Forum Discussion

Theo_w's avatar
Theo_w
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013

Norcold N821 Propane Mode Failure

I know the answer is here somewhere but I cannot find it so.... My refridgerator works fine on AC but when I go into propane mode the following happens: The starter fires, the flame lites (good strong flame), the starter keeps firing and firing and...until the control panel(?) decides it is not lighting and shuts the gas off. The flu is clear and everything looks clean in and around the heating unit. I am baffeled and would appreciate any suggestions.

6 Replies

  • Ok. Yes I removed the control board and inspected the solder joints, in fact I used a magnafiing glass to go over the whole board. Nothing suspicious so I guess I will be shopping around for a control board.
    Thanks for your help Doug.
    Theo
  • Theo w wrote:
    Well folks I put a new spark/sensor and still no go. Symptoms are still the same. Will try and call Norcold and see if they will help and if you have any more suggestions I will sure give them a try.
    Thanks again
    Theo


    ONLY 2 things to the LP system
    1. The spark electrode and wire (you have replaced)
    2. The control board is bad---unless you take it loose and check the solder connections on the Piezo tower as I explained above. IF they are loose, you can solder them and make it work without buying a new board
    Doug
  • Well folks I put a new spark/sensor and still no go. Symptoms are still the same. Will try and call Norcold and see if they will help and if you have any more suggestions I will sure give them a try.
    Thanks again
    Theo
  • Thank You for the information. I will try it again ASAP.
  • 2 things
    1. The spark electrode assbly is defective--most common fault
    2. IF you have pulled the Spark electrode wire from the Piezo assbly on the control board recently and did NOT use a screwdriver to hold the Piezo tower in place as you pulled the spade terminal loose, you may have pulled the solder connections loose from the circuit board and that looseness will allow the Piezo to transmit the spark voltage, but NOT allow the return voltage to be processed to let the board know you have a flame. Doug
  • First try cleaning the tip of the sparker and make sure it is in the flame and about 3/16" away from burner.

    Also clean the contacts at the board side.

    If that fails, your spark/flame sensor may have gone bad I would replace the sensor.