To make your fridge work, it requires a source of heat to part of the cooling circuit pipework. The 240v/12v and the gas sources all apply heat to the same tube. The electric heaters are in holders whilst the gas flame sends its heat up the middle of the tube.
The fact that the 240v heater works the fridge properly seems to indicate that the flame can't get up its own heat exchanger tube because it is blocked.
If you are competent with gas and electric connections release and remove the fridge completely and remove the insulation tube around the heat exchanger. Remove the metal spiral vane from the centre of the tube. Make sure the tube is completely clear of rust debris and finally check that none of the debris has fallen onto the burner and its igniter underneath.
Re assemble in the reverse order and don't forget to do a soap test to prove your gas connection does not leak. The gas jet may take some time to light whilst the air is purged out of the supply pipework
cledlyn, June 2009
