Norcold N10DCSSR freezer not cold

[HBFTX]

We accidentally let the RV power down. So for about 2 days everything was off. Plugged the RV back in and now the Norcold N10DCSSR refrigerator is acting up. The freezer won’t get cold at all and the refrigerator is freezing things and it’s set on 2! The outside temperatures have been between 60 and 85 degrees. Nothing is blocking any vents. So what the heck is going on?

[Earl II]

Originally Posted by HBFTX

We accidentally let the RV power down. So for about 2 days everything was off. Plugged the RV back in and now the Norcold N10DCSSR refrigerator is acting up. The freezer won’t get cold at all and the refrigerator is freezing things and it’s set on 2! The outside temperatures have been between 60 and 85 degrees. Nothing is blocking any vents. So what the heck is going on?

Well, here is our story with our Norcold 10 model that is only four plus years old. Last year it barely got cold on the electric setting. We had the heating element replaced and it worked better but not that great on electric. This year we were making our long trip south and set it on propane, thinking that it would be okay. It worked for the first part of the trip and then it just quit working completely. Got to our favorite RV repair shop and they said that the main cooling element that holds the ammonia was not working. $1400 part to replace. The Norcold in our Bay Star is no longer in production and was about $4100 anyway. Now we have a Furrion 10 model running completely on 12 volt. We'll see how it goes but it is very cold right now. No more propane and no ice maker but I'll accept that if the refrigerator and freezer are cold.

[litzdog911]

Originally Posted by Earl II

Well, here is our story with our Norcold 10 model that is only four plus years old. Last year it barely got cold on the electric setting. We had the heating element replaced and it worked better but not that great on electric. This year we were making our long trip south and set it on propane, thinking that it would be okay. It worked for the first part of the trip and then it just quit working completely. Got to our favorite RV repair shop and they said that the main cooling element that holds the ammonia was not working. $1400 part to replace. The Norcold in our Bay Star is no longer in production and was about $4100 anyway. Now we have a Furrion 10 model running completely on 12 volt. We'll see how it goes but it is very cold right now. No more propane and no ice maker but I'll accept that if the refrigerator and freezer are cold.

That's not the OP's issue. The Norcold N10DC does not run on propane. It's exclusively 12VDC compressor-based, not absorption.

[Old-Biscuit]

Norcold N10DC Service Manual
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/16...ld-N10dcx.html


Diagnostic Test start pg 8

[Earl II]

Originally Posted by litzdog911

That's not the OP's issue. The Norcold N10DC does not run on propane. It's exclusively 12VDC compressor-based, not absorption.

Thanks Litz. True what you said but I never said I was making a comment specific to the OP either did I? It is a comment about a four year old Norcold unit. All of this crap seems to be China based manufacturing just like residential microwave ovens which are impossible to repair and are another throw away item. Yes, that is another statement that is a bit off base from the OP too. FYI, there was a reader that thanked me in a private message for my post so it did help someone which is the point of the forum I always thought.

[litzdog911]

Originally Posted by Earl II

Thanks Litz. True what you said but I never said I was making a comment specific to the OP either did I? It is a comment about a four year old Norcold unit. All of this crap seems to be China based manufacturing just like residential microwave ovens which are impossible to repair and are another throw away item. Yes, that is another statement that is a bit off base from the OP too. FYI, there was a reader that thanked me in a private message for my post so it did help someone which is the point of the forum I always thought.

No worries. I just didn't want the OP to think your post applied to their situation. Many folks don't understand the differences between absorption and compressor refrigerators.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Earl II

Thanks Litz. True what you said but I never said I was making a comment specific to the OP either did I? It is a comment about a four year old Norcold unit. All of this crap seems to be China based manufacturing just like residential microwave ovens which are impossible to repair and are another throw away item. Yes, that is another statement that is a bit off base from the OP too. FYI, there was a reader that thanked me in a private message for my post so it did help someone which is the point of the forum I always thought.

Originally Posted by litzdog911

No worries. I just didn't want the OP to think your post applied to their situation. Many folks don't understand the differences between absorption and compressor refrigerators.

Easy to cross thread a post and send it sideways/off track which can cause confusion

[Earl II]

Two weeks on the road and so far the new Furrion is working well and consistently in the 30 degree range with the refrigerator.

[Thehost]

Originally Posted by HBFTX

We accidentally let the RV power down. So for about 2 days everything was off. Plugged the RV back in and now the Norcold N10DCSSR refrigerator is acting up. The freezer won’t get cold at all and the refrigerator is freezing things and it’s set on 2! The outside temperatures have been between 60 and 85 degrees. Nothing is blocking any vents. So what the heck is going on?

Same issue here. Fridge is freezing everything, but freezer is warm. Do you know if the unit needs to be uninstalled to troubleshoot?

[Thehost]

I went ahead and uninstalled it to troubleshot. Test G doesn’t seem to make sense since I’m not getting an E1 error code.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Thehost

I went ahead and uninstalled it to troubleshot. Test G doesn’t seem to make sense since I’m not getting an E1 error code.

Test G.......fridge gets TOO cold
Not your issue

What did you find on Test F?
What did you find on Test I?

Did you check freezer thermistor?
Did you check food compartment thermistor?

[nelson29th]

Norcold n10dcssr freezer not getting cold and fridge freezing

I have changed the board, swapped the thermistors. Nothing has made a difference. I believe this unit has a blockage. This seems to be big issue with this unit. Does anyone have any other thoughts on things I can try or is it just time to give up and by a new fridge. Thanks for any advice.

[Thehost]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Test G.......fridge gets TOO cold
Not your issue

What did you find on Test F?
What did you find on Test I?

Did you check freezer thermistor?
Did you check food compartment thermistor?

I replaced one thermister, same issue.
Swapped the two and same issue.