Norcold fridge quit

[olddc]

I have a norcold refridgerator in my 5th wheel It absolutely just quit cooling AC or gas some one on another page said if it doesn't work on either it is shot . would that be a fair assesment does anyone have a possible answer. I did keep the unit always plugged in and refridge running.

[macantic]

I would check to see if it has power to it first,if not,then check the breakers and the fuses before you buy a new one.

[kalynzoo]

From experience. First find a certified norcold tech. Is there power to the outlet? Did the recalled wart fail? Is there corrosion on the back of the circuit board (my latest problem which was repaired)? Can the cooling unit just be replaced? Replacement eith a rebuilt cooling coil is much less expensive than a new frig. Good luck.

[Dagwood]

I agree with kalynzoo. In my case it was shot and I chose to remodel with a residential unit because of the cost.

[toneumanns]

Is it the LRM1200 model? Has the recall box been installed? If so see if the red LED light is lite. If it is, it has sensed an overheat problem shutting the unit down before a fire could start.

[Lt Dan]

Originally Posted by olddc

I have a norcold refridgerator in my 5th wheel It absolutely just quit cooling AC or gas some one on another page said if it doesn't work on either it is shot . would that be a fair assesment does anyone have a possible answer. I did keep the unit always plugged in and refridge running.

A couple of things to check. Check to make sure you have 12 volt power to the back of the fridge. The fridge won't operate without 12 volt. As previous post said, if it has the recall high temp shutdown black box installed and the red light is on, it has shut down the 12v supply. If the red light is on, try disconnecting the black box and hooking 12volt directly to the control unit on the fridge, bypassing the over temp sensor unit. Check for corrosion and yellow staining around the cooling unit. If there is yellow stain, then the ammonia has leaked out and a replacement unit is necessary.

I replaced the cooling unit in my Norcold last year after two of the recall boxes failed just prior to trips. Had to bypass the darn thing to make it because Norcold won't send the unit directly to a consumer, just to a service center and it can take a couple of weeks. Didn't want to chance a fire, so I replaced the cooling unit even though it was still working. If you have to replace, I recommend the Amish unit. Much more robust and cools down quicker.

A lot have replaced the fridge with residential, but that's a whole other discussion and takes several modifications.

Just my $.02 worth.