4 Ways To Fix Norcold N821 Not Cooling Issue

Introduction

Your RV refrigerator is one of those dependable electrical appliances that we are totally reliant on and are typically trouble-free. It is particularly true with the Norcold N821, renowned for its power efficiency and reliability.

It is an RV-specific model that innovatively utilizes lower voltage DC electricity and mains strength AC to provide every RV enthusiast with maximum flexibility.

However, even these ultra-reliable Norcold N821 refrigerators can sometimes develop cooling issues, which can really ruin your RV adventure. So here is a troubleshooting guide to get your N821 refrigerator back up and running and back to keeping your food fresh.

Norcold N821 Not Cooling

What to Try First

When disaster strikes, your first port of call should be to assess the situation. Crucially, you should first contemplate if there were any obvious reasons that your Norcols N821 is not cooling sufficiently.

To function optimally, the refrigerator requires an airtight seal to allow the internal cooling unit to chill the insulated compartment. Therefore, the most likely cause for insufficient cooling is caused by an obstructed door, compromising the essential seal.

It is the most simple and, by extension, the most overlooked cause. To test this, the best method is to remove everything your Norcold, close the door, and wait around an hour.

Then, if you notice it is significantly colder, you have identified the cause. So make sure to pack your fridge as well as possible to prevent it from popping open when you are not looking.

1. Error Codes

Although the Norcold is a highly reliable and relatively simple appliance, it can sometimes get overwhelmed. For example, if the motherboard is overloaded, it can quickly start to trip error codes as a precaution.

It will not always have a root cause and simply be a momentary issue that naturally resolves itself.

The display system is primitive and necessary due to Norcold’s economic power usage. The display unit can only highlight a fraction of potential issues, all of which can be viewed in the online manual – Service Manual Norcold N821.

The best course of action is to reset the entire system and observe if repeat error codes persist. It is the most effective means of identifying the course of the cooling issue.

However, if your Norcold N812 is still not cooling appropriately and there are no fault codes, there may be some other issues to consider.

2. Door Seal

The rubber seal or gasket on the refrigerator door is a vital component. If it is compromised, it prevents an air-tight seal required for refrigerators to cool food properly.

In addition, it will cause the compressor to work overtime to try and cool the continually escaping air, rendering it useless.

There can be several reasons for the door seal to function incorrectly. These can include damage or disintegration to the rubber, door hinge misalignment, and grime buildup.

Each has straightforward solutions requiring a replacement seal, hinge adjustment, or a simple deep clean.

The quickest and most effective way to test the door seal is to get a strip of paper or a banknote and place it in the door as you close it. If the note or paper is stuck, the seal functions correctly.

However, if the door cannot secure it, then you have found the source of your cooling problem.

3. Air Circulation

RV refrigerators like the Nordcold N821 are designed to be compact and power efficient. Often, this can lead to their surrounding areas being used as additional storage space to maximize the use of the RV’s area.

However, this can cause issues with the cooling mechanism. Most modern refrigerators require space to allow the system’s refrigerant to emanate heat removed from the unit.

If the coils and compressor are insulated with your belongings, they will not be able to remove hot air and will interrupt the vital functions of the Norcold N821.

To Resolve this issue, simply remove all unnecessary items from around the refrigerator and allow a few hours to correct the internal temperature.

4. Thermistor

The Norcold N821 uses an internal thermistor, which is essentially a temperature sensor. It is used to relay information back to the control system. The sensor allows the control center to dictate the precise electrical allocation for the cooling system.

It is a vital component to ensure the refrigerator maintains its preset temperature regardless in spite of the changing external conditions.

Often the source of the malfunctioning sensor is due to grime build-up rather than an electrical issue. In this case, you often cannot read an error code on your display, even though it is causing the cooling problem.

The best solution, in this case, is to locate the sensor using the owner’s manual and gently clean the sensor and the surrounding area. Be sure to unplug the device before cleaning and ensure the site has thoroughly dried before you turn it back on to check the results.

There are some practices to avoid to ensure the thermistor last longer. Never put hot food into the fridge as it can often confuse the thermistor causing it to overload the cooling system. Thermistors will ware out eventually so it is essential to treat it appropriately.

Conclusion

After reading this guide, you will feel far better equipped to save an RV adventure from disaster. Even the renowned Norcold N821 can develop some irritation.

However, it is an appliance built to last. It is designed to be a robust RV appliance, which can be repaired quickly, with widely available replacement parts. For more technical electrical issues it is always recommended that you use an experienced technician.

However, many of the repairs can be performed at home if you follow the user manual’s instructions. So don’t worry, apply what you have learned and you will be back on the road in no time.