Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

[Lurchy]

Hi all,
I am new here and hoping that someone can help me with some advice.
I have a Samsung RL52VPBIH Fridge freezer just out of 2 yr warranty which has stopped getting cold….
I am Advanced in fault finding/repairs E.T.C. But as this is quite a new model there is very little info on the web for the model of fridge I have.
No matter how long this fridge freezer is left on for, it does not get cold enough to use.
compressor is always running, condenser fan is always running, damper in fridge closes and opens when opening fridge door as it should.
I have removed freezer internals and condenser does get ice forming on it just not enough? This is the first Digital invertor compressor I have had, I understand that they run at different speeds compared to older types which are ‘on’ then ‘off’ at correct temperature.
So I think that this has to be a problem with the main PCB or the compressor driver invertor PCB or the compressor/Freon gas itself?
Nothing is visually burned or dry jointed on any of the PCB’s and although I have got the service repair manual it does not give details of test point locations and voltages to check.
Has anyone got any experience with this model or similar that can point me in the right direction? I can get and replace either PCB but don’t want to do so if the digital compressor is at fault (covered by 10yr warranty from SS but not worth the labour charge that it would cost!)
Also I note that on the Compressor controller inverter board there is a red led which is always on. Anyone know if this means good or error state?
Thanks to any replies in advance and fingers crossed!
😥

[admin]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Hi

The cover over the main pub has the error codes either on it or below it. every thing that should be happening is so it could be restricted or a stuck diverter valve.

Bryan

[Lurchy]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Hi Brian, thanks for your input, this is a single fridge freezer with freezer at the bottom and only one condenser/fan unit in the freezer compartment which blows cold air up the back into the fridge, so there is no diverter valve fitted. I have also tried it in forced mode, still doesn’t get cold enough, I think either the digital compressor is not spinning fast enough due to a fault on either the inverter or mainboard or simply not enough coolant in the system.

[Lurchy]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Now running in forced mode ‘FF’
Cycling through forced mode 1-3 compressor does not change speed as it should –
forced mode ‘1’ = high ‘2’ =med ‘3’= low
have now ordered ‘SLA6805m’ 23pin motor driver IC for inverter board.
Come on please someone out there can tell me about this?
Thanks.

[admin]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Hi

Samsung don’t give out ANY tech concerning the board contents.

If it works on forced run then the speed won’t change until it comes back out of FR and to be honest unless your sitting there waiting for the change which could take hours then we as engineers do not have that luxury. On forced run does the fridge get cold ?
does the freezer ? when put into forced defrost does it end the defrost correctly ?.

As we cannot physically see it its a guessing game.

Bryan

[Lurchy]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Hi Brian,
In forced mode the fridge and freezer do not get cold enough to use, even after 8 hours or so and as it continually beeps that did my nut in so I soldered a switch between the piezo beeper and the main board to turn it off during this time!
I haven’t tried the defrost cycle actually I’m going to test that today and see it it gets hot and comes out of the forced defrost mode.
I have ordered the high voltage 3 phase motor driver IC for the invertor board but like you said it’s a guess really as I don’t know enough about this board.
Thanks again.

[Lurchy]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Update.
Put the unit into forced defrost mode ‘Fd’ heater element got hot, comp and fan stopped and after about 20mins unit went back to normal operation.
Allthough Compressor tried to start and cut out with red light blinking on inverter board. The service manual says this will happen sometimes after forced defrost mode.
Unplugged from ac for a few minutes then have put into ‘FF’ mode forced.
Compressor seems to be running faster than it has before, leave for a few hours and see, maybe software was locked? and forced defrost has changed something.
One thing I am unsure about, whilst this unit is always at room temp the freezer temp reading is around 24 deg c, the fridge temp reading never says more than 5 deg c. it is only a single display but wouldn’t it at least show 9 deg c ?

[Lurchy]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Update, No change, even with the new motor driver IC, has to be main pcb, inverter pcb or compressor faulty, not worth spending the money on.
Thanks anyway..

[Lurchy]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Disappointed with this website and the so called engineers on it, Samsung engineer visited today at a high COST, confirmed that there was no refrigerant gas in the system and said a £300 invoice to rectify….
To cut a long story short… If the compressor is running, and you can hear that, digital or conventional, and your fridge freezer is not getting cold then it has – a gas leak, no gas, damaged gas pipes. Full Stop. With gas whatever type it will get cold eventually, so I am disappointed with this website, and the advice given by so called experts, won’t be posting, buying or using again. Bye….

[admin]

Re: Samsung RL52VPBIH Not cooling

Hi Lurchy

For a appliance to lose its gas as you put it after 6 months of running I very much doubt that it was a loss of gas.Broken pipes or damaged pipes as if it was the bill would not be £300.

It looks like you have been charged for a compressor to which if I remember correctly came with a samsung 10 year guarantee. The sundries charge which is the R600a gas and drier ect would be a maximum of £60 plus labour and the compressor would or should be FOC.

As to being disappointed with the web site. We can only give general information and help as we are not in front of your appliance and cannot test anything on it.

But of course you are the customer who expects engineers to have a telepathic and out of body training so that you can test everything from the other side of the world.

Bryan

[Author]

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