The NO-NONSENSE RV Refrigerator Repair & Troubleshooting Guide ~Figure it Out in 5 Min
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Norcold Thermistor Ohm Chart and Location Guide:
www.arprv.com/...
After watching too many long and useless TH-cam videos on TH-cam just trying to find the proper Ohms of a RV refrigerator thermistor, I decided to make a simple, no non-sense RV refrigerator repair guide.
Simply put, you either have a thermistor problem, a control board problem, or a heating element problem. They are not that hard to troubleshoot, and I cover most of the common failure points in the video.
Purchased: August 2023 - still works GREAT!I th-cam.com/users/postUgkxxsUnXhGsSJLim_XnMHyQK0u3XVaW-CGn live in a studio and during the summer it gets scorching hot - really old building with no ac units. I can’t express how EASY it was to install. This unit has been a life savior during the summer and some days during other seasons where it can still be a bit warm at night. In this small place is my friend, a husky, poodle mix and myself. We need AC - lolI don’t use the dehumidifier option - I’m not sure if it will leak in my house, since I did not install the small draining hose that came with it. May look into it late but I don’t worry about much humidity in the apartment. I don’t understand why the negative reviews since all things mentioned, I personally did not find issues with. Definitely worth it!
7 years in and this video is STILL saving asses. Good job, dude, you saved me a lot of trouble.
I love the "No Nonsense " approach...no BS just problem solving. Thank you
Great walkthrough! I would like to add something. If your unit has been off for a length of time, the oil will gum up. Similar to gas when old. So many people change parts and testing them out often frees up the obstruction. I would suggest tapping on the tubes with a small wrench when it's heating up. Be sure to focus on the bends. The tube is pinched more. Do this periodically and you might find things start working all of a sudden. I've been the hero on many older RV's by doing this first. Great vid! Thermistor can be spliced as well. Some older models are hard to access.
Great Feedback and Info!
Tapping on what tubes? The LPG or the cooling tube in refer back?
@@billszymborski584 He's talking about the coolant tubes
Ima have to try this
Cooling tubes
Also check the celinder above the flame. Turn gas off. There are 2white plug ins on the side. Pull one out, & between the two plug ins is a small reset switch. Something else to try.
Also reset all GFIC as they can prevent elect to continue.
One more thing. Take off the black removable box over the panel. At the bottom of the circuit board are two wires that contain fuses that can be blown. Not hard to replace. Many stores have them.
Not many people can say “no nonsense” and actually deliver; thank you for not wasting my time with a 20 minute video.
I’ve had my trailer for a year. On my first trip, we were off balance, and the “check” light came on the fridge. So I rebalanced the trailer and all was good. Last night we got to a camp site late, we were off balance, but no “check” light, so I planned to just rebalance in the morning. Woke up today with no lights on the fridge. The whole unit is off and completely unresponsive. Any advice? Maybe a 2nd breaker panel I don’t know about? I hope!
Thank you for providing a USEFUL, NO-NONSENSE video!! I get so irritated at people that make a reality show video so they can be the star instead of a troubleshooting video like yours.. thanks again!👏
Great video. One more suggestion - my fridge was underperforming and when I checked with a manometer the gas pressure was way low. An adjustment to the regulator fixed the problem.
Great input! I didn't think of that when I made the video.
Finally a TH-cam DIY Video that was to the point and Not full of Fluff! Thanks!!
Well done I don’t know if this will help anybody and my thermister Ohm’s was reading like 10.8 and fridge was cutting off a lot I changed my thermister and that seems to have fixed it so like this man says go to simpler things first always !
Also side note : I have the exact same fridge as he did in this video
Great, useful video - thanks!
This guy should do another video showing everyone how to shoot a perfect "how to" guide.
A very great guide. Straight to the point and without the bullshit!
Agreed
The symptoms you described fit my situation, cooling fins frosted over. Removed lamp cover to discover it was full of water, electrical connections green with corrosion. Dryed it with compressed air then sprayed the contacts with electronic contact cleaner. Restarted, Perfect operation restored. Thank you for setting me on the correct course.
Freezer cold but fridge not any ideas
Oh my goodness, thank you sooo much for the video! Definitely saved us from needing to buy a new fridge. Had my husband check the resistor and it showed nothing! Thanks again!
