Bürstner fridge not working? Here's how to fix it

Bürstner has been building refrigerators from the brands Dometic and Thetford for years. Both brands have their own typical quirks, but the basic diagnosis is similar. If your refrigerator does not work on any power source, there is a good chance that the control board is defective or that there is a general power problem. If it still works on gas but not on 12V or 230V, it is often due to the heating elements or the associated fuses.

Check per power source

Always start with the simplest things. For 12V operation, check the fuse in the inverter or the separate fuse at the refrigerator itself. For 230V operation, test whether there is voltage at the socket and whether the plug is properly connected. For gas operation, check whether gas is reaching the appliance, whether the burner is not blocked, and whether the thermocouple still works. A common problem with Dometic refrigerators is a defective ignition unit or a dirty burner. Thetford refrigerators, on the other hand, more often suffer from a failing sensor or a software problem in the display module.

Typical repair costs

The costs depend heavily on the fault. A new circuit board for a Dometic or Thetford refrigerator quickly costs between 200 and 400 euros, excluding installation. A new heating element for 12V or 230V usually costs between 50 and 150 euros. A thorough cleaning of the gas burner and replacement of small parts such as a thermocouple often costs less than 100 euros. Bear in mind that labour costs at a camper technician can quickly amount to 60 to 90 euros per hour. For a more detailed explanation of refrigerator problems in campers, we refer you to our general guide on a camper refrigerator that does not work.

If the refrigerator is older than ten years and the fault turns out to be expensive, it is sometimes wiser to consider replacement or even selling the camper. After all, a non-working refrigerator has a significant impact on the market value of your motorhome.