Samsung RFG297AB**/XAA User manual

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 1
Fast Track Troubleshooting
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE –“For Technicians Only” This service data sheet is
intended for use by persons having electrical, electronic, and mechanical experience
and knowledge at a level generally considered acceptable in the appliance repair trade.
Any attempt to repair a major appliance may result in personal injury and property
damage. The manufacturer or seller cannot be responsible, nor assume any liability for
injury or damage of any kind arising from the use of this data sheet.
Models Covered:
RFG297AB**/XAA
Press Freezer button a
third time to Force Low
Speed Run
Press Freezer button a
forth time to Force De-
frost of Fridge & Freezer,
measure defrost voltage
at main PCB
Press Freezer button one
time at the Test Mode to
Force Compressor High
Speed Run, measure fan
and Compressor volt-
ages at main PCB
Self Diagnosis: Press both buttons (Energy
Saver–Lighting) simultaneously (No sound
when both buttons are pressed at the same
time) ‟til the display quits blinking and
beeps, 8-12 seconds, then release and read
Fault Codes.
This will also cancel the Fault Mode created
by self-diagnosis at power up.
Forced Mode: Press both buttons (Energy Saver–Fridge) simulta-
neously (No sound when both buttons are pressed at the same
time) „til it beeps and goes blank, 8-12 seconds
Publication # tsRFG297AB Revision Date 03/30/2011
Component Value Chart
Press Freezer button a
second time to Force
Mid Speed Run
3600RPM 2450RPM 2200RPM
Component Resistance Wattage Voltage
Freezer Defrost Heater 60Ω 240 120vac
Fridge Defrost Heater 120Ω 120 120vac
French Mullion Heater 1800Ω 8 120vac
Ice Duct Heater 3600Ω 4 120vac
Dispenser Heater 7200Ω 2 120vac
Water Tank Heater 72Ω 2 12vdc
Sensors 2.5kΩ-89kΩ N/A 1~4.5vdc
Fans N/A N/A 7~12vdc
NOTICE: Parts Change
The interior lighting has been changed
from incandescent lighting to LED lighting.
The new parts are NOT interchangeable
with the old parts. See page 4
Wait 5 seconds between button pushes
Sealed System
Refrigerant Charge
R134a 5.64 oz.
Sales Mode, No Compressor Operation: Press Energy Saver & Freezer temp buttons simultaneously for 3 sec
( you will hear a “Ding Dong”) to remove or put into Sales Mode. When in the Sales Mode the Display will show
"OF" "OF": Removing power will not cancel this mode.
SUPPORT INFORMATION
Training —Plus One http://my.plus1solutions.net/clientPortals/samsung/
Help —GSPN http://service.samsungportal.com/
Samsung Product Support TV http://support-us.samsung.com/spstv/howto.jsp
Customer information videos and chat programs. Programs for Fridges, Laundry, Ranges & D/W
NOTICE: Parts Bulletin
Handle change 2-2011

