Samsung RF217ACPN - Fridge ~50, freezer fine

[metalcaot]

Model Number

RF217ACPN

Brand

Samsung

Age

6-10 years

This fridge has been a nightmare since day 1, I can't tell you how many parts I've purchased for this appliance and I've had it 10 years. I only wish I found this forum earlier.

My new/old issue has arisen again, where the ice machine stopped working and the fridge is at 50 degrees. No problem I thought, its probably the defroster again, so I took out my multimeter and test and replace defroster. Fridge is still not getting to temp, odd. The freezer is fine. The ice was really clogged up on the evaporator so I assumed it is probably the evap fan that was seized due to ice? I took out my multimeter and used a magnet to simulate the door being shut but I'm not getting a reading at all on the fan. The evap has since started to build up again, but I don't know what this should look like normally. I've since left the unit on and pulled off the cover/fan until a fan arrives and that is keeping the temps low (35).
After I plugged the new defroster in (and tested) I plugged the fridge back in and it never quite came up to temp, so even if it is freezing up it should technically work until completely frozen right?
What other parts should I be testing? Honestly I would replace this normally but I will be remodeling the kitchen next spring and figure it's just not worth replacing to have a new one get banged up during the remodel.

 

[Jake]

I took out my multimeter and used a magnet to simulate the door being shut but I'm not getting a reading at all on the fan.

Did you use a multimeter set on DC volts and see if your getting 12 volts DC to it? If not then its the main control board that's bad. If so, That indicates the refrigerator evap. fan motor is bad.

Here's the refrigerator evaporator fan motor for your model:
DA31-00146H Motor


Here's the main control board for your model:
DA41-00695A Assy Pcb


Let us know how it goes.

Jake

 

[Jake]

After I plugged the new defroster in (and tested) I plugged the fridge back in and it never quite came up to temp, so even if it is freezing up it should technically work until completely frozen right?

You need the have the evaporator cover over the coils so the defrost heater defrost the coils properly.

Also, it wont come back to normal temperature if the evaporator fan motor isn't running too.

Jake