RB12J8896S4 (AA-01) Samsung Refrigerator - Overview

I performed the repair to my own refrigerator, after watching multiple YouTube videos. I installed a secondary heater for the defrost coils and replaced the defrost sensor. The defrost sensor was actually bad. Today, 1/27/2024 I rechecked the fix from last week. All seems to be good so far.

If I get any build up of any ice on the bottom tray of the recessed panel where the drain port is located. I suspect I will also need a new Defrost Heater as well. For now the refrigerator is operating as expected. There is a small amount of ice build up as of today.

Also, I had recently replaced the drain tubes, added a longer heater element part to fit the drain hole, and cleaned the fins in the back of the refrigerator. Thank you.

A couple of blogs said the freezer defrost sensor should be replaced, so I ordered one. Did not fix it. I did, however find a service manual online and one of the blog sites and it showed me how to remove the inside duct work. I discovered the fan the recirculates the air across the evaporator coil was not working. Ordered a new fan motor and installed it, fridge works perfectly now.

I removed all of the internal shelves from the refrigerator side. I then removed the cooling panels from the bottom area. this exposed the fan assembly and cooler. I found ice all over the unit. I had to unplug the refrigerator and used a hair dryer to melt the ice away. I then found the sensor and replace it. After putting the refrigerator back together, I plugged it in and let it cool overnight. I also put a thermometer to validate that cooling was stable. it has been a week with the new sensor and the refrigerator has not frozen over and has been very stable.