N180.3

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Will Norcold® reimburse me for a recall repair paid for out of pocket?

All recall service parts must be shipped to and installed by your local service center. For your local service center to obtain recall parts, they will need to contact Norcold^® directly, report the required diagnostic information, therefore, there would be no reason for reimbursement.

Can a consumer have a High Temperature Sensor sent directly to them for self-install?

No, as the Norcold® High Temperature Sensor (HTS Kit) is a national safety recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Norcold® is unable to send parts directly to consumers. All parts must be shipped to and installed by a trained service technician; you can find your local Norcold® Service Center here.

Does Norcold® pay for mobile service call fees?

No, the consumer is responsible for the service call fee as it is a convenience.

What is the warranty for my refrigerator?

Norcold® refrigerators come with a one year warranty from date of installation or date of delivery, whichever applies. Please see our warranty statement here for more details: https://norcold.com/warranty-information/

Can I connect my AC/DC refrigerator to a battery charger or converter?

Yes you can, however, most Norcold® refrigerators require a dedicated power source. The power should not be shared with any other appliances.

Troubleshooting

My refrigerator stopped operating. Will a removal of the High Temperature Sensor make the refrigerator work?

Your refrigerator can stop operating for several reasons. Norcold^® recommends contacting your local service center to have your refrigerator properly diagnosed. Bypassing, altering, or modifying any of the electrical components of your refrigerator, including the HTS system, can limit or remove safety aspects of your refrigerator and should NOT be done under any circumstances.

What does it mean if I have a flashing red light on the High Temperature Sensor?

• If slow flashing (1 flash per second): Low DC power.
• If fast flashing (2-3 flashes per second): There’s a break in thermistor wire.

To have this flashing cleared, you will need to take your unit into your local service center. This is not something that is serviceable by the consumer, for safety and liability reasons.

What does it mean if I have a solid red light on the High Temperature Sensor?

A solid red light means the High Temperature Sensor (HTS Kit) has tripped. Please turn off the refrigerator and unplug from the 110V outlet. For proper diagnostics, contact your local Norcold® service center for safety and liability purposes.

What if my refrigerator is not cooling property?

This does NOT mean your refrigerator is under recall. Please see models listed under recall to determine if you are within the recall ranges. If you are unsure, please contact productcompliance@thetford.com

Why doesn't my refrigerator work when I push the on/off button?

Ensure the button is being held in long enough to turn the unit on or off. Some Norcold® units require the button to be depressed for 3-5 seconds in order to turn off or on.

Why doesn't my refrigerator perform well on 120V AC?

You may have it on too low of a setting. The warmer it is outside, the higher the setting on the refrigerator will need to be maintain the proper cooling temperature. Norcold® refrigerators require a minimum of 115V on both sides of the fuse to perform as expected on AC. If that is confirmed and the unit is still not cooling well on AC, it should be taken to a local Norcold® dealer for further diagnosis.

What is causing the door alarm to continue to sound off?

Door is open longer than 2 minutes. There can be other causes, door sagging, bad door switch and warped door.

My refrigerator shows a fault code. What should I do?

Please see the error code list for your specific fridge model.

At my travel destination, my refrigerator does not operate very well. What could be the problem?

For gas absorption, it is important to ensure the unit is completely level. It cannot exceed 3 degrees side to side or 6 degrees front to back. Another area to check is the AC and ensure it is 30 amp service or greater.

Where can I find what kind of model my refrigerator is?

On gas absorption models, the tag is inside the fridge, right hand side of the cabinet above the top shelf. DC and AC/DC models, the tag is inside the fridge, left hand side of the cabinet above the top shelf. N2175 models it is on the left hand side of the cabinet behind the crisper drawer near the fridge bottom.

Do I need cold weather kits?

For gas absorption, a cold weather kit must be used for winter operation. This will allow the refrigerator to run in temperatures from 32 degrees F down to 0 degrees F.

What should I do if I have a warranty claim?

For parts and/or service – including those under warranty – contact a local Thetford®/Norcold® Authorized Service Center (ASC) or an RV Dealer. Under the Warranty Program, Thetford®/Norcold® replaces or repairs toilets and/or parts, and pays the Authorized Dealer for warranty labor.

Warranty Information

How to

How level must my AC/LP refrigerator be?

This refrigerator can be no more off level than 6 degrees side to side or 3 degrees front to back.

How should I connect my DC refrigerator?

Every new Norcold® comes with a installation and owners manual. Read and follow installation manual for your particular refrigerator model. Everything you need to know about what is required is contained within this document.

Why doesn't my refrigerator work on 12V when the car engine is not running?

This would apply only to the N3100 and the N4100 model refrigerators. The DC power source for these units is linked directly to the engine battery of the vehicle.

Which thermostat setting is the coldest?

Setting 5 is the coldest setting, setting 1 is the warmest.

Cleaning and maintenance

Do the chimney and burner need cleaning?

Yes, it is recommended as part of your annual maintenance to ensure proper operation on LP gas absorption refrigerators.

My refrigerator smells, how can I clean it?

Place a bowl containing water and pure vanilla extract inside the refrigerator to absorb odors. Charcoal, wet newspapers, or baking soda can also be used in the refrigerator to mitigate odors. Harsh household cleaners should never be used as they can damage or discolor the lining of the refrigerator.

Is it okay to defrost my refrigerator/freezer using a hair dryer, heat gun, or boiling water?

No, using a heat gun, hair dryer or boiling water will damage the interior of the freezer. Best method is to turn refrigerator off, open doors, put towels down and allow frost to melt. Completely dry unit once is defrosted.

What if my freezer is producing frost/condensation?

This is an issue not related to the recall, and we do not provide technical advice to consumers due to safety and liability reasons. We would recommend getting this diagnosed at a Norcold® Authorized Service Center.

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