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Old 12-13-2018, 03:57 PM   #1
DadsHemi
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Stupid Norcold Fridge Is Toast

Sitting here in Yuma Az and our fridge went out, had a tech come out and we seen yellow puddle under the back coil...... Not Kool 1 year 8 months old and bit the bullet.
 
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Old 12-13-2018, 05:31 PM   #2
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Don't give up hope, the cooling unit can be replaced for much less than the entire fridge. Our first cooling unit replacement was covered by our extended warranty, less a copay and a couple other minor charges. If you have an extended warranty, you should be good. Our second replacement, maybe six months after the first replacement, the unit was covered by Norcold, but they don't pay for labor for the replacement. When the second cooling unit was installed, I installed the ARP protection device, and we are still good with that cooling unit. Our first failure was a plugged system, probably caused form crystal buildup in the tubing. Our second failure was from a leak. I hope they told you to NOT turn the fridge on for any reason, because the ammonia in the system is extremely flammable. Both of these failures happened in 2015.
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:16 PM   #3
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A $100 dorm fridge can keep you going till you get it fixed.
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Old 12-14-2018, 05:02 AM   #4
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Original went bad after 1 year, replaced with extended warranty with a articold cooling unit. works fine over 4 years now 24/7. Full timers here.
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Old 12-14-2018, 05:26 AM   #5
Dave W
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This one of the Amish cooling unit sellers:https://rvcoolingunit.com/1200LR-Nor...sh-P13259.aspx


They are about 1000- to 1200 bucks vs 3-4000+ for a new one (that too will die )
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Old 12-14-2018, 07:02 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler View Post
A $100 dorm fridge can keep you going till you get it fixed.
I brought one with us and I’m glad I did.
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Old 12-14-2018, 07:05 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rohrmann View Post
Don't give up hope, the cooling unit can be replaced for much less than the entire fridge. Our first cooling unit replacement was covered by our extended warranty, less a copay and a couple other minor charges. If you have an extended warranty, you should be good. Our second replacement, maybe six months after the first replacement, the unit was covered by Norcold, but they don't pay for labor for the replacement. When the second cooling unit was installed, I installed the ARP protection device, and we are still good with that cooling unit. Our first failure was a plugged system, probably caused form crystal buildup in the tubing. Our second failure was from a leak. I hope they told you to NOT turn the fridge on for any reason, because the ammonia in the system is extremely flammable. Both of these failures happened in 2015.
Thanks, I did have the good Sam extended warranty, the tech said to go ahead and call Norcold and find out we’re an athorized Dealer in the area we will be staying in Ca.
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Old 12-14-2018, 07:33 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave W View Post
This one of the Amish cooling unit sellers:https://rvcoolingunit.com/1200LR-Nor...sh-P13259.aspx


They are about 1000- to 1200 bucks vs 3-4000+ for a new one (that too will die )
Our cooling units failed in both our 06 3400 and this 13 3402. We are long timers and the units are never off except for defrosting/cleaning. We replaced them with the above mentioned Amish units and never another problem.
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Old 12-14-2018, 10:45 AM   #9
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You said you have a 1 & 1/2 year old RV. As I understand it, Norcold warranties the refer for 3 years. It would seem they would be a good place to start.

https://www.thetford.com/wp-content/uploads/.../Gas-Absorption-Refrigerator-3yr.pdf
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Old 12-14-2018, 02:18 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
You said you have a 1 & 1/2 year old RV. As I understand it, Norcold warranties the refer for 3 years. It would seem they would be a good place to start


https://www.thetford.com/wp-content/uploads/.../Gas-Absorption-Refrigerator-3yr.pdf
My Norcold warranty says 1yr

http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...1&d=1544822158
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Old 12-14-2018, 03:45 PM   #11
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Been there , done that over the course of 2 RV's. Finally when this one went out, I researched and decided to just put in a residential unit since we really don't boon dock any more and couldn't be happier. Wish I had done it 5 years ago! We had the 4 door Norcold in our Montana and found a french door Samsung that fit perfectly in that spot. Good luck.
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Old 12-14-2018, 05:34 PM   #12
Carl n Susan
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Originally Posted by DadsHemi View Post
My Norcold warranty says 1yr
Damn that sucks. It seems Thetford changed the warranty after 2009. Google shows 3 years but if you dig into the Thetford web site, the current warranty (well hidden) has been reduced to 1 year.
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Old 12-14-2018, 06:32 PM   #13
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guess im glad I got the extended warranty. the dang fridge in my 3920 I bet is expensive !!! its huge ! good luck. where in California ? Theres a CW near me, well 2 actually
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Old 12-14-2018, 06:46 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Oldblue View Post
Been there , done that over the course of 2 RV's. Finally when this one went out, I researched and decided to just put in a residential unit since we really don't boon dock any more and couldn't be happier. Wish I had done it 5 years ago! We had the 4 door Norcold in our Montana and found a french door Samsung that fit perfectly in that spot. Good luck.
Agree. Get rid of the "Never Cold" and put in a residential.
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Old 12-14-2018, 08:45 PM   #15
DadsHemi
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Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
Damn that sucks. It seems Thetford changed the warranty after 2009. Google shows 3 years but if you dig into the Thetford web site, the current warranty (well hidden) has been reduced to 1 year.

I called Norcold just to make sure and it’s 1yr, they said it was around that 2009 when they changed.
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Old 12-14-2018, 08:49 PM   #16
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guess im glad I got the extended warranty. the dang fridge in my 3920 I bet is expensive !!! its huge ! good luck. where in California ? Theres a CW near me, well 2 actually
I’m super glad I did, I was on the fence but I had this feeling I would have issues with the fridge.

We will be in San Dimas.
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Old 12-14-2018, 10:46 PM   #17
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I’m super glad I did, I was on the fence but I had this feeling I would have issues with the fridge.

We will be in San Dimas.
You are north of me. Not sure what’s up there. But I’m sure you will find something. As soon as I looked for a replacement cost for the fridge I bought the extended warranty. It will cover my washer and dryer too. Just in case.
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Old 12-15-2018, 08:07 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by DadsHemi View Post
Sitting here in Yuma Az and our fridge went out, had a tech come out and we seen yellow puddle under the back coil...... Not Kool 1 year 8 months old and bit the bullet.
I have a 2019 new Montana and my refrigerator didn't work from the getgo and has been at the dealer for 3 weeks to be replaced what a piece of crap, new trailer and can't even use it. I was going to get a Residential Refer but everyone told me not to do it now I wish I would have.
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Old 12-15-2018, 03:08 PM   #19
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Note..It is nearly always if not always, the cooling unit that fails and once you replace it with a quality Amish unit you will most likely not have another issue.
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Old 12-15-2018, 03:22 PM   #20
DadsHemi
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I have a 2019 new Montana and my refrigerator didn't work from the getgo and has been at the dealer for 3 weeks to be replaced what a piece of crap, new trailer and can't even use it. I was going to get a Residential Refer but everyone told me not to do it now I wish I would have.
Sense I purchased extended warranty I’ll just were it out.
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