Norcold N611 refrigerator cooling issue

[KieraKiwi]

Our 2003 Jayco Kiwi 23b has a Norcold refrigerator (model N611) with a cooling issue we are researching. When we purchased the camper a few months ago the refrigerator & freezer seemed to be cooling fine and both worked properly two weeks ago on our maiden camping voyage. This weekend we went back out again and although things seemed to be working properly when we headed out and through the first day (Friday), the refrigerator lost cooling on Saturday. Freezer was cooling however.

When we purchased the Kiwi used a couple months ago previous owner mentioned they were having a cooling issue and was advised to try removing the refrigerator and tipping it upside down but due to health issues they were not able to perform this procedure themselves and worked around the issue. I've seen mention of this process on the internet and was wondering if anyone has done this, what all is involved, and did it work for you?



Thank you!

[John LLRV]

Ok.. Freezer working, Fridge not, is a bad thermistor. 90% of your camper dealers/stores will have these on hand. $25 part.

If you want to take it out and turn it upside down, you can. This procedure is if the entire thing is not cooling, and simply removes the possibility of any air bubbles in the ammonia cooling system.

[KieraKiwi]

Thank you for responding. We took the unit out and turned it upside down for a day and are now in the wait and see process as we wait for it to cool down. Someone told me that if we disconnected the thermistor the entire unit would essentially be a freezer so if our thermistor was bad would I have a freezing issue with the refrigerator or a warming issue? What is the job of the thermistor? Thanks!

Also, does anyone know the life expectancy of an ammonia cooling system refrigerator? Thanks!

[John LLRV]

Thermistor is to regulate the temp in the fridge, not the freezer. Life expectancy is.. well.. a crap shoot. Some can last for 15 years, some 15 days.

[BunkintheRear]

I had a similar issue with my fridge and freezer working at pick up and a first time out but fridge stopped cooling and freezer OK on subsequent trips. Turns out the fridge vent in the roof was not cut out. Jayco covered work under warranty.