The freezer section fails first
An absorption refrigerator has a small freezer section rather than an ice maker, and its ability to freeze is the first thing to go when the unit is off level, badly vented or working in heat. An ice complaint here is really a capacity complaint.
What you are seeing
- The freezer section no longer freezes its contents solid.
- Ice trays take far longer to freeze than they used to.
- Heavy frost building in the freezer section.
- The freezer holds overnight and softens during the day.
- Ice forms on one side of the section only.
- Not this fault: A warm fridge section as well is a cooling fault - read that page.
- Not this fault: Water in the cabinet is a drain issue, not an ice fault.
Most likely causes, in Dometic order
- Unit short of capacity because of level, venting or ambient — Why ranked: First on an absorption refrigerator. The freezer section is the first thing to lose when the unit is working at its limit.
- Frost build insulating the section — Why ranked: Second: once frost has grown it makes the problem worse, and it is the owner's to clear.
- Main door or freezer flap left ajar — Why ranked: Third. A small section loses temperature quickly when its own door does not close.
- Thermostat set too warm for the freezer section — Why ranked: Fourth, and easily corrected - many of these units have one control serving both areas.
- Cooling unit weakening or failed — Why ranked: Last, and identified by an ammonia smell or a yellow residue at the back.
What to check, in order
- Check the vehicle is level and the vents are clear. — Because: On this appliance those two decide capacity, and capacity is what the freezer section is short of.
- Look at how much frost has built up in the section. — Because: Heavy frost is both a symptom and a cause, and it needs clearing before anything is judged.
- Check the freezer flap closes flat. — Because: A small section with its own door ajar cannot hold, whatever the rest of the unit does.
- Put a thermometer in the section and read it after a settled day. — Because: Feel is unreliable in a small compartment; a reading is not.
Checks you can do safely
- Empty the freezer section and switch the unit off to let frost melt. — N: 1 — Tools: Towels — Time: one day
- Dry the section and check the flap closes flat before restarting. — N: 2 — Tools: Cloth — Time: quick
- Level the vehicle and clear the vent space, then run for a settled day. — N: 3 — Tools: Level — Time: one day
- Put a thermometer in the section and record the temperature. — N: 4 — Tools: Thermometer — Time: one day
- Set the control one step colder and record again after a further day. — N: 5 — Tools: Thermometer — Time: one day
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. A freezer holds food safely at 0 F (-18 C) or below. Never chip frost with a knife - the cooling circuit runs behind those surfaces, and on an absorption unit a puncture ends the appliance. Let frost melt rather than forcing it. Never use a heat gun or boiling water inside the compartment. A sharp ammonia smell means stop and ventilate the vehicle.
When this becomes a service call
The freezer section will not hold with the vehicle level and vents clear. Frost returns heavily within days of a defrost. There is any ammonia smell or yellow residue at the back. The section cannot reach its safe holding temperature at the coldest setting.
Nearest pages
What this page does not cover
This page covers Dometic absorption refrigerators - the gas and electric units. It does not cover the DC compressor refrigerators sold under the same name, and it does not cover models fitted with a separate ice function. Where a family- or model-specific page exists it supersedes this one.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
