Thetford fridge type C11[fitted to caravan]model N80 PL R

the fridge works by heating crystals that creates a gas that is the refrigeration
if it works on gas then the system is good and indicates that the 240 volt heating element is not working
find a caravan repair center and have it checked out

Is it parked dead level? How's the ammonia charge?

Had smell probs with ours sorta gassy and what seemed like overheating and lack of cooling Found " exhaust pipe " completely choked - cleaned it out and all fine.

Make sure your roof vent is not clogged immediately. If you are in a full service park, you should be running on electricity not propane. You don't describe the gasses you are smelling, if it is ammonia, your frig is probably done for.

Ammonia is the primary ingredient in the cooling process. What happens is the ammonia is boiled and then sprayed throug an orfice. The spraying creates the cooling (heat removing) effect. If you are smelling ammonia, your boiler has developed a leak.

You can purchase replacement units to install in your present frig. Some people have success with this. My experience was not so good. I spent about $225.00 plus shipping for a rebuilt unit (with a 'core' charge). I did the work myself. I got about a year out of the rebuilt unit before I simply replaced the frig with a new replacement 3 way Norcold. My new Norcold was much improved over the earlier model and included a ice maker! It was expensive, however, at more than $1300.00. Find sources for replacement cooling units for your "Thetford" refrig at FixYa.com advertisers or through your RV dealer or in the back of travel trailer magazines.

I hope this is NOT your trouble and I hope you find resolution. Thank you for your interest in FixYa.com and please come again.

is it hard to change a thetford fridge for a electolux fridge

If you're sure the gas is igniting and making heat, you may have lost your refrigerant. It probably is ammonia, which smells very strong. Check your dealer for someone who can check it out.

Thats a Norcold compact fridge. The most likley problem would be the thermister. Need to do an ohms reading. From inside of the fridge remone the thermister from the fins and unplug the wires. With a VOM set it on Ohms, touch the wires with the probes/ does not matter which probe to wire/ hold the bulb end of the thermister between your fingers, your reading should stat at about 7000 Ohms. Stick the bulb end of the thermister in a glass of ice water, reading should start climbing and go to about 22000 Ohms. If this happens the thermister is good and you need to look elsewhere. If it does not test out you need to replace the thermister. The thermister is a thermostat that controls the heat source that makes the fridge cool. If the thermister reads good you may want to get the circuit board tested.
Hope this helps
Thank you for using Fixya
Jerry