Forum Discussion

luvdoggiez's avatar
luvdoggiez
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014

Refridgerator won't run on AC

Hi there everyone,

I went past the outside of our motorhome earlier today and heard the propane running on the refrigerator. I checked our refrigerator and it was set to auto, but running on propane. I unplugged the fridge and checked the outlet and it showed 120 volts. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to look further into this and figure out what is going on with the refrigerator?

Our refrigerator is a side-by-side refrigerator manufactured by Norcold. Our Moho is a 2003.

Thanks in advance for any assistance in this matter.

Eric and Carol Anderson
  • So it looks like our Refrigerator has two A/C heater elements. Both of the wire sets look identical and both are labeled as 120 VAC heater elements. Both tested out with the ohm meter at about 73 ohms. So, I'm thinking the control board may have failed. Does anyone know of testing instructions for a board with a part number of 621271?

    Thanks for the help!

    - Eric -
  • Check the 5 amp fuse first. I have a Norcold 8142 that does the same thing occasionally.
  • I replaced the electric element in mine a couple months ago. Cost 38-78 on the net. I salvaged one from a junked fridge.
  • Helianthus 52N wrote:
    Shot in the dark here from someone who knows next to nothing about how things work... hehe.

    I have a Norcold in my new to me fifth wheel. A week after purchase and running on AC, the fridge packed it in. The troubleshooting section of the manual didn't help at all. But the owner of the RV dealership sure did. He came out to where I am and took a look at the back end of the fridge. He unplugged everything back there. The AC plug, the generator thingie and the propane whatever. Waited a few seconds, then plugged it all back in again. Apparently, the control center of the fridge, much like a computer sometimes, needed a reboot.


    Sounds like they did a hard reset.
    Not something that should be needed.......but required when the Norcold doesn't work on electric OR propane
  • Shot in the dark here from someone who knows next to nothing about how things work... hehe.

    I have a Norcold in my new to me fifth wheel. A week after purchase and running on AC, the fridge packed it in. The troubleshooting section of the manual didn't help at all. But the owner of the RV dealership sure did. He came out to where I am and took a look at the back end of the fridge. He unplugged everything back there. The AC plug, the generator thingie and the propane whatever. Waited a few seconds, then plugged it all back in again. Apparently, the control center of the fridge, much like a computer sometimes, needed a reboot.
  • I agree with a burned out heating element. Pretty quick change-out. I did one in about 20 minutes or so and no idea what I was doing.
  • Best guess is A/c heater element failure. Check continuity of element
  • Got 110V AC to outlet....but do you have AC to fridge at control module??

    5a Fuse on module board is for AC circuit (heater) so fuse could be blown OR AC heater element has failed.

    Side by Side Norcold.....model 1200?
    At least it's doesn't have a Red LED light ON (recall box) cause it wouldn't work on propane either

    Any error codes?
    Have you used the diagnostic mode?