mark&Wendy

Sorry Ally, looking again I assume it it the burner that acts as the earth. Is it rusted?


That's were I was confuddled. I've never witnessed it spark so assumed it was there, but then wondered if there was a bit missing.

I sanded the burner but only lightly, If that is were it earth's it'll need a better clean. I'll try that thanks.


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No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #12
A few check troughs for to look at .
Is the fridge earth good.
How good is the spark if you put it to another earth source away from the fridge .
Try separate earth to the burner its self.
Is the spade connection plugged into the circuit board or onto a sparking unit. What is the arrangement ?
When connected to a circuit it also works like a thermocouple on some unites ( how I don't know)
If connected to the board is the board earth good
Is there a dry solder joint on the board or any arching where the spade plugs on .
On my fridge the connecting between the cable and the spike was bad inside the ceramic housing .to test my one I put a separate wire onto the spade connector, held it to an earth and got a fine spark.
In the end I replaced the complete burner unit.
That's enough to keep you occupied for now.


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 05.03.2018  ·  #13
If you have a separate thermocouple it will look like the tip of this one. The tip must be in the flame when lit.
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Ally
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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 28.03.2018  ·  #14
I prodded, poked, wiggled, tugged, pushed, sanded, filed and cursed. Still no joy.

Have now bought and fitted another new power board @£135 and it worked straight away.



Old one is only 18 months old so hoping for a refund, we shall see.

It's working for Easter that's a plus :)



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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 28.03.2018  ·  #15
Brilliant job ally,the wonders of technology. Nothing worse than warm Carlsberg.👍


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Re: No sparky - no lighty

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Posted: 28.03.2018  ·  #16
Hope you get a refund on the 18mth old unit,

On the plus side you will have perfectly chilled 4.3% 500ml Donegal carlsberg 😂😂


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