Awesome!
Thanks for the info!!!! Useful! Our fridge is not working on 12V. Works fine on 220 and gas
Ours is older and it only works on 12v when the engine is running. Basically it is run off the alternator. That is what our manual says. 1990 Hawkins Motor Coach with 3 way Dometic Refer.
@Alonso Jayson thank you!!
You're RV frigerator shouldn't have 220 going to it, I don't think you're being completely honest.
@@skeetermcswagger0U812 ...never met a RV fridge that runs off 12volts either
@@thecentralscrutinizer5105
Just just for the record, all RV Refrigerators except for Class 'A' units with optional residential units need 12VOLT(DC) current to do anything.
There used to be a prevalence of a 12VDC only option in what was known as a '3 way' refrigerator but that proved problematic because even the heating element for the cooling unit ran off of 12VDC so it was equivalent to plugging a waffle iron into your cigarette lighter plug in your car.(this configuration of unit were slowly phased out in the mid-'80 and are only used in slide-in truck campers & and marine/boat applications)
have yet to ever see an RV refrigerator that actually works on anything but,12VDC/LP or 12VDC/110-120 AC.
good video on how to troubleshoot the thermistor, but it fell far short of the title of the video... it gave a brief description of how the system works, but didnt show how to troubleshoot the gas valve or the igniter... and more importantly, the outputs of the board itself..... nor did it mention the fuse. another couple of minutes could have covered it.... but what was shown was to the point, which is good.
Thank you for that no bs Straightforward troubleshoot video I get so irritated by people who take 12 min to tell a fix.
Me too. You're welcome!
You are the MAN!!! I don't even have to go look to know it is the thermistor I am having a problem with!! This is going on my maker space group page!!
Awesome! Glad to help!
He said clean the flew for LP diagnosis of frig not getting cold. Its not just by wiping the top of it but removing the burner orifice and tapping all the potential burned powder like material that comes out when tapped against a hard surface. And making sure openings are fully open in burner orifice by using a razor blade.
The best diy video on the internet.
Thanks!
Follow up after getting new thermistor. After blowing a fuse (because I'm an idiot) and getting this installed we have had to lower the setting from 8 to 3. Worked great! Thanks for the info!
Awesome! It's amazing how much one sensor can affect the system
Best video I have found for a comprehensive guide on all potential issues. Thanks!
Love how dirty the back of your fridge compartment is. I'm also a member of this club. 🤣
I was having problems with mine not freezing, I checked this and it is bad. Thank-you! Part is ordered.
Glad I could help! Give us an update when you get the new part in.
Finally a video with basic instructions ! Thank you. I'm going to get to work on figuring out and hopefully fixing my fridge. Nice video
This is great! My fridge is not working 😕 my mototrhome is a little older I have an 88!! I hope this helps I'm gonna work on it today
Awesome! Still a lot of classic old RV fridges out there cooling away.
My dometic fridge cools on propane but it will not cool on electric. I have a 2015 Forester Class C. Ive changed the 2glass fuses outside of the coach. Ive also ensured that all GFCI outlets are reset.
Good straight to the point video, well informative information. I have a Norcold N811 stopped cooling after a week of "below 0" temperatures. I thought the unit had went out, turns out the "Thermistor" was the problem. I too ordered from Amazon, too bad they made you remove the links because it only helped their business. Good Job!
Sweet! I'm glad I could helo!
Amazon, sadly, is proving to be a beast to those that made them...
You should see the reports of all the sales I sent their way.
Nice video thanks. I just bought a boat fridge. 12 volt and 110 ac current. But I get it down to the boat and let it set a day level and plug it in and then nothing , it's a Norcold Tek 2. But no sounds no vibration and no on light. So I looked up a video and yours looked good and it was and thanks for a great video. So it sounds like whatever it is probably a control board is my guess but it's a replaceable part. I need to try the 12 volt part yet. I need some longer wires or test leads. I have the same fridge in my Sailboat but bigger and it's worked great for years. Some old timer told me that if you get one that won't cool anymore to flip it upside down. Ok after unplugging it lol. Upside down and tape a vibrating sander to for 24 and 9 times out of 10 it will work. He said the freon settles in the low points of the system and buy agitating it will free it up and make it work like new again. I haven't tried it yet but makes sense. He swears buy it.
