Principles of Operation

Refrigerator

Principles of Operation

Refrigerator

The refrigerator consists of a switch, module and motor assembly, which contains a cooling fan, refrigerant, a condenser and a compressor. The refrigerator relay, located in the Battery Junction Box (BJB), controls voltage to the refrigerator. The refrigerator relay coil is grounded at all times. When the ignition switch is in the RUN or ACCESSORY position, voltage is supplied to the refrigerator relay coil from the Smart Junction Box (SJB) and the relay closes. When the refrigerator relay is closed, voltage is sent to the refrigerator from BJB (Battery Junction Box).

The temperature of the refrigerator is controlled by a sensor located in the refrigerator module. When a refrigerator mode is selected and the refrigerator temperature is above the target temperature, the compressor will activate. If the temperature is below the target temperature, there is no need for cooling and the compressor will stop. The compressor start up has a predetermined time delay to avoid a potential rapid changing compressor on and off situation.

The heat from the compressor and condenser is pushed out of the vents of the refrigerator by means of a fan. This fan runs continuously, as soon as a refrigerator mode is selected. The fan will not stop with the compressor if the target temperature is reached.

Diagnostic Mode

The refrigerator can be switched into a diagnostic mode to read the potential error codes of the compressor. When the refrigerator is in diagnostic mode, the COOL LED on the refrigerator switch will flash 1-5 times, depending on the error. Perform the following steps in order to access the refrigerator diagnostic mode:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

2. Depress the refrigerator switch to the FREEZE position for approximately 1 second, until the FREEZE LED illuminates.

3. Depress the refrigerator switch again to the FREEZE position for approximately 5 seconds, until the FREEZE LED flashes quickly and repeatedly.

4. NOTE: Use the Diagnostic Mode Error Code Chart to determine the error.
When the FREEZE LED is quickly flashing, the COOL LED will display the error code by flashing 1-5 times, depending on the error.


5. NOTE: If the refrigerator is in diagnostic mode and the ignition is turned OFF, the refrigerator will restart in FREEZE mode when the ignition is turned back to the ON position.
To turn the diagnostic mode off, depress the refrigerator switch to the FREEZE position for approximately 1 second. The FREEZE LED will stop flashing, but it will remain illuminated and the refrigerator will be in freeze mode.


Diagnostic Mode Error Code Chart