When the Norcold Fridge goes PERMAFROST

[Buzzcut1]

It started a week or so ago. The fridge started getting too cold. It was OK on Propane but on AC any setting above 2 sent the contents into the ice age. At 3 the fridge was at 28-32* and the freezer was at 0. The Model is N641.3 Per the Norcold trouble shooting blog it was either the Thermister or the Optical Control Board. I opted to replace the Thermister at $25 vs the optical board at $188 to see if it would fix the issue.

I ordered it on Wednesday and it arrived from Southern California tonight. It took 3 minutes to swap it out, no tools required. I set the fridge on AC and a temperature setting of 4. The temperature has been holding at 40 for 3 hours now. I am venturing that we have a solution.

Photo new part number bag and old removed Thermister assembly



link for ordering Norcold Parts
Norcold Parts ordering

[jaycocreek]

mlts22 wrote:
I keep reading good things about this. I wonder if Snip The Tip would help in this situation.

I like the one I put in.Works perfect on the default setting.

[Old-Biscuit]

mlts22 wrote:
I keep reading good things about this. I wonder if Snip The Tip would help in this situation.

That Link is for the Domestic Models.

There is one also for Norcold......LINK

Easy way to replace a bad thermistor w/o having to pull thermistor leads thru fridge compartment wall to plug into control module...which one would have to do with an OEM replacement

Except for models like OPs
They plug/unplug right there at light assembly so OEM is easy replacement.

[mlts22]

I keep reading good things about this. I wonder if Snip The Tip would help in this situation.

[Old-Biscuit]

Buzzcut1

That thermistor S/B on the 10th fin from right for correct fin temp readings/thermostat control


deltabravo

The thermistor (Norcold/Dometic/Atwood) attaches to a fin in food compartment for temp sensing......the leads go thru fridge wall and plug into the control module located on backside of fridge in outside compartment

Depending on which Brand determines which fin

[Buzzcut1]

jefe 4x4 wrote:
Buzz and others,
We had this problem with our garage refrigerator. The difference was it would just not keep things cool below about 20 deg. F and acted more like an insulation cavity. Oddly enough it was the same simple fix: fooling the sensor. Oh, and we insulated the garage, that helped too.
You going to Yosemite again for Christmas? Your post about a snowy camp in Yosemite is legend.
jefe

Maybe:B

[jefe_4x4]

Buzz and others,
We had this problem with our garage refrigerator. The difference was it would just not keep things cool below about 20 deg. F and acted more like an insulation cavity. Oddly enough it was the same simple fix: fooling the sensor. Oh, and we insulated the garage, that helped too.
You going to Yosemite again for Christmas? Your post about a snowy camp in Yosemite is legend.
jefe

[deltabravo]

Thanks for the pic. I thought it was something that went in back side of the fridge where all the electronics and stuff were at. Pic helps!

[noteven]

Thanks for the post Buzzcut1.

[Buzzcut1]

[deltabravo]

Could you post a photo of where this little gem is installed in a fridge?

[Buzzcut1]

well 12 hours have passed at the temperature is holding at 40*. This is good because we are leaving next week for a 9 day road trip, one less thing to deal with.

[jaycocreek]

Just went through the exact same thing and started as you did, but ended up with a new board also, to solve the issue.

[Buzzcut1]

I should qualify the OK on propane comment. On propane I could keep the fridge from freezing at the 4 setting but just that, it was at 36.

[Old-Biscuit]

$25 repair cost on a 8 yr old RV fridge..........pretty good.

Freezing in food section thermistor is FIRST suspect. Either that have fallen off the fin and are hanging down, have been disconnected or just bad.
W/O thermistor sensing fin temp thermostat doesn't get feed back so it allows fridge to run continuously.


Surprised same didn't occur when using propane.......which could be that propane isn't 'heating' as it should. Dirty burner, dirty flue/flue baffle or low flame height