Norcold Refrigerator Trouble Shooting

gheine

Hello! We have a 2018 Boondock 320S & have been consistently struggling with igniting our Norcold refrigerator. Apologies if this has been discussed before but I’m finding the threads about leveling the camper which we have done but can’t seem to find tips on how to resolve the issue. It often times takes 20-30 minutes of holding And releasing the spark button before we can light the refrigerator. 

TIA for any tips! 

pthomas745

There are lots of threads about replacing various parts ( search for thermocouple for more than you ever wanted to know about your fridge).

And this general thread that might help (which you might have already found.)

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6733/2018-norcold-fridge-won-t-start-on-propane/p1

And, a few dozen more threads if you want to try them:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&biw=1920&bih=1098&sxsrf=ALeKk000gakZS5NacCIxl7323sqcW1KTMA:1593184623961&ei=bxH2XuCWOoy0tQaZp4yQCw&q=norcold+won't+start++site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=norcold+won't+start++site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoECAAQR1DSKViwLmC6N2gAcAF4AIABkwGIAaoEkgEDMC40mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpeg&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwigisqc45_qAhUMWs0KHZkTA7I4ChDh1QMICw&uact=5

MuttonChops

@gheine;
See my April 2018 Post in the 2018 Norcold fridge won't start on propane thread referenced by @pthomas745

Sequence still works well on my 2018 Fridge.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6733/2018-norcold-fridge-won-t-start-on-propane/p1

gheine

Thank you!! Appreciate the help. 

Bayliss

@gheine, you do not indicate which specific Norcold model you have, but you might also want to take a look at the "User Manuals/PDF Files/Videos & Resources" folder over on the left side of the forum pages.

PNWtabber

I also have a 2018 320S Boondock and have never been able to get it to work on propane.  I was hoping @MuttonChops' tips would be the clue, but now the igniter does not seem to be working, no movement of the ignition needle when I press the "spark button."

The manual that was included with my T@B suggests I have a 323 model Norcold 3-way refrigerator, although the diagrams in the manual do not look like my refrigerator.  Anyway, on page 12 of the manual, it has instructions for "Remove and clean the burner orifice" but has a notice that "a dealer or Norcold authorized service center must do this procedure."  Does this mean that I am dead-ended on trouble-shooting the refrigerator and must take the trailer to a NuCamp dealer to fix it?

Other ideas????

rcuomo

You should have a model N180.3. I’ll post the manual as soon as I find it. Generally the propane line needs to be ‘purged’ especially if it hasn’t been used in awhile. Lighting the cooktop usually works. Then if you follow the procedure in the manual it should eventually light.

rcuomo

Here’s the manual

rcuomo

Here’s the installation manual for reference. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks @rcuomo.  I saved those manuals in the Owners Manual category!

PNWtabber

@rcuomo -- OK, I went out to the trailer and found the manufacturer's sticker.  You are correct, Model number is N180.3 -- I wonder why I have the manual for Models 323 and N260.3????

While out there, I decided to try getting it to start on propane one more time (and yes I had already purged the propane line by lighting the stove).  After about 5 clicks of the spark button, the needle DID move into the green, but after I released the propane "button" the needle slowly drifted back to the white area.  I tried this twice with the same result.

{Update:  I will double-check the trailer's leveling.  Also I see in the owner's manual it says to keep the gas button depressed for 5 seconds after the needle moves into green.  Will try again in a bit.}

rcuomo

Try holding it for more than a minute after it starts to move. The needle moves very slowly. Sometimes I’ve held it for a couple of minutes before it stabilizes but if it moves it has ignited👍🏻

gyamane

I have the same year and model tab and also have problems lighting the fridge propane. I usually hold down the knob and keep pushing the igniter until the needle goes to green but last trip I was having the usual hard time and at some point I released the propane button and the needle went to green so I had been trying to light it when it was already lit but the needle didn't move to green until after I released the propane button. Very frustrating. 

grassgd

I have the N180.3 in my 320s and I have success getting it to light and stay in the green as long as I don't turn the temp knob too high.  Once running in the green, if I turn it colder it goes out.

FuzzyYanni

It's possible that your LP to oxygen ratio is too high, which means:
1- your air intake is blocked up

2- burner orifice is corroded in needs replacing or cleaning

3- your propane regulator may need replacement

Not sure what the right order to tackle these in would be, but if you've never cleaned the burner orifice or replaced it, that's probably a good place to start...