Samsung RS21NCMS Fridge Freezer

[Colin Blakemore]

My Samsung Fridge Freezer has finally stopped working after over 25 years excellent service! I found the freezer has defrosted completely, even though the temperature display was showing -21C for the freezer and 3C for the fridge. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and then it showed 1C for the freezer and 15C for the fridge (which was probably more accurate!). After a few hours the temperatures in the display slowly dropped until they were showing -21C and 3C respectively, however the inside did not feel cold and nothing was freezing. I unplugged and plugged in the unit again and it read 3C for the freezer and 12C for the fridge after it came back in again on the display. So clearly there is a problem.

I pressed the diagnostic buttons to enter diagnostic mode and the display went blank after beeping showing no codes. Pressing the fridge button had no effect; it did not enter the forced operation mode. So, I am wondering if this is a failed controller? Can anyone offer any advice on how to proceed to identify the cause? Thanks.

[kwatt]

25 years for a Samsung is a miracle! 😉

You will not be able to get any parts for it though, they obsolete stuff pretty early and it’s not at all unusual to see things obsolete after 4-5 years so there’s pretty much no hope for one that age.

It sounds like a sensor or compressor problem though.

K.

[Colin Blakemore]

Thanks for your response. The compressor can still be heard running and it is producing some chilling effect, but not freezing like it should. I was really wondering why the diagnostic system appeared not to be working (I.e. no forced mode control) and whether that was a sign of a dead control unit. If it’s just a sensor it may be possible to obtain one. What is the best way to proceed assuming I don’t want to throw it away and buy a new one?

[kwatt]

It is not the control unit.

It will be one of the sensors, long shot, or the compressor isn’t pumping correctly most probably.

K.

[Colin Blakemore]

Ok. Thanks, I’ll check out the sensors then.

[Colin Blakemore]

I removed the back panel in the freezer and found that the fan motor wasn’t running; I assume this should be running at all times to ciruculate the air? Can anyone tell me:
1. What voltage the motor operates with?
2. If there is any way to identify the model of the fridge freezer when there are no legible stickers on it or inside it anywhere? I thought it might be an RS21, but having seen the manual for one have decided it probably isn’t that model. It has a control panel with a “Vacation” button on where other models appear to have a “Quick Cool” button.
3. The motor part number printed on it appears to be: 2H4AK 3150. Is there a chance I might be able to buy one of these?
Thanks for any help/suggestions, etc.

Colin

[Colin Blakemore]

I have identified the motor (and the unit it’s an SR-S2026CVW (or a model very similar to that one.) Anyway, the same Motor is used, it seems, across a big range of models including this one. I have managed to order one from eBay, so hopefully all will be working again in a few days! Here’s to the next 25 years!

[kwatt]

The voltage should be on the motor if needed.

The fan motor will not run constantly so it’s far from a sure thing that’s the problem as that will only fire up when it’s told to.

K.

[Colin Blakemore]

I replaced the motor but found that the defrost heater element in the freezer was open circuit. Unfortunately I could only get this by buying the complete evaporator unit, which comes complete with all the sensors as well. Of course I had to fit a filling valve on the low pressure side and charge with gas after testing for leaks with nitrogen (there appeared to be none) and then evacuating the system with a vacuum pump. After all this the appliance works, however, the temperatures displayed on the control panel are clearly not the temperatures inside the fridge and freezer. At one point it was displaying -25C for the freezer (which was set at -21C) when the temperature inside appeared to be about -10. So, I’m not sure whether there might still be a problem perhaps with the control board? Any suggestions? Also, I’m not really sure whether the gas charge is correct, can anyone tell me how to check for the correct gas charge? Thanks.

[kwatt]

Without gas gear, you really can’t.

K.

[Colin Blakemore]

I have gas gear. I have everything I need except the information. I have charged it with gas, and it is working as I mentioned previously. It is freezing but the display doesn’t seem to be showing the correct temperatures. I have no way of knowing how much gas it takes (I do know exactly how much I have put into it).

[kwatt]

If you’ve got refrigerant gas gear then you should know how to tap into the system and check it.

K.

[Colin Blakemore]

I have tapped into it and checked it. I fitted a valve and filled it with gas after fitting the evaporator, but don’t know what pressure there should be or what quantity of gas it should have. I have added 420ml refrigerant, but don’t know whether that is enough/too much. It shows no pressure on the low side when the pump is running, but shows about 40psi when stopped. So, if you have any ideas on what it should be I would be grateful to hear your comments. Thank you. I am a motor technician and have dealt with air con on cars, but with them you can find the pressure/gas quality data easily, which doesn’t seem to be the case with Freezers!

[kwatt]

The charge should be on the label normally.

But you probably ought to have read already…

https://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/fix-it-yourself/refrigeration-self-help/4016-refrigerant-gas

K.

[Colin Blakemore]

There are no labels on it anywhere! Even the model identifying labels are missing or illegible.

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