Norcold double door fridge not getting cold enough

**Ron3rd** · 09-17-2022, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by huntindog

The fuse blowing is the first symptom of failng fans. That is what mine did. It will blow somtimes when one fan fails. When they both fail, it will blow all the time.

Thanks huntingdog. I'm inclined to agree with you. Can you supply the info on the fans you used?

And how the heck did you get to the two top fans?

**huntindog** · 09-17-2022, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Ron3rd

Thanks huntingdog. I'm inclined to agree with you. Can you supply the info on the fans you used?

And how the heck did you get to the two top fans?

You have to pull the fridge. It is not as hard as it looks. I had to remove the island to make room.
I actually have mismatched fans. I ordered a pair, then dropped one of them breaking it. With no time to order another, I went to best Buy and got a similar one. You are looking for some degree of water resistance, that means the bearings are sealed. Also the better fans will state how many hours they are rated to last. I opted for 50,000 hours. Other than that, go by price.
IIRC, they were 5" fans

**Ron3rd** · 09-17-2022, 10:45 AM

Got it. Thanks.

For now, I might get one of those aftermarket kits that attach to the upper vent. Not sure if I have time to pull the fridge.

**Ron3rd** · 09-17-2022, 04:18 PM

OK, I've determined the fans work. I pulled the small fan from the bottom and connected to a 9V batter and it works. So the fans are not getting power. The 2 fuses in the black box Chris posted are both good. So I need to find out where the power for the 3 external fans come from and if there's another fuse I'm not seeing.

**powerscol** · 09-17-2022, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Ron3rd

OK, I've determined the fans work. I pulled the small fan from the bottom and connected to a 9V batter and it works. So the fans are not getting power. The 2 fuses in the black box Chris posted are both good. So I need to find out where the power for the 3 external fans come from and if there's another fuse I'm not seeing.

You may have a relay between the limit switch attached to the end of the top fins (back of fridge) and the fans. Also verify the limit switch works. You can jump across it to verify the relay - if you have one works

**Ron3rd** · 09-17-2022, 04:52 PM

Thanks, I downloaded the service manual and it's got a lot more info. I'll check into that tomorrow.

**CoChris** · 09-17-2022, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Ron3rd

OK, I've determined the fans work. I pulled the small fan from the bottom and connected to a 9V batter and it works. So the fans are not getting power. The 2 fuses in the black box Chris posted are both good. So I need to find out where the power for the 3 external fans come from and if there's another fuse I'm not seeing.

Again, check the thermal switch on the left end of the condenser at the top of the frige. If the switch is open, the fans will not get any power. There is no "other fuse" that protect the fans on our Norcold 2118. Does the front control panel light up and display information? If so, the 12V fuse is good.

Chris

**Ron3rd** · 09-17-2022, 08:52 PM

Chris, that's where I'm going at this point. I'll check it in the morning. Going by the schematic that could very well be the answer.

Ron

**Ron3rd** · 09-18-2022, 09:59 AM

Chris, they way the thermal switch is situated I can barely see the side of it but can't get to it to jump it.

**Ron3rd** · 09-18-2022, 10:32 AM

OK, got it figured out. I was able to bend the baffle in to get to the wires on the thermo switch, jumped the wires and the fans come on. I'll replace the switch then bend the baffle back out to it's original position. Thanks for putting on the right trail....