All of them need 12V always, even if you aren't running in 12V mode. The 12v controls the electronics.
I replaced my thermoster. I also replaced thermostat. I’m at 50 degrees in fridge. The freezer works great. The pipes are hot so it’s expanding ammonia. What about the fan? I’m also it to the point of swapping for a residential fridge and we Rv full time. I have norcold N8XF
FYI. In extreme temps, 108 plus in Az mine would not cool enough for dairy. Tried everything. Finally i checked the upper outside pannel. Tons of heat. I removed the cover so air could flow freely and bingo! Worked 👍. Still have some issues at 112 degrees plus though
Good work.
AZ can be tough for any cooling system. I just left there with my Sprinter van.
Many if the newer RV fridges have small 12V computer fans attached to the back of the fridge that blow upwards (towards the roof vent). I can take a pic tomorrow. If you feel like it, you could do the same.
wow dude! this post saved me! I'm in S. Texas with upwards of 99 degrees everyday almost all day long. I couldn't keep diary from spoiling. I would not have thought to remove that upper panel. Had fixed everything else. Now I can have cream in my coffee again. You rock!
I THANK you very much for this information about the thermistor and how to trouble shoot the problem.
*Easy to assemble **Fastly.Cool*
I never have had that fix the problem . Ice always built up with new thermaster . When I added fans to back of the fridge , no more ice build up .
Same problem I have same fridge, keep getting no co error and resetting 2 x a day. I have same reading on thermistor, Soon to have no mo no co! Thanks for the no nonsense. Some other video was telling how to check an ac outlet , I'm like wha the... ?
You rock Bro 100%....most "how to" videos go on and on and end up not learning a thing...Thank you so much for your time in making simple...short ...but informative and helpful learning vidoes....I live in my camper...it's sat up skirted and all.....So.... my f
ridge quit yesterday and problem is pretty much the opposite of this...it's a norcold,...model #9182...there is no ice....no frost build up..and no cold at all...kicks on and everything just won't get cold....it's been running just on electricity for years now.....any other ideas?...I liked the page and am going to try and find another that might maybe solve my problem....thank you again for great instructions and helpful ideas...your definitely my first choice from now on...
With great appreciation
Joe B..
Cheyenne
Wy.
Same issue with mine you ever figure out the problem?
This is the style I wished cooking videos were made in. A+++
Great information! Then problem we are having is that it won't turn on at all, so I can't see what mode it is on. No lighting up. Not sure where to go from there.
It is a NORCOLD in a 1989 Ford Cobra. From the paperwork that came with my motor home it should be one of these four model numbers 662, 663, 682, or 683. Thank you
You truly rock! I wish all videos were like yours. Short, no nonsense guidance to fixing my rv refer. You are now my go-to source and my new friend. Thanks. I have subscribed. I don't usually subscibe, but the quality of your production is worthy.
Awesome! Glad you liked it.
I’m lucky if mine will get below 50. It runs and cools and I checked the thermister last year according to the chart but it checked good.
I’m found a test run before a trip and the first day I turned it on it hit 50°. The second day I put several waters on the top shelf and struggled to get below 60°.. it’s so unreliable I’m stuck using a cooler or may have to break down and buy a new unit which is crazy expensive. This caper is only a couple years old and was purchased new. It never has worked good.
Thank you for not bla bla blaing right to the point
No Problem. Glad to help people out!
You're right, there are no other helpful videos in this arena. Well done. Tks.
Best TH-cam video I’ve seen so far, thank you so much!!!
I can't find the link for the item/thermostat- can you share if you have?
Oh I see he says link to table. I'll look further and hopefully match it.
I have a Norcold in a 1991 Dutchmen I just bought and the fridge won't start up in propane. Thank you for this starting point in my trouibleshooting journey
Glad to help.
Check:
Voltage to solenoid.
Carbon at the gas jet.
@@TrailerDayz Will do; I subscribed to your channel by the way
In outside access door, my fridge looks identical to yours. The cooling unit heats up in AC and propane modes and the cooling unit is warm but the fridge does not cool down at all.
