Changing refrigerator cooling unit...New or Refurbished??

The DM2852RBX was a short production run (built outside the US) while Dometic built a New Production Plant in Elkhart.

Here is a NEW Amish Built replacement cooling unit for your model
RV Cooling Unit Warehouse....$665

They also have 'reman' for $545

I would go with NEW

And a new element also while access is wide open


Question:

What troubleshooting did you do?
Disconnect thermistor
Direct wiring of element to force cool the fridge