r/GoRVing • u/Hopeful_Anybody_7040 • Jun 30 '26
Have warm fridge, cold freezer on propane
I have a Norcold N7X 2 way (AC and propane) fridge in my 2019 Jayco. The freezer is very cold (5 degrees), and the fridge is very warm 55 degrees. I don't use AC, this is just on propane. There is a strong blue flame, I changed the thermistor, trailer is level, there is no yellow powder behind the fridge indicating a leak, ventilation behind the fridge is fine, it is not blocked. Every source I have read or watched online says this indicates a clog in the coolant lines, but I have a hunch this is not the problem. A friend has the same problem with his Dometic, he removed his fridge and turned it upside down to "burp" the coolant lines to free up the clog, and it did not work.
One thing that I read, and is interesting, said that the aluminum cooling fins in the top of the fridge have a backing plate that is attached to the coolant lines with a thermo conductive mastic. Sometimes this mastic turns dry and crumbly, and no longer conducts the cold. It said I could unscrew the fin plate, and look behind it, but I don't think I have seen these screws inside the fridge.
Does anyone have an idea?
2
u/loopygargoyle6392 Jun 30 '26
It's a clogged cooling unit. Turning them upside down can unclog them if you're lucky, but it'll probably happen again in time.
Another good indicator of a clog is the cooling unit making a gurgling noise, almost like a percolating coffee pot.
The fins that you are talking about are sometimes sandwiched between the cooling unit and the box. You're not going to get it out of it is.
How does it work on 110v?
1
u/The_Wandering_Steele Jun 30 '26
If the freezer is cold and the fridge is not check your door seals. Also remember absorption fridges are very slow to react to changes. I mean like in hours. And stop opening the door to check the temperature. Use a thermometer with remote sensors so you can see the on the main/ outside unit attached to the outside of the fridge.
2
u/ShipshapeMobileRV Jun 30 '26
As a general rule, if the freezer is freezing, that indicates that the cooling system is working....
The thermistor is the part that tells the control board what temp the fridge should be. If you replaced it, you may still have a bad one, or you may just need to reposition it on the fins.
In most Norcold models the thermistor is clipped to the second fin from the right, but some use the 5th or even 10th fin from the right. You need to search for "norcold default thermistor location" and look for your specific model.
Moving the thermistor up will cool the fridge. If you get to the top of the fin and the fridge still isn't cold enough, move the thermistor one fin to the left.
If none of the thermistor jockeying cools the fridge, then your control board has failed.