RF23J9011SR Samsung Refrigerator - Ice Maker freezes up

[boxer]

Hi,

I have a Samsung Refrigerator Model RF23J9011SR/AA Rev. 08 purchased in December 2016 (about 3 ½ years old).

I have a problem where there is frost buildup within the icemaker. I therefore do a manual (forced) defrost about every 4 to 6 weeks. The procedure I use is:

On the front panel press Freezer (top left) and Cool Select (middle right) buttons simultaneously for about 8 seconds, until there is a “ping” and the display goes blank. Then, press any other button until “Fd” appears (I usually press the Crushed Ice button). Each press selects a different special test mode – “FF”, then “OF    C”, then “Fr”, then finally “Fd”. Once Fd is selected it goes into the Forced Defrost mode and will beep for about 25 minutes while it is defrosting. During this period all lights on the front panel are off. At the end the beeping stops, normal lights come on at the front panel, and the refrigerator is back to normal and the frost in the icemaker has melted.

However, when I went through this process 2 days ago, it went into Fd, but after about 10-15 seconds it gave a “ping” sound, the normal lights came on in the display, but the beeping continued for the usual 25 minutes, after which it stopped. However, there had been no defrosting, the frost build-up in the icemaker was still there.

I repeated this 2-3 times with the same results. The only way to stop the beeping after hearing the “ping” (indicating it was coming out of Forced Defrost mode to normal operation) was to power off the fridge.

Here are a few questions:

1.     What causes the frost buildup, requiring the forced defrost? My friend has the identical fridge, he does not have this issue.

2.     Most importantly, how do I get it to do the manual defrost? Is there some other method to force it? What might have gone wrong?

3.     Even better, what can I do to prevent the frost buildup?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Vance R]

Looks like this has a direct cool ice maker. Samsung has a kit for most of these with new ice maker, clips, enlarged diameter drain tube and main pcb. Google the subject there is lots of information. Try contacting samsung to see if they cover repairs.

[boxer]

Thanks! The fridge is 3 1/2 years old, so now out of warranty -- does anyone have recommendations on how to get Samsung to still cover the repair?

[boxer]

I have also found that there is a class action suit against Samsung for this issue. Interested members can get more info and add themselves to the suit at https://kohnswift.com/2017/03/16/ks...-for-refrigerators-with-defective-ice-makers/

[Vance R]

8 hours ago, boxer said:

does anyone have recommendations on how to get Samsung to still cover the repair?

Good question - some people call and get nothing, some get a covered repair.

[KaveMan]

You can permanently break your fridge by rupturing the refrigerant line running through the ice maker if the repair is not done right. Really not a job for a novice, my friend...