I was almost waiting for him to say;"... and if your engine in your motor home doesn't start, its PROBABLY thermistor."
or
".....if your wife doesn't get along with you when you're watching the game it's PROBABLY your thermistor." LOL!😅
This is a great video, How ever my Refer works fine on AC mode and it works for about two days on LP then one day unexpectedly it will shut off and the check light will come on. sometimes it will go for a week without that happening. Any ideas. thanks again
Good No-nonsense information. I probably have a thermister issue.
Glad to help!
I stopped the no co error for good without ordering a thermistor. I stuck a 1.5 k ohm resistor across the thermistor terminals at the connector. I suspect I may have to manually defrost it eventually, but who cares. It's been doing great over 2 weeks now. Before, I was getting the no co error 2 or 3 times a day. The thermistor is still installed. that's just a 1500 ohm little 1/4 watt resistor was all it took. Other values would probably work too I would bet from 680 to 2.2k.
Great video. I've got one that has a cold freezer but the fridge isn't getting cold. Happens on both gas and A/C. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Hey, did you find out what yours was doing? I have the exact same problem!
Oh. Re watched again. So I may possibly have a control board issue. I'll need to pick up a voltmeter & a tool that will get the screws off the control board. Taking those screws off is the hard part....then I drop them! 😋
Great help just info to fix No crap like where you are,whats the weather hears my dog Thanks
What if freezer works fine but fridge is warm. (Cool, not cold.) Running on Propane. Propane works fine on it.
Awesome helpful video! Buying my first horse trailer with livingquarters and fridge and wanted to know how it all worked. Wished i wouldve looked into this before my parents replaced theirs with a normal fridge.
Thanks! Glad I could help :)
Awesome video very straight to the point , any suggestions for a norcold1200Lrim, freezer works (gets down to zero)but fridge does not get cold ?
You totally saved me. Thank you for getting to the heart of the matter. This is exactly what's wrong with my fridge. I'm ordering the part immediately. Thanks again!
When we bought our camper.the refrigerator was not working turn out to be the outlet. There was a short in the wiring in the closet by the bedroom. I’ve went through and replaced all the outlets in my camper and make sure all wires made good connection.
That is a good idea. The outlets used in RV's are not built to the same quality standards as home outlets.
You are correct, Simple & easy and straight to the point.
Thank you for your time and this video. Got my meter out and was able to tell the thermistor was going bad. Ordered a new one from the link you provided. Fridge works great now!. I was having the same trouble trying to find useful information so thank you again!.
Mark E. Loring Cool!
I wished this video showed how to hook up the wires. My light stopped working and shortly after my fridge was not working. The lights and codes all work on the door but the fridge does not get cold. I took off the light cover and found a lose wire. The wire is short and I'm not sure how to hook the wire back up. But all other info was great.
Title was perfectly executed, thank you for no nonsense information!
Anytime :)
Hi, thank you for your video. StraightForward. Do this fridges have fans?? My freezer is working on both electric and gas. The problem is the refrigerator section is not cooling off.
Some will have 12v cooling fans in the rear compartment to help vent upward.
Thanks for the overview of RV refrigeration..!
I have the same frigi. I just bought the camper everything was working a week ago. Now the frig doesn't work but the freezer works. Thanks my frig is a 3 way and doesn't work on any setting. A/C or Propane or DC.
That was short and simple, But Very Helpful thanks,
I don’t have a volt meter. But all the pipes in the back of mine are hot so I’m assuming it’s the first thermometer thing. Gotta be if the pipes are hot and still not cold right?
So I watched all kinds of videos and tried all different suggestions. In the end my driveway is at an angle and the fridge needed to be level. Ch could that first!
Thank you very very much will be highly recommending your channel to a lot of people
Wow...this is a cool video. My Norcold seems to be functioning fine everywhere except temperature is warm in freezer and hardly cool in the fridge part. Sound like a Thermistor?
Straight to the point, very informative video 👍😉
Finally found what I was looking for. Thank so much for this super helpful video.
Glad you found it useful!
GREAT DUDE wish more people think the way U do. Gonna check out your other videos. Again great work!
Just found this video I went out and took mine off the fridge and the frig started back to cooling....but I need to order the same thermistor you have...do you have a link to where to buy?
My fridge is a n811 model.
Amazon made me remove all of my links. I would look there.
ran our fridge in below zero temps and of course now it stopped working, I have read now that temps below 20 are a test for these rv fridges. Would anyone know if changing the thermistor would help? i was told the ammonia in those lines can freeze up.
