Dometic RMDT10.5P, RMDT10.5XP
Official technical documentation and workshop diagnostics for 10-SERIES.
View official manual on manufacturer's site ↗Technical Specifications
Master Troubleshooting & Diagnostics Matrix
| Error Code / Indicator | Symptom / Meaning | Possible Cause | Step-by-Step DIY Fix | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | Exposed cables touched with bare hands causing electric shock risk | Live AC mains wiring contact or damaged insulation | Do not touch exposed cables. Have repairs carried out by a specialist or contact an authorised service centre. | Professional Intervention Required |
N/A | Appliance fails to operate or shows electrical faults due to a damaged power cord | Compromised power cable insulation or internal break | To avoid any safety risk, it should only be replaced by the manufacturer, its customer service team, or another suitably qualified person. | Professional Intervention Required |
N/A | Absorber unit leakage or failure | Absorber unit is under high pressure and has been breached or opened | Never open the absorber unit. Contact an authorised service centre. | Professional Intervention Required |
N/A | Gas leakage or unburnt gas accumulation | Poor venting, the wrong gas pressure, or no floor ventilation opening where the lower intake vent can't line up level with the fridge's base | Ensure correct installation of gas flues and ventilation grills. If gas components fail or leak, have repairs carried out by an authorised specialist. | Professional Intervention Required |
N/A | Insufficient cooling performance or high energy consumption | There's more than 25 mm between the fridge and the rear wall with no air guide fitted, or the ventilation openings are blocked | Fit an air guide plate to narrow the air duct to no more than 25 mm, and keep all the ventilation grilles clear of dust and obstructions. | DIY Safe |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the SN climate class on my Dometic RM fridge mean?
Climate class SN (which Dometic calls 'Extended Temperate') means the fridge is designed to work reliably when the air temperature is from +10°C up to +32°C (taken at the bottom vent grille, outside the vehicle).
Q: How well does an absorption fridge cool in hot weather?
In a hot summer the outside temperature often reaches about 32°C - the top of the fridge's rated range - and once it climbs higher, the temperature inside the fridge will inevitably rise. An absorption fridge needs a heat source to move its refrigerant around the cooling unit (which is why it can run on 12V, 230V or gas), so it has to get rid of the heat from its power source as well as the heat drawn out of the food compartment.
To help it in hot weather: park where the fridge vents get as much shade as possible during the day; unclip the outside vent grilles to improve airflow; and if you regularly travel somewhere hot, consider having a ventilator kit (a fan fitted behind the fridge) installed to boost the airflow - Dometic lists these among its accessories.
Q: What can replace my old Dometic RM fridge?
Dometic's 2023 'New for old - simply swap' guide covers both its absorption and compressor fridges, showing which current models replace older ones. It's available from the catalogues section of Dometic's website.
Q: My fridge won't work on mains (AC) power - what should I check?
Check the fuse in the mains supply and replace it if it has blown, and make sure the vehicle is actually plugged into a mains supply. If both are fine, the AC heating element may have failed - that needs an authorised Dometic service centre.
Q: My fridge won't work on 12V (DC) - what should I check?
Possible causes, and what to do: the vehicle's own fuse has blown - replace it (see the vehicle's handbook); the vehicle battery is flat - test it and recharge it; the ignition is off - switch it on. If the fuse in the fridge's DC cable has blown (the fuse on the relay) or the DC heating element has failed, contact an authorised Dometic service centre.
Q: My fridge won't work on gas - what should I check?
Check the gas cylinder isn't empty (change it if it is) and that the gas valve is turned on. If air has got into the gas pipe, turn the fridge off and on again, repeating this three or four times if needed; if a gas hob or cooker is fitted, switch that on, then try the fridge again if needed.
Q: Why is my fridge running on gas in automatic mode when I'm plugged into mains?
The mains voltage is too low. The fridge switches back to mains by itself once the supply voltage recovers.
Q: Why isn't my fridge getting cold enough?
Work through the likely causes: the cooling unit isn't getting enough air - make sure the outside vent grilles aren't blocked; the evaporator has iced up - check the door shuts properly and the seal is seated and undamaged, then defrost the fridge; the temperature setting is too warm - turn it to a colder setting; it's very hot outside - take the vent grille off for a while so hot air can escape faster; too much food, or too much warm food, went in at once - take some out, and let warm food cool before putting it back; the fridge was only switched on recently - give it four to five hours, then recheck the temperature.
Q: WARNING type fault messages
These codes apply to Dometic's 10-series fridges.
- W01: the temperature sensor in the fridge compartment is faulty - contact an authorised Dometic service centre.
- W05: no AC (mains) power, or the AC voltage is wrong - connect a supply, or choose another energy source such as gas.
- W06: no DC power - connect the fridge to DC power, or choose another energy source such as gas or mains AC.
W10 with a beep: the door has been left open longer than 2 minutes - close it. W11: DC overvoltage (above 16V) - reduce the DC supply voltage.
Q: ERROR type fault messages
ERROR-type faults on Dometic's 10-series fridges have to be reset by hand: on the RM10.5T, RMS10.5T and RMS10.5XT, hold the control knob in for 2 seconds; on the RM10.5S, RMS10.5S and RMS10.5XS, press and hold for 2 seconds. You'll hear a beep once the error is cleared.
- E03: the power module and display aren't communicating - contact an authorised Dometic service centre.
- E07, E08 and E09: no cooling in gas, AC (mains) or DC mode respectively - check the fridge (and the vehicle) is level and correct it if needed, then reset the error; if it comes back, contact Dometic customer service.
- E12 (gas valve test failed) and E13 (internal communication fault) both stop gas operation - reset the error, and contact customer service if it returns.
- E14: the battery packs that power it in stand-alone gas mode have run down - fit fresh batteries before resetting the error.
- E50: gas has locked out after 3 failed ignition attempts, usually because the gas cylinder is empty - change the cylinder, then reset the error.
- E51 (gas lock-out from an internal power-module fault), E52 (gas valve earth fault) and E53 (ignition electrode earth fault): reset the error, and contact customer service if it happens again.