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dgreen1069's avatar
dgreen1069
Explorer
Apr 10, 2022

Dometic NDA1402 Cooling Fin Heating Element

My rig has a Dometic NDA1402 refrigerator. When I turned the fridge on this afternoon I got error code 12. According to the service manual, error code 12 means there is a problem with the refrigerator side cooling fin heater element. I checked the element with a multimeterand found an open circuit (no resistance). I should be seeing 3 to 4ohms. Long story short, I have determined it needs to be replaced.

Looking online, it appears the part (3850674015) is discontinued and unavailable everywhere I have looked. I would HATE to replace the entire fridge for this one simple part. Has anyone else run into this problem? Can I use a different heater element to accomplish the same task and fool the fridge into working?

Does anyone know if I could simply add a jumper in place of the heating element to trick the refrigerator into working? If this is a bad idea or dangerous, please let me know. I am just brain storming at this point.
  • craig7h's avatar
    craig7h
    Nomad II
    Apr 10, 2022
    The rig in your signature says 03, I would say the frig could use some help.

    In my 07 the frig (norcold) up and died while on a trip. I also did not want to really replace the frig. I did however looks at replacing with residential ones. To much wood work for my to make it look like it belonged so that was out. A new norcold same size would mean taking the windshield out to get the frig in. So that was out.

    I ended up going with new cooling unit from JC Refrigeration. https://jc-refrigeration.com/
    I changed my old cooling unit for their 120v only unit as I do not boondock and am alway plugged in.
    I am very happy with the unit and JC customer support is spot on great folks to work with.

    Good Luck

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