Excellent subsystem description and t-shoot breakdown. Merci!
Telford N112 fridge is working on gas but not on electricity neither 230v or 12v, both heating coils are working as they get hot but not cooling inside. Any idea what could it be? Thank you
Will changing the thermistor also solve my refrigerator light problem? When the corner of the frig freezes light does not work.. remove the ice from the corner of the refrigerator and the light works. It’s a Norcold.
I have a buddy, whose Norcold fridge has quit operating. He stated that he smelled Ammonia coming from it, and thinks there may be a perforation of tubing.
I would assume that calls for a trip to an authorized repair center, as finding the leak, and refilling properly, needs an experienced repair person.
Yeah, if he smelled ammonia and now it's not cooling any more, it's toast.
Our 93 Southwind Norcold Fridge doesn't want to run on electric. Now we know what to check....thanks.
Thanks so much for for not having useless jabber.
Great info thank you
Glad to help!!!
Great Vid!! Felt for heat - Good. Fridge is cooling.
Glad to help! Thanks for the feedback!
I have a good solid flame from the LP gas connection but the fridge is not getting cold. Any advice?
Is the freezer getting cold?
@@TrailerDayz It got cold on the electric (shore power) then when we switched it over to LP it ran fine. I was worried over nothing :)
What if you can’t find the thermostat? It’s a 1986 fridge . Freezer works but bottom not cooling .
My fridges anomia tubes are hot on AC and it's making a weird noise but it's not cooling down either the fridge or freezer
You are good!!!
Very simple very easy to understand
Thanks for the feedback!
What if my rv WONT TURN OFF. We unplugged fuses, pressed the off button for 8+ seconds, flipped the switch outside the rv, and tried turning it off in different settings (lp, ac, au)
Thanks for the tips. I wish you had shown how to remove the thermistor though. One end is easy to unclip, while the other seems to be tucked in with the fridge light. I don't even know how to get the light cap off, LOL.
Yes. You need to take the cover off of the light. It comes off quite easy. You just squeeze it from the sides to unhook it from it's tabs.
Does this also work for Dometic brand? Mine just stopped working. Still has power. Fins were frosty, now everything is warm and melting :-(
Do you know what the AMP draw of the AC Coil heater would be ? I think mine may be bad
Great video for DIY folks! Thanks!
You're welcome!
If you don't have a ohm meter Just unplug your thermistor, your fridge will cool but with no limit. (keep getting colder) gets you by till you can replace it.
Good idea. Some units do go into a default mode when the thermistor is missing or bad. Some may behave differently than others.
I have a norcold N611, Frezzer is working aok, but bottom semi cold not warm but probably in the high 40s.. Tried on propane and electric. same thing. any advice
Thanks for a video that does not start with "See if there is 110v power to it" or "check your propane tank to see if it is empty"
My Norco 3163 fridge cools nicely on 120 and 12V. However, in the LP mode the flame is blue but it still does not cool the refrigerator....totally confused, any suggestions?
I have a very weird cooling issue on my norcold N611RT. Was working perfectly. Its a 2022 model and only started using in 2023. Suddenly its struggling to cool. Freezer just gets a bit cold. And the box down doesn't get cold at all. Fins are not cooling. Checked everything and everything working. Even tubes and heating stuff in the back are warm and hot. No codes. No flickering. Just no cooling. Checked thermister ohm its fine. Not really sure what's going on. One day it just cooled for half day then not cooling again
No faults. 120 working. Gas working. No amonia leak. Tried to leave it on both 120 and gas separately for long times. Same results. If anyone knows kindly help
My fridge stays on in AC mode for up to 48 hours and then the fridge shuts off . It cools when the lights indicates it is on I am hooked up to power to. Any suggestions ?
Thank you for this. My Fridge is working on A/C, I see the flame going, so now I need to ohm the gizmo inside the fridge. This video wuz big help.
Your a really good teacher!
My dometic was set to 110V AC and the coil cover was hot to the touch. However, the cooling fins inside fridge did not get cold even after 1 hour of run time. Any advice?
This was vwry helpful thank you
You're very welcome!
TrailerDayz Good day, thank you for this very educational repair video.