Is your Norcold refrigerator freezing everything all of a sudden? It means there is a fault somewhere. This article shows what to do about it.
Unlike regular refrigerator models, Norcold refrigerators are built with condenser fins and can operate on automated gas or electric power supply channels.
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Norcold Refrigerator Freezing Everything – What to Do
Do the following if your Norcold refrigerator keeps freezing everything:
1. Check the Thermistor
To check the thermistor of your Norcold refrigerator, open the refrigerator and remove the frame covering the light bulb. Slightly pull out the wire and trace it to the back wall or condenser fin of the refrigerator. On the condenser fin, locate the thermistor and detach it from the refrigerator, then bring it out.
After doing this, use a multimeter to do high and low-temperature checks to know if it is working. To test a thermistor with a multimeter at low temperature, turn the knob to the lowest range and place the probe of the multimeter on each other.
Put the thermistor in a cup of ice water. Then, plug in the probes of the multimeter to the thermistor, check the result displayed on the multimeter, and compare it to the stated ohms on the tech sheet of the refrigerator.
To test a thermistor at a high temperature, hold it in your palm. Turn the knob of the multimeter to the lowest and clamp the probes of the multimeter on each other to set it.
Plug in the multimeter to the thermistor, then check the reading on the thermistor. If the readings of the two temperatures are the same, it implies that the thermistor is faulty and needs a replacement. The variations in the readings validate its functionality.
Alternatively, adjust the position of the thermistor to the middle of the condenser fin and leave it for about 5 hours. If it still freezes everything, it implies that the thermistor is defective.
The condenser fin is usually on the back wall of the refrigerator. Shifting the thermistor up on the condenser fin will decrease the temperature and make the refrigerator warmer. On the other hand, bringing it down will increase the temperature of the refrigerator.
How to Replace the Thermistor
To replace the Norcold refrigerator thermistor, get one that suits your refrigerator model. Unplug the refrigerator from the socket. Open it and remove the light bulb frame, trace the wire, and disconnect the old thermistor from it. Attach the new one, position it correctly, rearrange the wire, then put back the bulb frame.
The thermistor helps to sense and monitor the degree of hotness or coldness in the refrigerator. It automatically lowers the temperature in the refrigerator by switching it off for a while and vice versa.
When it becomes faulty, the control board does not get any signal or temperature readings. As a result, the refrigerants keep working, making the unit too cold.
2. Adjust the Temperature Setting
To adjust the temperature setting of a Norcold refrigerator, locate the controls of the refrigerator, usually on the door.
Check for the “TEMP SET” button, and push it down. Figures 1-9 will appear on the center display screen. Press and hold it to set it to “3” or any other number, bearing in mind that 9 is the coldest temperature.
Setting the temperature at a mid-range will help to achieve a not too warm or not too cold ambiance. Therefore, the refrigerator will have a moderate temperature.
However, it is important to also check the other settings of the refrigerator such as the “MODE” setting.
Some Norcold refrigerator models have an automatic mode selection button which ensures the supply of energy to the refrigerator. Consequently, this setting can affect the temperature.
You can refer to the user’s manual for information on the right temperature for your refrigerator and how to set it correctly.
3. Clean the Air Vents
To clean the air vents of your refrigerator, unplug the refrigerator and open it. Unpack the items in it and disassemble the shelves.
Locate the air vents and push them open with your hand or flat screwdriver. Clean the air vents with a damp towel soaked in warm water and vinegar. Then, use a toothpick or a small stick to bring out any dirt that might be stuck in them.
The air vents ensure the free flow of air in and out of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. It also ensures that cold air in both compartments remains fresh. When the air vents are blocked, the circulation of air in the refrigerator will be obstructed. As a result, the items you put into it may begin to freeze immediately.
4. Check the Door Seal
To check the door seal, do a paper or dollar test. To do this, put the paper or dollar in between the door of the refrigerator. If the dollar or paper falls out, it implies that the door seal is faulty or leaking. Therefore, it needs urgent repair or replacement.
To repair it, open the refrigerator and position it in a way that you can maneuver the sides of the door. Get a flat screwdriver and carefully tuck in or tuck out the seal. However, this depends on the position of the seal.
To replace it, get a door seal that suits your door size. Unplug the refrigerator and offload it. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws on the hinges of the refrigerator, detach the door and place it aside on a flat surface.
Undo the screws on the door frame and remove them. take out the old seal gently and tuck in the new one around the door using a flat head screwdriver.
After doing this, place the frame on the door and drive in the screws. Fix it back to the hinges and tighten the screws. Then, close the refrigerator to know if the door seal sticks firmly to the refrigerator.
When you notice that the door seal of your refrigerator is worn out or torn, it is necessary to repair or replace it immediately.
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Important to Note
A Norcold refrigerator may be freezing everything because of the control board. Therefore, if you have adjusted the temperature and replaced the thermistor, check the control board.
The control board is the engine room or brain box of the refrigerator, so if it is malfunctioning it affects the evaporator and condenser, making them work without any control or regulation.
To fix this, open the back panel of the refrigerator, switch off the refrigerator and locate the control board. Carefully inspect the wires on it and check for burnt, disconnected, or damaged wires or nodes.
If there is any, use a soldering iron to fix it back. If there is none, it may be that the control board is damaged and needs a replacement.
To replace it, get the appropriate control panel for your Norcold refrigerator model. Disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Carefully detach the wires on it, then fix the wires to the nodes of the new one using a soldering iron.
Place it correctly then arrange the wires. Switch on the refrigerator and test-run it.
If you still have a working warranty with Norcold, you can contact them for expert advice, repairs, replacement, and inquiries about what to do.
Alternatively, you can engage the services of a professional refrigerator repairer or agent to help you out. We have expert technicians here to help you fix it.
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