The fridge lighting and then immediately going out is usually a sign of a draft problem. It lights and then starves for oxygen. Look for blockages and leaks. Ensure the baffles-separator plates outside are installed correctly and that there is no leakage-blow back from the exhaust to the air intake. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 1:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Fridge problem... which thing is malfunctioning?

1983 Westy. Fridge out for combustion chamber cleaning about 4 years ago.

I have enjoyed years of great fridge use until two trips ago, about three weeks ago, when I was driving across the Mobile Bay Causeway in the same 70 mph winds that killed eight sailors that day. It was scary enough in a potpie camper.

Anyway, I didn't notice anything that night, but in the morning it was down say 15 degrees from where it should have been, which as you probably know is bad enough.  It happened again on thursday night on an overnight trip. I shot a blast of air through it and now it won't stay lit for more than a minute, with the "prime" knob held down or not.

So, I  figure either that it is rust, scale or debris the either got blown in (it was raining everything you could imagine on the roadway) or dislodged OR it is a failing shutoff thermostat that just won't hold the gas open as it should.

Anyway to tell the difference without pulling it? I know I have to pull it, that's no big deal, as the 10-year-old gowesty replacement fan needs replacing to. But it would be a lot easier to accomplish if I knew whether or not I needed that part.

Thanks,

Jim