RB215LABP Samsung Refrigerator - Quit working then started again 24 hours later?

[escar]

Model Number

RB215LABP

Brand

Samsung

Age

More than 10 years

Hello,

A few days ago I noticed the refrigerator had condensation on a lot of things, like when you leave the door open too long. No pooling or anything. I thought the gasket finally needed replacing, it has been cracked awhile. The temperature read 34 so I assumed all was good and went online looking for the gasket, which was fruitless. Everything in the freezer was still completely frozen.

Yesterday it quit working. Refrigerator and freezer. I unplugged it to see if it just needed to be reset, and when I plugged it back in it read the correct temperature, 27 (F) and 49 (R). I could still hear it doing something, but it's a relatively quiet refrigerator overall.

Took the back off to clean the coils. They were due to be cleaned, but not super clogged. Before/after also attached just in case. I got online to try and find out what was going on, and came across an old thread on here that showed how to use the self diagnostic feature. It looks like it returned the following, but photo attached in case I read it or did it wrong:

R-defrost heater error
F-defrost heater error
U-art telecom error

About an hour ago, it turned back on. The fridge is back to 34 and the freezer is down to 11 and continuing to go down.

I'm mostly looking for whether this is an intermittent issue that indicates something is failing and to go get another refrigerator, or an automatic function of the defrost heater or something? It doesn't look like the parts for this model in general are all that easy to find to do any repairs, maybe some more than others but when I thought it was just the gasket I couldn't find that. I'm also not entirely clear on what a defrost heater even is or does.

Eta: the water line for ice is not hooked up, if that matters

Thanks in advance

 

[Dan O.]

I unplugged it to see if it just needed to be reset, and when I plugged it back in it read the correct temperature, 27 (F) and 49 (R). I could still hear it doing something

If the compressor was running when you unplugged it, it needs to be left off for 2-5+ minutes before powering it again. The compressor will not restart immediately and forcing it to run can damage it. You might have been hearing the compressor trying to restart but failing to because of cycling the power too quickly.

when I plugged it back in it read the correct temperature

Was it not reading the correct temperature previously?

I thought it was just the gasket I couldn't find that.

The gasket doesn't look to have ever been available separately. If needed the whole door would need to be replaced. Unfortunately the door looks to be discontinued and NLA.

R-defrost heater error
F-defrost heater error

As near as I can tell the defrost heaters are not available if they are even the problem.

I'm also not entirely clear on what a defrost heater even is or does.

A refrigerator needs to be defrosted periodically. On a "frost free" model that is done mechanically or electronically... when working correctly.

Appliance411 FAQ: How does a Frost Free Refrigerator's Defrost System Work?

Appliance411 FAQ: How does a Frost Free Refrigerator Defrost System Work? Explains the working of the defrost timer, defrost heater and defrost limit thermostat (a.k.a. defrost limit switch or limiter) in a modern frost free refrigerator or freezer,

www.appliance411.com

I might suggest you watch for a good sale of a new refrigerator since very few repair parts appear to be available for yours.

Dan O.

 

[escar]

If the compressor was running when you unplugged it, it needs to be left off for 2-5+ minutes before powering it again. The compressor will not restart immediately and forcing it to run can damage it. You might have been hearing the compressor trying to restart but failing to because of cycling the power too quickly.

Good to know for the future, thank you.

Was it not reading the correct temperature previously?

It was not. It was reading the temperature it was supposed to be/what we had set it at which is why I didn't think at first there was a bigger issue.

I might suggest you watch for a good sale of a new refrigerator since very few repair parts appear to be available for yours.

Dan O.

It quit working at some point overnight again. Still reads the set temperature, but a bag of ice doesn't melt at -4. I'm definitely going to get a new refrigerator. I just didn't want that to be some kind of purposeful function if I over packed the freezer or something stupid Iike that. It was my dad's up until a few months ago, and I can no longer ask him about it.

Thank you.

 

[Dan O.]

It was not. It was reading the temperature we had set it at

I don't know how your model was designed but if the control was not acing as it should and had to be disconnected then reconnected to get it functioning again, the problem may be the electronic control itself.

You'd likely need someone familiar with the workings of that particular model to investigate it and that would usually need to be done when the problem is actually occurring. With intermittent problems that can be difficult to arrange.

JMO

Dan O.