Norcold 1200 Freezing Up

[pstroke]

We have the Norcold 1200 in our coach. Here in the last few weeks even on the lowest setting (1) the temperature inside the refrigerator remains below 30 degrees. It is causing the liguids to begin to freeze. We even had a club soda explode and send glass everywhere.

Has anyone ever had this problem? Is it an easy fix? The coach is under warranty just don't want to take it in if there is something easy I can do.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[pstroke]

We have the Norcold 1200 in our coach. Here in the last few weeks even on the lowest setting (1) the temperature inside the refrigerator remains below 30 degrees. It is causing the liguids to begin to freeze. We even had a club soda explode and send glass everywhere.

Has anyone ever had this problem? Is it an easy fix? The coach is under warranty just don't want to take it in if there is something easy I can do.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[RVDude]

Sounds like the inside thermistor (the thing clipped to the fins) has gone bad. You can test it with an ohm meter (there are tables online showing temp-ohm) but I couldn't get a replacement sent to me under warranty - citing it HAD to be dealer installed. Go figure, it is a 5 min replacement right from inside the unit. Geeze. But, once replaced it works perfectly.

I'll try to dig up my table of (super secret decoder ring) diagnostic error codes in case it might be something more.

[CWHTRAINS]

I only wish my Norcold 1200 would get that cold!

I have installed new thermister over the winter and will fire up the refer for the first time next week. Hope it works better than last year when we struggled to get down to 40 degrees in the refer, often times we were in mid to lower 40's.

[RVDude]

Thanks for reminding me....

The Norcold super secret diagnostic decoder ring works as follows...
That is how to enter and use the Norcold 1200 diagnostic codes.

Diagnostic mode: hold both set temp & mode for 5 seconds..
screen 1 – all segments lit test
hit mode
screen 2 – no segments lit test
hit mode
screen 3 – fin temp
hit mode
screen 4 – stored fault history #1
should have a "4" and blank. If not blank
top seg = burner failed to light
left upper seg = door open more than 2 mins
right upper seg = DC volts low
middle seg = DC volt high
bottom left seg = AC mode selected but no AC
bottom right seg = AC relay stuck closed
bottom seg = AC heaters failed open
hit mode
screen 5 stored fault history #2
should have a 5 and blank. If not blank
top seg = thermistor malfunction
left upper seg = flame present with gas valve off
right upper seg = not used
middle seg = not used
bottom left seg = flame sensing fault
bottom right seg = AC voltage over 135
bottom seg = no cooling sensed

hit mode
screen 6 is used to clear the stored faults
screen shows Er – press and hold set temp until CL shows
wait 5 seconds
press and hold set temp until Er appears again indicating all erased
hit mode
screen 7 power board inputs
top seg = fresh food compartment light is off and door is closed
left upper seg = LP gas operation
right upper seg = thermistor is sensing temperature
rest of segs not used
hit mode
screen 8 power board outputs
top seg = AC relay is closed
left upper seg = not used
right upper seg = DC power to divider heater
middle seg = DC power to gas valve solenoid coil
bottom left seg = DC power to light circuit
bottom right seg = DC power to ignition circuit
bottom seg = not used
hit mode
Screen 9 DC voltage input
top seg = over 15.4VDC
mid seg = 10.5 – 15.4 VDC
bottom seg = below 10.5 VDC
hit mode
Screen 0 – AC voltage inout
top seg = over 132VAC
mid seg 108-132 VAC
bottom seg = below 108VAC
END of screens
Pressing mode again will cycle back through

To exit press and hold mode and set temp

Good luck...

[pstroke]

After running the diagnostics, the thermister temperature was in the 40-45 degree range but the inside temp was still in the 20's.

Sent customer service at Norcold an e-mail and requested a replacement but they would not deal directly with me. Suggested I go to an authorized dealer. I just did not want to spend $50 in diesel and my time for a $20 part.

I ordered one off the internet. Installed yesterday and seems to be working as it should. Both the thermister temp and interior temp are normal.

Thanks RV Dude for the information.

[RVDude]