RV Repair: camper refridgerator, bic lighter, happy camping

Question
Hi Darren,
I've got a 1992 Northland camper with a Domestic 3-way fridge in it. My problem is that the fridge won't light on propane when I push the button on the base of the unit. I can light it manually from outside with a long bic lighter. I figured that my ignitor was bad, so I took it off and cleaned the carbon build up off of it and tried it again.  Still no luck.  I disconnected the ignitor from the wire going to it and hooked up a test light to the wire to see if I get power to it when I push the button from inside. I do not get my test light to lilght up. What do you think I've got going on?

Answer
Mike,
    I'm not sure if this frig has a piezo ignition or if it uses a relighter to light the gas since you didn't give me a model #.  If it's piezo ignition then I would check the wire from it to the electrode and make sure it's not shorting out to ground anywhere.  If it's okay then the piezo ignitor is probably bad.  If your frig uses a relighter to ignite the flame you will need to check and see if you have 12 volts and a good ground at the relighter.  If you do then inspect the wire.  You can also use an ohm meter to check the electrode for continuity and also check to make sure its not shorting to ground through the mounting bracket which can happen if the porcelain around it develops a crack.  I hope this helps, good luck and happy camping.

Darren