RF266AERS Samsung Refrigerator - Whirring noise seems to come from freezer, stops when door opens

[dhertz]

I hope you can see this video, I took it by doing it directly from the website on my phone. The noise just started happening again and I’m hoping someone can tell me what the problem might be.

 

[jeff1]

Sorry, just says "No video with supported format and MME type found".

jeff.

 

[Jake]

Upload the video to Youtube, for some reason Jeff's computer can not see it.

Jake

 

[dhertz]

Upload the video to Youtube, for some reason Jeff's computer can not see it.

Jake

Here is a link for the video on Youtube. Thanks!!!

 

[jeff1]

Did or have you tried the 24 hour defrosting with the doors open yet?

Definitely sounds like the blade is hitting something....ball of ice, frost, a wire......would have to be investigated.

jeff.

 

[dhertz]

So if I replaced the evaporator fan motor within the last year, is it fair to say that did not solve the problem? As someone who is not terribly handy and doesn't have a ton of time to try to fix this, does it sound fixable or am I looking at replacing this fridge?

 

[dhertz]

Also, I ordered the evaporator fan motor. The part number matches up but is it possible for this part to be faulty? I replaced it in November so this should not be happening again. So either the problem was never really fixed and it’s something else causing the noise, or the part was faulty and I should order it from somewhere else.
Any idea which is most likely?

amazon links not allowed

 

[jeff1]

Any idea which is most likely?

Definitely sounds like the blade is hitting something....ball of ice, frost, a wire......would have to be investigated.

The noise would appear the fan blade is hitting something...odd is possible but not overly common to be a fan motor issue....more likely and issue with something else and the fan blade hitting something is the result and not the cause.

would have to be investigated

Remove the cover and investigate.

jeff.

 

[Jake]

If the fan is faulty again, don't order it from amazon, order it from Jeff's link to it in post #2.

We have had a rash of people come in here and tell us that parts from amazon and ebay only last a few months, rather than many years, and the reason is China is flooding the market with cheap knock offs. They may or may not say OEM on the parts but it doesn't make it so. China distributors even pay people to give good reviews.

Jake

 

[dhertz]

Thanks for the tip Jake. How do I know whether the fan is faulty? Would I see something on the fan itself? Once I take it out then how can I test whether it's working or not?

 

[jeff1]

How do I know whether the fan is faulty?

Remove the cover and investigate.

Once accessed, is the noise coming from the motor itself or from the loose blade, blade hitting something?

We have had a rash of people come in here and tell us that parts from amazon and ebay only last a few months, rather than many years, and the reason is China is flooding the market with cheap knock offs

Been happening for a while now

jeff.

 

[dhertz]

When I replaced it last time, I remember taking out the whole thing so it wasn't plugged in anymore. You're saying that I can see leave it attached to the fridge and see how it's working without taking it out from the fridge?

 

[jeff1]

Usually will try to leave it plugged in for testing/checking what is going on....then yes, remove the assembly to replace any part(s) needed.

jeff.

 

[jrlo]

Hi all,

The fan had not made the noise again until last night. It kept going and stopped every time I opened the freezer door, then started again right away when I closed the door. This morning it was not making the noise anymore, but no idea how long it was going on after I went to bed last night.

Having replaced this part, is there any other cost effective solution that might fix this? When I'd called Samsung back in November, they said there would be a diagnostic fee - something around $100 but not sure - then the possible fixes could be in the few hundred dollar range to high enough to not be worth fixing, and I should just get a new fridge. I think the few hundred dollar range fix might have been what I already did.

Even though it's not happening now, I'm reluctant to take a chance that the fridge will just break down in an emergency situation. So, bottom line...should I be trying to get this fridge looked at to be fixed by a pro, or should I be looking into getting a new fridge? For context, this fridge is about 7-8 years old.

Thanks so much for your help!

Hi dhertz,

saw your post Nov 6 2019 and video about Samsung Fridge whirring/grinding noise coming from freezer, stop when open the door. The video sound exactly what I am hearing. Did you find the problem causing this noise? Hope to hear from you, Thanks

 

[dhertz]

Jrlo no, we’ve never gotten to the bottom of this. It happens rarely but when it does it usually goes for quite a while. There doesn’t seem to be any issues with cooling in either the fridge or the freezer so for now we’re just living with it.

 

[robzx2000]

Ok thanks for sticking with it Jeff! No idea why these are not working, but I tried a different way now.
View attachment 49771

The evaporator fan motor needs to be replaced.