Norcold Refrigerator is Notcold

What do you do when you realize your Norcold refrigerator is not working the day before you plan to leave for the first trip of the season?  After a check of fault codes and a bit of troubleshooting, it appears it is the main control board that has gone bad.  That will take more than a week to get fixed!   Is it too much to expect that a refrigerator lasts more than a couple of years???

We did not want to cancel our plans so we took out the Euro Chair and put in our daughter's mini fridge that she uses in the college dorm.  We have it strapped in are are protecting the RV wall with a pool noddle.  Not ideal, but maybe it will will meet our needs until we return and get the Norcold fixed.

Has anyone ever had to change the main power control board?

JJ

Did you already try the hard reset procedure?

https://thenorcoldguy.com/blog/norcold-refrigerator-in-lockout-mode-do-you-need-to-reset-your-power-board-/

Did you already try the hard reset procedure?

https://thenorcoldguy.com/blog/norcold-refrigerator-in-lockout-mode-do-you-need-to-reset-your-power-board-/

Thanks for the suggestion, I wish it were that easy of a fix.  It appears I have a different control board (Norcold Power Board 639593 - fits the Polar N7, N8, N10 models).  The fault code says it is a communication issue with the control panel (user interface). 

JJ

Looks like multiple fuses  in this picture? If you can access the controller by removing the lower refrigerator vent cover check the fuses.

https://pantherrvproducts.com/norcold-639593-oem-rv-refrigerator-rear-lower-circuit-control-board/

Multiple fuses  in this picture? Maybe try unplugging and reseating the wire harness connectors?

https://pantherrvproducts.com/norcold-639593-oem-rv-refrigerator-rear-lower-circuit-control-board/

That is the control module that my Norcold has.  I saw 3 fuses and they all checked good. 

Thanks again,

JJ

Try unplugging and reseating the 2 wire harness connectors before calling it a day. It could be a loose or corroded crimp pin.

Try unplugging and reseating the 2 wire harness connectors before calling it a day. It could be a loose or corroded crimp pin.

Good idea.  I did remove and reinserted the harness at the control board.  I have not figured out how to get to the harness at the front panel touchpad yet.  It appears that might be a bigger job to get access to.

Thanks again for the excellent suggestions.

JJ

Go to Ford's Refrigeration, they know everything about Norcold. They have on line repair videos and have a modern repair facility in Benton, KY. They train repair technicians across the country. You can give them a call and they can tell you where you can find a repair shop close to you. They will give you instructions on repairs over the phone.

Go to Ford's Refrigeration, they know everything about Norcold. They have on line repair videos and have a modern repair facility in Benton, KY. They train repair technicians across the country. You can give them a call and they can tell you where you can find a repair shop close to you. They will give you instructions on repairs over the phone.

Thank you for the lead!  Often the most important step in getting an issue fixed is knowing who to contact for help.  I will give them a call when we get back from our short trip.  If all else fails, it may give us a reason to make a trip to Kentucky.

JJ

I hope it’s an easy fix.  I commend you on saving your trip. It may not be optimum but it’s a great work around and beats a cooler and ice .

We have returned from our trip.  The little dorm refrigerator worked great as a backup.  Before we left, I ordered the replacement main control module for the Norcold refrigerator.  It arrived in the mail yesterday and I installed it today . . . it was an easy install.  We have a cold Norcold again! 

Not sure what caused the original control module to fail.  I hope this one lasts a lot longer.  Glad it did not happen in the middle of a trip.  Sure wish the engineers would design more robust electronics.

Thanks again for all the good advice.

JJ