The Norcold N8X is one of the most efficient refrigerators for motorhomes. It is designed to use less electricity while providing the best performance.
The Norcold N8X is among the most successful products by Norcold. It is loved for its amazing performance and durability.
However, like any appliance, it is not immune from problems, and you may come across a few problems while using it. Many users have reported that it stops cooling sometimes.
A faulty refrigerator can be a major inconvenience on a road trip, especially if you are on a long trip. Replacing your RV fridge can be costly, but knowing how to repair it before it breaks down can save you money and stress.
Norcold N8X is Not Cooling
Here are some troubleshooting tips to try if your Norcold N8X stops cooling.
1. Faulty Power Outlet
Sometimes RV outlets stop working for seemingly no reason. Luckily, the problem can be easily fixed without calling an electrician. Check your outlets for GFCIs and make sure they are working properly.
These outlets only work when they are powered with 120 volts. If you are using battery power, check the connections to ensure you’re not shorting anything out.
Firstly, check that the outlets are working properly. In case of a faulty outlet, make sure that you have a spare outlet to replace it. You might have to plug the refrigerator into other sockets to identify the culprit.
Alternatively, you can also try checking the voltage with a voltmeter to check the current coming into the outlet. If the voltage and current levels are fine, it indicates a problem with the refrigerator.
2. Wiring or Tripped Circuit Breaker
Another reason your Norcold fridge isn’t working may be a tripped circuit breaker. These circuit breakers are designed to shut off the electricity with too much electrical current.
This can happen when too many appliances are operating, or the RV is too large for its circuits. In addition, a tripped circuit breaker could be caused by a short circuit inside the appliance. Resetting the breaker will likely fix the problem.
3. Blown-Out Fuse
If the Norcold fridge doesn’t work in an RV, you may have a blown fuse. For this purpose, you will need to locate the fuse and check it. If it appears blackened, get it replaced to fix the problem.
4. Door Seal
Next, you should check the door seal of the refrigerator. The seal is supposed to prevent cold air from leaking out, but the rubber may become damaged over time.
Moreover, a layer of grime can prevent the seal from keeping the door closed properly. If the seal is not functioning properly, cold air will leak out of the refrigerator. You can avoid this by checking the seal and replacing it.
5. Clogged or frosted coils
If your Norcold N8X refrigerator is not cooling properly, it may have a few different causes. First, your fridge’s evaporator coils may have too much frost on them.
This is a critical component, and frost on it can cause cooling problems in your fridge. If you have a hairdryer, you can remove the frost from the coils.
The coils can be frozen, preventing the refrigeration system from cooling properly. However, make sure to turn off the power before cleaning the coils. Use a vacuum brush to remove dirt. You can also use a rag and water to clean the coils.
6. Thermistor
A defective thermistor is another reason your Norcold N8X refrigerator might not be cooling. The thermistor is the part of your fridge that measures the temperature and transmits the data to the thermostat.
When the thermistor is damaged, it will not transmit the correct information to the thermostat and will stop the flow of cool air in your fridge. Thermistors are susceptible to damage due to their design. Replacing the thermistor will resolve the issue.
7. Generator Under Load
If your Norcold N8X refrigerator does not cool under load, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
One of them is to check the generator. If you are using a generator to power your refrigerator, the problem likely stems from an overloaded generator, as it is responsible for generating electricity.
If this happens, you need to understand how to fix the problem. You can start by checking the power output of your appliances. In these cases, you can either upgrade your power source or use more power-efficient appliances.
You can also purchase a power strip or surge protector to protect your appliances from overload.
If you’re using a portable generator, be sure to check your gas tank. If it’s less than the specified level, it won’t function properly. You might also need to replace your generator in case it’s not working properly.
8. Insufficient Coolant
If your RV fridge is not cooling, check if it has enough coolant. If the level is low, you may have a seized-up cooling unit that requires replacement. If that’s the case, add more coolant to restore the original functionality of your refrigerator.
If your Norcold N811 RV refrigerator is not cooling properly and you’ve tried the aforementioned fixes, you should contact a qualified repair person for assistance. They will be able to diagnose the problem and determine if the cooling unit needs to be replaced.
The Bottom Line
The Norcold N8X is among the top RV refrigerators because of its energy efficiency and durability. Although some cooling problems are associated with these units, you can follow the above-mentioned steps to counter any cooling-related issues that you might face with Norcold N8X!
I plugged my motorhome to 30 amp. Turned on fridge n8x. Checked it in the morning and fridge was 20 deg and freezer zero. I checked later that afternoon and it warmed up to 50 fridge and 40 freezer. Any ideas what happened. It did get down to 30 deg last night outside