13th Oct 2026
Dometic Americana Won’t Run on Propane (Works on AC): Troubleshooting Flowchart
NO GAS, AC WORKS
Dometic Americana Won’t Run on Propane (Works on AC)
The fridge cools on shore power, but on propane the burner won’t light or won’t stay lit, and the CHECK light usually comes on. Rule out the gas supply first, then work through the spark, the gas valve and pressure, the burner jet, and the flame sensing.
Dometic Americana & Americana Plus · RM2351 through RM2862
Fits these models
Different model? These steps are for the models above, from Dometic’s service manual for them. For any other Dometic fridge, ask a tech before you test or order parts.
Before you start
- Safety first. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. Gas and spark tests should be done by a qualified service technician.
- Where things are. The burner, gas valve, manual shutoff, igniter and electrode are behind the lower outside vent. The burner is under a protective cover.
- How gas mode works. The board tries to light the burner for about 45 seconds, waits 2 minutes, and tries again, up to three times. If all three fail, the CHECK light comes on. That can take 6 to 7 minutes.
- To reset a CHECK light, turn the main power button OFF, wait a few seconds, then turn it back ON.
- You’ll need a multimeter that reads DC volts, millivolts and ohms, and a manometer for gas pressure.
PART A · MODE & GAS SUPPLY
Make sure the fridge is trying to use gas, and that gas is there.
STEP 1
Run it in GAS mode
In AUTO mode the fridge uses AC whenever it’s plugged in. Lift the AUTO/GAS button to the UP position so the AUTO lamp goes off. The burner should light within 45 seconds.
Does the burner light and stay lit?
Gas is working
If it took a few tries, there was probably air in the line after a tank refill or a long time unused. Resetting the power button 3 or 4 times purges it.
STEP 2
Check the gas supply
Make sure the tank has propane and its valve is open, other LP appliances like the stove light normally, and the manual shutoff valve on the back of the fridge is open.
Is gas reaching the fridge?
Fix the gas supply
Fill or open the tank, open the fridge’s manual valve, and fix any RV supply problem. Then reset the power button 3 or 4 times to purge air from the line. If it still fails after several tries, stop resetting and continue troubleshooting.
PART B · SPARK
Does the igniter spark during the 45-second trial for ignition?
STEP 3
Watch and listen for a spark
Remove the burner cover. Reset the power button and watch the electrode during the first 45 seconds.
Do you see or hear it sparking?
STEP 4
Check power from the board
During the trial for ignition, measure DC volts at the lower board’s Plug 3, terminal 2 (+, yellow wire) and terminal 1 (−, white wire). This feeds the igniter and the gas valve.
Is there DC voltage?
Replace the lower circuit board
The board isn’t sending power to the igniter or gas valve. Replace the lower board. Match the part number on your old board’s label.
Dometic Hercules Board 3316348.900 →OEM board with built-in reigniter. Replaces 3850712013. 
Dinosaur 3850712.01 Board →Aftermarket replacement for 3850712-xxx boards. 
Dinosaur 3850415.01 Board →Replaces 3850415 boards only.STEP 5
Inspect the electrode
Turn the fridge off. Check the ceramic insulator for cracks (hairline cracks are hard to see). The spark gap should be 3/16 inch, with the tip above the burner slots. Loosen the screw before you move it. The burner also needs a good ground, since the spark jumps to it.
Is the electrode cracked, out of position or poorly grounded?
Fix or replace the electrode
Reset the gap or clean the ground and test again. A cracked electrode must be replaced. On newer units the electrode and high voltage cable are one part, like the Electrode with Lead Wire 2932781012. Give us your product number to confirm the right one.
STEP 6
Find your igniter
Older boards use a separate igniter box wired to the electrode. The 3850712013 board and its replacements have the igniter built into the board.
Which kind do you have?
