Norcold propane/electric fridge is not cooling

[atxshaws]

Hi all,
I have a norcold 2dr propane/electric fridge that is not cooling enough on either propane or electric modes, same for both modes. The fins in the fridge are 49 degrees regardless of mode and temp setting between 5-9.
Trouble shooting:
Turned off fridge on panel and unplugged Ac cord, reset breaker.
Checked all fridge fuses even in back panel.
Checked roof vent is clear, warm air coming out.
Removed and emptied/cleaned propane burner shroud there was some very fine rust.
Took everything out of fridge and put in ice chest.
Checked 12v and 120v power to everything in back of fridge.
We have been parked extremely level for 2 weeks.
No ammonia smell in back or inside fridge
In Texas so mild winter, 40-60 outside.

Does anyone know what else I can check/do?

[Old-Biscuit]

atxshaws wrote:
57-ish. Really bummed. Guess I'll check the cooling unit place out. See if they have any ideas. The fridge is fine otherwise, but just a pretty boat anchor if it doesn't chill!

Sorry to hear that..........was hoping for bad thermistor

Blocked cooling unit

Personally, not worth throwing money at with a new/refurbished cooling unit......control module is 15 yrs old, burner is 15 yrs. old, interior is 15 yrs. old

You got your monies worth.

Now would be good time for a residential, good inverter, battery upgrade and a small solar ......all together cheaper than cooling unit

New RV absorption fridge......I'm not very sold on them due to high cost and lower build quality.

Good luck!

[4Kellys]

Like someone else said, if you can't fix it, chuck it and buy a residential for about a quarter of the price of a new Dometic. Good luck, I hope you can fix it.

[atxshaws]

57-ish. Really bummed. Guess I'll check the cooling unit place out. See if they have any ideas. The fridge is fine otherwise, but just a pretty boat anchor if it doesn't chill!

[rhagfo]

atxshaws wrote:
Thanks OB! Doing it now.

Results?

[AUwing2]

Had a similar issue in October with a fridge still under warranty - we had been sitting under constant power since April. After a 200 mile tow to the dealer, the fridge worked! Hook up, shake a while and recheck operation . . .

But then again, yours is 15 years old

[atxshaws]

Thanks OB! Doing it now.

[Old-Biscuit]

Unplug the thermistor (temp sensor attached to fin in food section) leads at control module

Place glass of water in food section with thermometer in it

Then turn fridge on.....electric

Let it run 24 hrs. Then check temp. IF NOT below 40*F cooling unit is bad.

IF temp is below 40*F (S/B in the 30s) then thermistor is bad

[WyoTraveler]

If I had a Norcold that was about 15 years old I wouldn't put another dime into it. I would either replace it with a Dometic or a residential fridge.

[GBill]

Yes 15 is getting up there. I just went through the same thing. It was the cooling unit letting down. It wasn't dead but tired. So replaced it with a household frige and and a 1000w inverter. Cheaper and I think better fix overall. Is yours a NDR 106? series?

[rhagfo]

I assume that you have flame if on Propane, and you stated that you felt warmth coming out of the upper vent, even without the ammonia smell could be the cooling unit, or circuit board.
My thought if it is on propane, and you have flame, then the cooling unit should be cooling even if you have a bad circuit board.
15 years is a long life for a RV reefer.
If the cabinet is still in great shape, if not the circuit board, I would replace the cooling unit.

RVcoolingUnit

Their tech support line is 901-337-9948, when I needed to replace mine in our old 5er, they were extremely helpful. Should be able to assist with troubleshooting.

[atxshaws]

15yrs. From what I've read that could be fine, but that was my concern as well. Maybe it's time.

[GBill]

How old is the refrigerator ?