FIXED RF23J9011SR Samsung Refrigerator - Ice Maker freezes up

[shai]

Model Number

RF23J9011SR

Brand

Samsung

Age

1-5 years

As the subject says - ice maker freezes up every few weeks. Not the water line - that's fine, water dispenser works all the time. The ice maker itself, where ice cubes are dropped to the bucket. If you don't catch it in time, the bucket gets stuck to the ice maker.
Any idea?

Thanks.

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

RF23J9011SR

9 models start with those digits.
EG: RF23J9011SR/AA-01

jeff.

 

[shai]

Hi Jeff,

RF23J9011SR/AA

Thanks.

 

[jeff1]

RF23J9011SR/AA

If there is no version number, hope it is 00
I found, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 and 08 versions.
When they made a change, it is a new version #.

If the ice maker builds up. We would defrost the unit 24 hours with the doors open.
Replace ice maker. Install Y clips. Silicone bottom left seam to prevent air leakage.

LINK> Ice maker assembly
LINK> Y clip assembly
LINK> White silicone sealant

jeff.

 

[shai]

Thanks Jeff.

"Rev 08" - is this what you are looking for?

What are the Y clips and am I not supposed to have them now?
Any idea why this is happening?
Does it require moving the fridge out of its location or can this be done from the inside?

 

[jeff1]

"Rev 08" - is this what you are looking for?

Yup.
Same parts

LINK> Ice maker assembly
LINK> Y clip assembly
LINK> White silicone sealant

What are the Y clips

An update.
New ice maker is also updated.

See the new clips installed on the right side of the pic.

Any idea why this is happening?

Korean quality with made in China parts.

Does it require moving the fridge out of its location

Nope, but shut off the breaker/fuse to kill the power.

or can this be done from the inside?

Yes.

jeff.

 

[shai]

OK, but why is this happening? What is happening "technically" that causes the ice maker to freeze up, is it just the clips (what do they do, BTW) or defective ice maker as well?

 

[jeff1]

What is happening "technically" that causes the ice maker to freeze up

You would have to ask the manufacture what all they screwed up.
This unit has a refrigeration line to get the ice maker cold and this refrigeration line also has to defrost itself and then manage that defrost water.
Silicone helps to prevent air leakage.

jeff

 

[shai]

Thank you Jeff.

Where do I need use the silicone, what am I sealing after replacing the clips and the ice maker?

 

[jeff1]

Silicone bottom left seam to prevent air leakage.

Remove bin. Remove ice maker ( just gives you more room ). Silicone the bottom left ( cornering/seam/edge ) of the ice maker room.

jeff.

 

[shai]

How do I defrost the ice maker in this model, just get to Fd mode and leave like this beeping?

 

[jeff1]

Safest and most proven method for us is to unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open. Could shut off the breaker and leave the doors open, this eliminates moving the refrigerator.
Most that I see are so badly frosted/iced up that the forced defrost cycle doesn't help much.

jeff.

 

[shai]

I understand, but if I want to use the defrost cycle, what's the process? Do I just leave it on Fd and should be it beep continuously while in that mode? I prefer to try this first and not empty my fridge or destroy the food.

 

[jeff1]

A copy:

Place Unit into Self Diagnostic mode.
Place the unit into forced defrost mode. This will loosen the ice and warm up the cooling loop in preparation for removal of the ice maker.
NOTE:
Do not use a heat gun or hair dryer to defrost the ice room. This may cause the plastic liner to melt creating permanent damage.
Remove the ice bucket from the Ice Room.
Remove the unit from force defrost mode and then unplug the unit.

*****

Doesn't say anything about beeping or such.

jeff.

 

[shai]

Thank you Jeff. How do I put the unit into Self Diagnostic mode? Is there a 'technician' manual anywhere that I can download?

 

[jeff1]

Tech sheet should come with the refrigerator.

I found, if like yours...

Freezer key and cool select key are held for 8 seconds.

jeff.

 

[shai]

Thank you Jeff!
I believe this is what I am hearing, it seems to be continuous until Fd mode is off.

 

[jeff1]

Annoying!!

jeff.

 

[shai]

I received the part today, thank you for fast shipping!

I am still baffled by what's going on.
I have the ice tray out of the fridge and the ice maker is off and has been for several days.
Today I put the fridge on defrost for about 8 minutes (it does indeed beep constantly), it defrosted the ice that was stuck inside. This was done about 10 hours ago.
This is what it looks like now. Why does it keep freezing when the ice maker is off and the temperature in the entire compartment is above freezing (remember - it's open to the main fridge because the tray is out)? See Pic.

In addition, every now and then I hear something in the ice maker working or trying to work, like something is trying to spin. It stops as soon as I open the door and resumes when I close it.
Again, ice maker is off.

Thanks.

Pardon typos, sent from mobile.

 

[jeff1]

Why does it keep freezing when the ice maker is off

Has a refrigeration system line in there.

In addition, every now and then I hear something in the ice maker working or trying to work, like something is trying to spin. It stops as soon as I open the door and resumes when I close it.

For sure in the ice maker itself? There is also a fan behind the ice maker.

LINK> Auger motor

jeff.