OK I have a living quarters with a gas/electric fridge.  Fired it up and smelled gas.  Stubbornly persisted to use it anyway  and found out it didn't get very cold and I got sort of sick even

th the windows open.  So, switched to electric when I got home and the coldest I could get the freezer was icewater not ice.  Looked all over cannot find a gas leak.  Tried the gas again -- cannot keep it lit on gas anymore.  Won't ignite. 

Its a 2000 trailer with a professionally done living quarters and the use is light (maybe 6X per year), and shed kept.  Could find no mudwasps or other clogs anywhere.  Any ideas how I can troubleshoot or what may be wrong here?  Just really don't want to take it to a shop til I tried it all myself - don't need the bill or the runaround I typically get there. 

Its a Dometic midsized fridge.  Just a 4' shortwall trailer.

Did you smell ammonia or gas? If you are running the fridge on electric, you should be able to feel heat from the electric heater above where the gas flame ignites. It takes several minutes to reach the proper temp. If this is warm, and the fridge doesn't cool with either the gas or electric, you probably have a cooling system problem.

The electric takes longer to cool than the gas. If the fridge eventually cools down, the cooling system is ok. If the gas isn't working, the first thing to check is the supply, and then the burner orifice. The supply can be checked by running the burners on a cook top. A good flame indicates a good regulator and sufficient tank supply. The burner orifice can be removed and cleaned, do not enlarge the hole.

If this fails to provide an adequate flame, then there are a few other components in the gas burner area that could be causing a problem; a thermostat, safety valve or thermocouple. I would recommend  their replacement be accomplished by a skilled mechanic.

Many gas fridges can have if necessary, their cooling systems rebuilt or repaired.

Hey thanks for your generous advice.  I thought I smelled propane, but not sure what the ammonia smells like perhaps I got that wrong.  All other propane (cooktop, gas water heater) work just fine.  I left the fridge on electric/high  overnight and only got it cool enough to chill water in the freezer.  On gas, it will no longer ignite.  It was igniting, then quitting, but now it won't do that either.

Well, that gives me the idea its not unusual for them not to last all that long.  Much appreciated.  It may be best for me to go out ad get an ICE BOX they sure never go bad  And, they cost a whole lot less to buy.  I'll have to think it all over..  Thanks again.

These have been VERY helpful posts. Thanks.  Its possible I am guessing that age matters more than use - i.e. the fridge has a number of years its going to work whether you use it or you don't.  Well, that said, I am with you about the not wanting to find ice...

Can't say how much I appreciate having a place where people will send advice to me.

Just for the giggles I would question your Propane detector.

If you smelled Propane and got sick (Which is great you woke up to see the next day) it should have gone off.