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 2
Temperature/Resistance/Voltage Chart for Samsung Refrigerators Sensors
Heat Release I/M Test Mode
Press and hold the ICE TEST S/W for at least 1.5sec, the
harvest function will start. If the ice maker Thermistor is be-
low 0 degrees the Ice maker heater turns on for about 2 min-
utes. If the temperature exceeds 0 degrees, Ice maker
heater turns on for 30 seconds. After the Ice maker heater
turns on for 30 seconds, the heater turns off and then Ice
maker harvest motor turns on. The motor will rotate in right
direction for about 3 minutes, after this, water supply valve is
turned on, then the valve is turned off, the test mode is com-
pleted. If the above operation is not carried out within 6 min-
utes, it will go into a fault mode.
Heat Release Ice production Explanation
38 minutes after the water fill is complete, the control
board will check the temperature of the eject Thermistor,
on the Ice Maker Head, if the Thermistor reads a tem-
perature lower than 18.5 degrees for more than 5 sec-
onds, then the ice production process is completed. The
Ice maker will harvest if the ice bucket is not sensed as
full. If a Fault Mode is detected with the Ice Maker op-
eration, the Ice Maker stops working for 3 hours. Which
means, the Ice Maker checks the operation every 3
hours until it works properly.
FREEZER TEMPERATURE CONTROL BY THE ICE MAKER
Interior Temperature of the freezer will be set to -14 degrees Fahrenheit until the ice bucket is full. When the ice
bucket is full, the freezer will maintain original set temperature. Also, whenever the ice is used, the freezer will
again set to -14 degrees Fahrenheit. Selecting "Ice Off” will allow the freezer to be controlled by the set tem-
perature. If water is not hooked up, the freezer will always be at –14 unless “Ice Off” is selected.
Temp. (Ω) Volts Temp. (Ω) Volts Temp. (Ω) Volts Temp. (Ω) Volts
-29.2°F 64227 4.326 1.4°F 28021 3.685 32.0°F 13290 2.853 62.6°F 6771 2.019
-27.4°F 61012 4.296 3.2°F 26760 3.64 33.8°F 12749 2.802 64.4°F 6521 1.974
-25.6°F 57977 4.264 5.0°F 25562 3.594 35.6 °F 12233 2.751 66.2°F 6281 1.929
-23.8°F 55112 4.232 6.8°F 24425 3.548 37.4 °F 11741 2.7 68.0°F 6052 1.885
-22.0°F 52406 4.199 8.6°F 23345 3.501 39.2 °F 11271 2.649 69.8°F 5832 1.842
-20.2°F 49848 4.165 10.4°F 22320 3.453 41.0°F 10823 2.599 71.6°F 5621 1.799
-18.4°F 47431 4.129 12.2°F 21345 3.405 42.8°F 10395 2.548 75.2°F 5225 1.716
-16.6°F 45146 4.093 14.0°F 20418 3.356 44.6°F 9986 2.498 77.0°F 5000 1.675
-14.8°F 42984 4.056 15.8°F 19537 3.307 46.4°F 9596 2.449 78.8°F 4861 1.636
-13.0°F 40938 4.018 17.6°F 18698 3.258 48.2°F 9223 2.399 80.6°F 4690 1.596
-11.2°F 39002 3.98 19.4°F 17901 3.208 50.0°F 8867 2.35 86.0°F 4218 1.483
-9.4°F 37169 3.94 21.2°F 17142 3.158 51.8°F 8526 2.301 87.8°F 4072 1.447
-7.6°F 35433 3.899 23.0°F 16419 3.107 53.6°F 8200 2.253 89.6°F 3933 1.412
-5.8°F 33788 3.858 24.8°F 15731 3.057 55.4°F 7888 2.205 91.4°F 3799 1.377
-4.0°F 32230 3.816 26.6°F 15076 3.006 57.2°F 7590 2.158 95.0°F 3547 1.309
-2.2°F 30752 3.773 28.4°F 14452 2.955 59.0°F 7305 2.111 96.8°F 3428 1.277
-0.4°F 29350 3.729 30.2°F 13857 2.904 60.8°F 7032 2.064 100.4°F 3204 1.213
Heat Release Ice Makers
DC FAN MOTORS
Brushless DC Fan motors are used to save energy. The fans operate at two speeds. Fan speed information is read by
the Main PCB. If the fan speed exceeds 600 RPM or the speed is too slow, or stopped the fan drive circuit is disabled,
After 10 seconds the circuit tries again with 3 seconds of DC voltage If the fan continues this activity for 5 cycles, 10
seconds off 3 seconds on, the fan drive circuit is disabled for 10 minutes.
TO TEST THE FAN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE.
Power off and back on to check the DC voltage to the motor, wait from 10 to 60 seconds for the fan voltage to kick in,
and then check fan voltage, the average reading is 9 VDC. If you get 3 seconds of voltage every 10 seconds for the 5
fan power up cycles, then the Main PCB is good.
NOTE: You may need to put unit in FORCED FREEZE mode to activate the fans/compressor.
If the fan blade is blocked by ice, then defrost and check the motor again, after removing power from the unit.
If the evaporator is ice blocked and thus blocking the air flow, the fan will over RPM and is stopped. Remove ice and
check the motor again. If everything is clear around the fan blade then the motor would be at fault. Continuous fan errors
will be displayed on the front panel display. PLEASE NOTE: The door switches control the evaporator fan motors. Have
them closed to test the motors. Delay time 10 –60 seconds.

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 3
Error Items LED TROUBLE TESTING
I/M-SENSOR (R on
Twin I/M units)
Ice Maker Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector failure.
Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
R-SENSOR
Refrigerator Room Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector
failure. Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F.
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
DEFROST SENSOR
OF R ROOM
Ref. Defrost Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector failure.
Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
R-FAN ERROR
This error indicates the Refrigerator Evap Fan is not spinning at the
correct RPM or the fan feedback line is open.
Fan voltage at MAIN PCB
shall be between 7V~12V
I/M FUNCTION
ERROR(R on Twin I/M)
This error indicates the Ice tray has not returned to level after an ice
harvest. The error is displayed after three failed attempts.
Replace I/M
R-DEFROSTING
ERROR
Refrigerator Room defrost heater- open or short-circuit, connector
failure, or defective temperature fuse/bi-metal. Defrost on over 80
minutes
Disconnect defrost connector
from PCB, check resistance
PANTRY-DAMPER-
HEATER ERROR
Sensor system in Pantry Room errors
Disconnect heater connector
from PCB, check resistance
PANTRY-SENSOR
ERROR
CR Room Sensor Error- This can be an open or short-circuit, contact
failure. Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F.
The voltage of MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
WATER HEATER
ERROR
Error is displayed when the water reservoir tank heater is open or
shorted
Disconnect heater connector
from PCB, check resistance
EXT-SENSOR
Ambient Temp. Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector failure.
Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
F-SENSOR
Freezer Compartment Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector
failure. Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
F-DEF-SENSOR
Freezer Room Defrost Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector
failure. Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
F-FAN ERROR
This error indicates the Freezer Evap. Fan is not spinning at the
correct RPM or the fan feedback line is open.
Fan voltage at MAIN PCB
shall be between 7V~12V
C-FAN ERROR
This error indicates the Condenser Fan is not spinning at the correct
RPM or the fan feedback line is open.
Fan voltage at MAIN PCB
shall be between 7V~12V
FRENCH DOOR ICE
ROOM SENSOR
Ice Room Sensor Error- open or short-circuit, connector failure.
Cause is also a temperature reading > 122°or < -58 ° F
The voltage at MAIN PCB
Sensor between 4.5V~1.0V
F-DEFROSTING
ERROR
Freezer defrosting heater- open or short-circuit, connector failure, or
defective temperature fuse/bi-metal. Defrost on for over 80 minutes
Disconnect defrost connector
from PCB, check resistance
FRENCH DOOR ICE
ROOM FAN ERROR
This error indicates the Ice Room Compartment Evap. Fan is not
spinning at the correct RPM or the fan feedback line is open.
Fan voltage at MAIN PCB
shall be between 7V~12V
Uart ERROR
COMMUNICATION
This error is not applicable, if the error is detected during diagnostic
testing please ignore it.
No Repair Necessary
L↔M ERROR
COMMUNICATION
Communication error within the Main PCB Replace main PCB
P↔M ERROR
COMMUNICATION
Communication between the Main PCB and Keypad
Check wiring in door &
cabinet, Panel PCB, Main
PCB
Sams ung 'Refrigerator' Diagnostic Code Quick Guide

