This is the classic symptom of a failing cooling unit. While managing the Airstream Dealership, we dealt with this issue on several occasions. We had limited and usually short term success with "burping" the unit which involves removing the fridge, turning it upside down overnight, then uprighting for a day or so before powering up. You may also have a leakage in the unit resulting in the loss of refrigerant. If there is any smell, past or present, of ammonia, you have a leak. Also if there is ANY sign of a yellow, oily residue anywhere, that is another sign of leakage. There is NO fixing a cooling unit, but Dometic, along with several 3rd parties, sell replacement cooling units for a fraction of the cost of a totally new fridge. Depending on the vintage of your rig, it may be part of the Dometic fridges involved in a recall where cracks at a weld due to higher wattage 120V (AC) heating element could develop. Dometic's recall was to install a set of flame shields and a thermodisc to shut off GAS should a crack develop and the leaking refrigerant ignite (yes, there is a fire hazard). If yours is one of the units suffering from the potential failure, it might be a great time to replace the cooling unit with a new one designed to correct the potential problem. Also be aware that the 8 Cu Ft model can be replaced with the newer 10 Cu Ft model that is identical sized on the outside (improved insulation resulting in a larger interior). Of course, this is not a cheap option.
Good luck
David T.
On Apr 11, 2012, at 8:15 AM, Stan wrote:
> In our 34 foot our Dometic freezes well in the upper compartment but does not cool below 63 degrees in the lower refrigerator part.
>
> Any suggestions?
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