Test the igniter and cable
During the trial for ignition, measure DC volts at the igniter’s yellow (+) and black (−) wires. It should be within 1.5 volts of the terminal block. Then turn the fridge off, pull the high voltage cable off the electrode, and turn it back on. If the igniter makes a sparking sound, replace the high voltage cable or electrode. If it doesn’t, replace the igniter (OEM part 2931132019). Dometic says not to use the Channel Products Gasliter Mark 6, Model 12 E. It voids the warranty.
Replace the lower board
If the electrode and cable check good and the board powers the gas valve but there’s no spark, the board’s igniter has failed. Never run gas mode with the electrode cable unplugged from the board. It damages the igniter.
Dometic Hercules Board 3316348.900 →OEM board with built-in reigniter. Replaces 3850712013. Dinosaur 3850712.01 Board →Aftermarket replacement for 3850712-xxx boards.PART C · GAS VALVE & PRESSURE
It sparks, but the burner won’t light.
STEP 7
Check power at the gas valve
During the trial for ignition, measure DC volts at the gas valve terminals: yellow (+) and white (−).
Is there 9 volts or more?
Fix the valve wiring
Check that Plug 3, terminal 2 has voltage. If it does, the wire or connector between the board and the valve is bad. Repair it. If Plug 3 has no voltage, replace the lower board (Step 4).
STEP 8
Check the gas pressure
Connect a manometer to the test port below the solenoid valve. With the burner trying to light and about half the RV’s other gas appliances on, it should read 11 inches water column, and never more than 12 with everything else off.
Is it about 11 inches at the test port?
Find where the pressure drops
Measure at the gas line going into the fridge. If it’s low there too, the problem is the RV’s regulator or supply. If it’s 11 inches going in but low at the test port, the solenoid valve isn’t opening all the way. The solenoid coil should read about 49 ohms (±10%). Replace the solenoid valve assembly, which includes the manual shutoff. For the RM2862, that’s the Gas Valve / Burner / Igniter Assembly 3850730569.
STEP 9
Clean the burner jet and burner
With good spark and pressure, the most likely cause is a clogged jet. Soak the jet in an alcohol-based solvent for about an hour and let it air dry. Never push a wire or pin through it, or blow air through it. Clean the burner the same way, and make sure its slots are directly under the flue tube. Make sure the jet is the right size:
| Model | Jet size |
| RM2351, RM2354 | #39 |
| RM2451, RM2454, RM2551, RM2554 | #43 |
| RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862 | #58 |
Does the burner light now?
Ask a tech
Spark, power and pressure are good, but it still won’t light. ask a tech with your readings.
PART D · FLAME SENSING
It lights, then goes out and the CHECK light comes on.
STEP 10
Test the thermocouple
Units with a separate igniter use a thermocouple over the burner to sense the flame. Set your meter to DC millivolts. Put the black lead on J3 (original board) or J4 (current board) and the red lead on J10 or the other thermocouple lead. Start the fridge on gas.
Does it reach 22 to 36 millivolts within 45 seconds?
Fix the thermocouple
Below 10 to 13 millivolts the board shuts the gas off and turns on the CHECK light. Make sure the tip is centered over the burner and covers 3 slots, and clean off any carbon. Low gas pressure also causes low readings. If it’s still low, replace the thermocouple. Integrated igniter units don’t have a thermocouple. They sense the flame through the electrode, so check the electrode and burner ground, then the board.
Replace the lower circuit board
The thermocouple makes good millivolts but the board still won’t keep the gas valve open. Replace the lower board.
Dometic Hercules Board 3316348.900 →OEM board with built-in reigniter. Replaces 3850712013. Dinosaur 3850712.01 Board →Aftermarket replacement for 3850712-xxx boards. Dinosaur 3850415.01 Board →Replaces 3850415 boards only.Still stuck? ask a tech with your model, product number and the readings you got. We’ll confirm the part before you order.
Covers the Dometic Americana and Americana Plus: RM2351, RM2354, RM2451, RM2454, RM2551, RM2554, RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852 and RM2862. Based on the Dometic RM2xxx service manual, Diagnostic Flow Chart, Symptom 4: No gas operation, operates on AC mode.