Norcold 120x No power/No display

[lpasekof]

I have a Norcold 1201LRIM. Like everyone else, I've had at least, maybe 2 recalls performed. So far so good with those...at least I think.

I had been staying for an extended period of time in my RV - about 5 months. Fridge worked great. Finally I moved out and unplugged everything. Now I'm getting ready to use again and I can't get the Fridge to work. Nothing, nada, no power to the in-coach controller. Norcold manual says a lack of 12v to the unit. Well the little recall thingy has little lights that light up and they're 12v. Is there some fuse I can check? Any ideas why no power to the buttons?

lpasekof

[Open-Road-Pr]

Check to see that the contacts behind the control panel for your fridge are clean.
Ron

[ottffss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpasekof ...Norcold 1201LRIM... no power... Well the little recall thingy has little lights that light up and they're 12v....

You answered your own question. If the recall black box thingy has a light "ON" (the red light) then that unit has been "tripped" and has completely shut down the refer indicating a possible refer failure. BUT READ ON. Contrary to the original design of those black box safety devices, this does NOT mean a full fledged refer failure any more due to errors in the design of that black box.

You MUST take it to a Norcold service center and if they tell you straight up that the refer is bad tell them BS that they MUST first call their Norcold tech hotline who will run them through a diagnostic to determine if the black box thingy is giving a "false positive." The false positives are the reason those boxes are now up to revision "E" or higher (from rev "A") and these false positives are the reason Norcold is now saying if the box "trips" (lights up) that they must run the Norcold diagnostics before determining refer failure.

It could be simply the black box (highly likely in your case). Norcold will warrant this black box failure (forever I am told) and replace the box (thus returning the refer to full operation) if this is what the diagnostic determines. Otherwise, it is an entire new refer which is (or not) under your regular Norcold warranty.

[paz]

lpasekof, HERE is an excellent blog post by SUMDALUS on how the recall box works.

[gripper]

Ipaskof; I had the same problem with the refer not working like you said and the red light on, on the "Black Box". I took the RV to Lazy Days in Tampa and they replaced that black box, making everything "ok".

[Sammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpasekof I have a Norcold 1201LRIM. Like everyone else, I've had at least, maybe 2 recalls performed. So far so good with those...at least I think. I had been staying for an extended period of time in my RV - about 5 months. Fridge worked great. Finally I moved out and unplugged everything. Now I'm getting ready to use again and I can't get the Fridge to work. Nothing, nada, no power to the in-coach controller. Norcold manual says a lack of 12v to the unit. Well the little recall thingy has little lights that light up and they're 12v. Is there some fuse I can check? Any ideas why no power to the buttons? lpasekof

ipasekof, I also think that your problem is the little black box if there is a red light on. These so called recall fixes have been a source of many false failures of the refrigerator cooling units. When you do get it checked out by an RV tech, hopefully thats all it is. If by chance your cooling unit has failed, you might consider replacing the cooling unit with an Amish Built Unit like I did. I made the change because all these recalls seem to me to be just a source of pain and disruption in my limited RVing vacation time.

I finally decided to change out my Norcold 1201 cooling unit for one of the Amish Built Unit and am extremley happy with the results. They do not need any recall fixes as they are built using a 50 % thicker wall tubing and therefore any fire potential is gone. Now me and the wife and doggie can sleep at night.

Here is a short picture slideshow I made of my installation of the Amish Cooling Unit.

Good Luck,
Sammie

Norcold 1200 to Amish Cooling Unit Conversion.mpg - YouTube

[1ciderdog]

Same thing happened on mine last month. I had just traveled four months and no problem. Came home turned it off for about a month and the refrigerator would not come on for the next trip. I removed the hot 12 volt wire from the little black box and attached the wire to the back of the refrigerator to the 12 volt in post. The refrigerator worked fine - the box was bad. I then took the RV back to the shop that had performed the recall, they ordered a new one and a couple of weeks later I had the new box. Actually, all I did was restore the system to the original wiring set up. If you are worried about the recall and safety don't do this.
Safe Travels
Bob

[biggerjer]

Same thing with me, worked fine for last trip was fine when I shut it off, would not light up when tried to use it next time. Difference is the LED on my recall box is not lit at all. Has 12 Volts to it (actually 13.5) and refer works fine when DC applied directly to board. Box has failed to transmit the DC but apparently is not tripped per se. No way to receive a 900 degree signal when turned off.
Going to shop this week will advise, if there is a class action suit going on I want in.

[jdocter7]

Same problem here. We are Fulltimers, but took a break of about a month to help our daughter tear apart her kitchen. Back on the road today, and our refridge appeared totally lifeless.

Thanks to your advice, we're now running at 38 degrees and will get it to an authorized service center to be checked out as soon as possible. We appreciate the help!

[ottffss]

jdoc (and others who bypass the black box) - If you smell even the slightest smell of ammonia completely shut off the refer before you finish that breath. No kidding. You would do good to make daily/nightly inspections inside the outside refer cover for any evidence of ammonia or other leakage or burning around the heater/burner area. Again, no kidding.

[biggerjer]

I agree that these should be by passed with care. Even though our local repair place has ordered another box I am just plain afraid of this whole situation. Think that at the least I will find a halon extinguisher system to install in the compartment. This is apparently a terrible product that has been recalled and not repaired but modified with unreliable parts to turn it off.I don't think any of us paid the big money for these coaches so that we could be rendered afraid to use them by "Norcold". Come on lawsuit I'm in.

[biggerjer]

Well, some good news for a change. A local dealer in Salem, OR "Roberson's" actually understands the problem with these recall kits and installed a new kit for me yesterday, tested the unit and sent me on my way without even trying to sell a new cooling unit, unlike one of their competitors here. This replacement of the first recall was done at no charge. There are some good ones out there and am much relieved to find one.