Dinex Food Cart Troubleshooting

Dinex food carts are known for their quality and durability. In the rare case that your unit has an issue, this Dinex food cart troubleshooting guide will help you identify and address the problem quickly and easily.

These troubleshooting tips are for Dinex Perfect Temp systems, including the reheating/rethermalization cart, electronic controller and refrigerator. For more information on caring for your unit, see our guides on Dinex food cart cleaning and Dinex food cart assembly. 

Cart Isn’t Turning On

• Cart not plugged in - Plug the power cord into the outlet.
• Circuit breaker on cart is tripped - Reset the unit’s circuit breaker. If the cart still isn’t working, schedule a service appointment with an authorized technician.
• Blown fuse or circuit breaker for the electrical outlet is off - Check the circuit breaker. If needed, call an electrician for service.

Cart Not Heating Up

• Cart not plugged in - Plug the power cord into the outlet.
• Power switch is off - Turn the key switch to the on position.
• Switches not set properly - Set the selector switches to hot or cold as desired. Refer to manual for more information.
• Door is open - Close the door. If the cart still isn’t heating up, contact an authorized technician to service the unit.
• Heater pad is defective - Call a licensed technician to address the issue.
• Controller isn’t programmed properly - Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to program the controller correctly.

Hot Food Overdone

• Not enough food on the plates - Increase portion sizes so that a larger area of food comes in contact with the heater pad and distributes the heat more evenly.
• Food isn’t plated correctly - Plate the food correctly. If needed, refer to the user’s manual for more specific instructions.
• Food is already hot before reheating - Food should be between 33-40°F (0.6-4.4°C) before the rethermalization process begins. If it’s above this range, don’t reheat it, or reheat the food for less time.

Hot Food Is Hot, But Cold Items Not Cold Enough

• Improper refrigerator temperature - Readjust the refrigerator thermostat.
• Food wasn’t held in the refrigerator for long enough - Leave food in the refrigerator until it’s chilled to the desired temperature.

Cold Food Is Cold, But Hot Items Not Hot Enough

• Improper plating techniques - Use the instructions in the operator’s manual to plate food correctly.
• Poor food selection - Not all foods reheat quickly, so choose foods that can be heated through in the time allotted. 
• Refrigerator temperature is too low - Reset the refrigerator thermostat.
• Low voltage - Contact an electrician to address the issue.

Refrigerator Temperature Is Too High

• No power to the refrigerator - Check to see if the refrigerator is plugged into the outlet. If it is, check the wall outlet’s circuit breaker. If needed, call an electrician for service.
• Thermostat isn’t set properly - Reset the thermostat.
• Loss of Freon due to leak - Call an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
• Temperature display is faulty - Schedule a service appointment with a licensed technician.
• Door was left open - Make sure that the refrigerator door is kept closed.

Refrigerator Temperature Is Too Low

• Thermostat isn’t set properly - Readjust the thermostat setting.
• Improper level of Freon in the unit - Contact a licensed technician to address the issue.

Digital Displays Not Lighting Up

• No power to the controller - Check the power source. First, make sure that the unit is plugged into the outlet. If it is, check the circuit breakers for both the outlet and the unit. If the cart displays still aren’t working, call an authorized technician to service the unit.
• Power switch is turned off - Use the key switch to turn the unit on.
• Program selector switch not set to “0” - Set the program selector switch to “0”.
• Cart is defective - Return the defective unit to the factory for repair.

Food Not Reheated Properly

• Controller isn’t programmed correctly - Program the controller correctly. For more detailed instructions, refer to the owner’s manual.

Cart Begins Reheating Cycle At The Wrong Time

• Unit isn’t programmed properly - Reprogram the cycle start times / reprogram the clock with the correct time.

One Specific Shelf Not Heating Food

• Selector switch is defective - Replace the switch.
• Broken wire/connection within cart - Inspect the shelf for broken wires or connections. If there’s a problem, contact a licensed technician to remedy the issue.

One Specific Heater Pad Not Heating Up

• Heater pad is defective - Call an authorized technician to address the issue.
• Bad electrical connection between heater pad and wire harness - Contact a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
• Improper replacement of the heater pad damaged the feed wires - Inspect the wires for damage. If there’s damage, schedule an appointment with an authorized technician.

Controller Is Functioning, But Cart Doesn’t Heat Up At All

• Cart isn’t connected properly to an electrical outlet - Make sure that the unit is plugged into an electrical outlet. If it is and the issue persists, check the outlet fuse and circuit breaker. If needed, contact an electrician to address the lack of power.
• Controller circuit breakers are tripped - Reset the circuit breakers on the back of the controller.
• Defective relays within the controller - Unit is defective. Return the cart to the factory.
• Refrigerator door was left open - Close the door and keep it closed.
• Refrigerator door switch is broken - Call an authorized technician to address the issue.
• Cart circuit breaker(s) is(are) tripped - Reset the circuit breaker(s) on the cart.

One Side Of Cart Not Heating Up

• Controller circuit breaker is tripped - Reset the circuit breakers on the rear of the controller.
• All of the selector switches on that side of the cart are set to “cold” - Set the switches correctly.
• Broken wire/connection within the cart at the main power connection - Schedule a service appointment with an authorized technician.
• Relay contacts within the controller are defective - Return the unit to the factory.
• Input power changed from 200-240VAC to 120VAC - Contact an electrician to address the issue.
• One of the cart circuit breakers is tripped - Reset the circuit breaker on the cart.

For more information on how to care for your commercial kitchen equipment, be sure to take a look at the large collection of useful articles and videos on our Resource Center.

Please contact a local authorized service agent who can help with these specific units and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.