Fridge Problems

G'Day,
We seem to be having a few problems with our Coolmatic (Waeco) 190 ltr fridge. BT was a June 2004 delivery,so makes it nearly 12 years old,and first time we've had any worry with it. Have searched the Forum for similer problems,but can't find one the same. Probably the closest was Peter & Jan's post 7894 where their fridge just kept running. Our's appears to be running a lot,but does turn off when it gets down to 2deg,but then doesn't seem to start up again till it get's up to 10 or 12 Deg. It runs more through the day,I'd say because it gets up in temperature faster due to the hot days we've had of late on the Sunshine Coast. Have rang Andrew at The Fridge Wisperer who fixed Peter & Jans,and he seems to think it may be the same problem as theirs,but understandably couldn't be sure without us taking the unit in. Thing is their compressor was running no stop and iceing up naturally,where as ours ices up then melts after the compresser turns off while the fridge gets back up to 10-12 Deg. We're at home at the moment so not living in the van. The regulator settles on 12.8 amps after the sun goes down,and only drops to 12.5 or 12.6 amps by morning,this is why I feel that it doesn't run much of a night. All advice welcome.

BUT WAIT THERE'S STILL MORE !!

Turned our 8 year old 60 ltr Engel on last Friday after 14 months,spent a lot of last year in N.Z. (We did,not the fridge ) !!! and haven't been away on any trips since we got back. (But getting ready). Anyway the motor is running but fridge is staying room temperature. Engel have advised me to leave it going for three days as the gas may have settled. If anybody else has had a similar problem would also appreciate to know what your solution turned out to be.

I'm hoping both things turn out to thermostat related, a lot cheaper than compressor or other possible causes.

Lawrie.