Generally, no. If the thermistor is open or shorted the cooling unit should go into backup mode. If you have the Service Manual, how to determine the if unit is in backup mode, and how to test the thermistor is all explained in detail in the manual. If you don’t actually have the Service Manual, that needs to be your starting point. That manual will make it a lot easier to diagnose your problem then “diagnosis via forums”.
My main question, would this actually stop the refrigerator from cooling?
the manual does show how to test the unit, with a chart that shows resistance to temperature, the fault on the refrigerate shows it as an open or fault. A replacement was only $12 and will be delivered tomorrow, with my RV in storage, once i get the new part I will go install it and hopefully clear that fault.
The answer to your main question was “Generally, no”.
I replaced the thermistor and this fault cleared, after turning over the unit, the front panel now shows temperature flowing and no faults, I could not leave on at the storage, we will see what happens when i get it home this week😁
