Turning off Norcold Refrigerator

[DonGott]

I'm in the process of shutting everything down for storage and my icebox (which is a 4-door NORCOLD) will not cut off. I've followed the manual instructions by holding down the on/off button but it will not indicate that it is off. The little green light on the face of the box still shows that it is on. Any suggestions ??????????????

[Rex]

The fridge must have 12vdc to operate, even if you are on shore power. If you have battery disconnect switches, turn them off and that should turn the fridge off. Also sounds like you may have a faulty control board (on the back of the fridge) or the eyebrow panel is bad. Just the same turning off the 12vdc to the fridge should shut it down.

[DonGott]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex The fridge must have 12vdc to operate, even if you are on shore power. If you have battery disconnect switches, turn them off and that should turn the fridge off. Also sounds like you may have a faulty control board (on the back of the fridge) or the eyebrow panel is bad. Just the same turning off the 12vdc to the fridge should shut it down.

Okay thanks........ I guess to be safe, after the disconnect is thrown, maybe I should cut the gas off at the propane tank?

[Rex]

Don that would be a good idea if the coach is going into storage.

The Norcold 1200 series has a recall out depending on what the coolant unit serial number is. If you have one produced before 2002 and perhaps later, it may be part of the recall. The recall adds an over-temp switch to the flu in the event the heaters do not turn off or if the coolant ruptures and causes the area to catch fire. You should check to see if the serial number of your coolant unit (number outside on back of fridge) is in the recall. If it is, have it done ASAP.

[patmsp]

I just bought my RV and checked the unit and gave Norcold a call. It was on the recall list. Contacted Campers World, they took info, got kit in a week. It takes an hour to install kit. I think they also give you $50 of free propane for you trouble.

I read where one went up in flames, so it's advisable to check your unit out.

[DonGott]

The unit had already been serviced for the recall. I'm trying to completely shut the icebox off with the touch pad. The little green "on" light will not go off, even after holding in the button on the unit for 20 or 30 seconds. Thanks .......

[86 Cavalcade]

Don, I had this exact same problem on my 4 door norcold and I had the recall done. It would not shut off with the button and would freeze everything in the fridge section. The control module and the labor came to about $500. They have to pull the unit away from the wall to do this, or that was what I was told. It works fine now. They kept the old board and I still have it. George

[DonGott]

Thanks for the info, I was begining to think that maybe I was the only one that had experienced this. I just followed Rex's adviced and shut the power off to the coach and turned the gas off. The only thing that bothers me is that when I flip the power back on, the icebox is trying to start back up. I can hear the burner or something trying to ignite for the propane side of the fridge. I hope it does not do any harm to the unit?

[JManatee]

If you need to replace the control board, there are sources out there for them for cheaper then $500

Dinosaur Electronics Home. High quality circuit boards for RV appliances. makes one for most models

There is another company
Circuit Boards : A.S.A.P.

They sell both dinosaur and oem

[86 Cavalcade]

My experience with Rex is that he has never told me anything that was wrong. I know some of the RV'rs said they could get these control boards from a less expensive source which I don't doubt is true but I had it a RV repair shop and they could get the board the next day and that is why I chose to go ahead and do what I did. The Norcold recall is what appears to be some type of over temperature shut off that is installed in the exhaust stack. It will not fix a bad control board. In my case when this board failed it was like the refrigerator was on max cold all the time. When you shut the propane off the ignitor was trying to light the flame all of the time.