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 4
SERVICE BULLETIN
PRODUCT: Refrigerator
BULLETIN NUMBER:
ASC20100714001
DATE:
07/14/2010
Please review before ordering
any parts.
CN78
1-3 Fz LED (Blk-Gry)
4-7-FF LED (Red-Gry)
CN71 All 120vac
5-N (Gry)
9-Def Htr Common (Org)

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 5
CN31 Sensor
1-4 Ambient Sensor (Wht-Wht) 1.2~2 vdc
2-(CN90-8) I/M (Red-S/Blu) 5vdc
3-(CN76-1) Ice Room Sensor (Org-Gry) 3~3.8vdc
CN90 Ice Maker
4-8 Eject Sensor (Wht-S/Blu) 2.3~3.3vdc
5-8 Test Sw (Gry-S/Blu) 5vdc
6 Full Hall IC out (Blu)
7 Horiz Hall IC out (Prp)
8 Ground vdc (S/Blu)
CN= Connector # for measuring voltages; () means go to connector #, pin # shown in () for voltage common.
CN30 Sensors & Switches Component Name
4-(CN76-1) F Def Sensor (Org-Gry) 2.3~4.2vdc
Voltage on operating component
Pin #s & wire colors on each connector to measure voltages Key To Read PCB Layout
CN79
10-6 Water Tank Htr (Wht-Pnk) 13vdc
CN75 To Comp Inverter Board
1- ( CN76-1) (Blk-Gry) 13vdc
2- ( CN76-1) (Brn-Gry) 5vdc
4-3 Compressor control (Org-Red)
CN32 Flow Sensor (I/M)
3-2 (Red-Blk) 5vdc
CN70 All 120vac
1-11 I/M Heater(Blk-Gry)
3-11 French-Dsp Heaters (Yel-Gry)
5- (CN71-9) R Defrost (Wht-Org)
7- (CN71-9) F Def/Ice Duct heater (Brn-Org)
9- L1 (Red)
11- N (Gry)
CN71 All 120vac
3-(CN70-9) F Lamp (Prp-Red)
5 N (Gray)
9 Heater Common (Org)
CN73 All 120vac
1-(CN70-9) Cube Solenoid (Yel-Red)
3-(CN70-9) Auger Motor (Pnk-Red)
5-(CN70-9) Dispenser Valve (W/Blk-Red)
7-(CN70-9) I/M Valve Fridge (Prp-Red)
9-(CN70-9) Ice Cover Route (Blu-Red)
11-(CN70-9) I/M Motor CW (R) (Brn-Red)
13-(CN70-9) I/M Motor CCW (R) (Wht-Red
CN76 F, R, C Fans
2-1 Ice Room Fan (Blk-Gry) 7-11vdc
3-1 F Fan (Yel-Gry) 7-11vdc
4-1 R Fan (Org-Gry) 7-11vdc
5-1 C Fan (S/Blu-Gry) 7-11vdc
6 Ice Room Fan FG(Pnk)
7 F Fan FG(Brn)
8 R Fan FG(Red)
9 C Fan FG(Blu)
CN50 Display
4-6 (Org-Pnk) 13vdc
5-6 (Yel-Pnk) 5vdc
8-6 Ice/Water Sw (Blu-Pnk) 5vdc
9-6 Ice Rte Sw 1(Prp-Gry) 5vdc
10-6 Ice Rte Sw 2 (Wht-Gry) 5vdc
CN30 Sensors & Switches
1-5 Freezer Dr Sw (Blk-Gry) 5vdc
2-(CN50-7) R Door Sw (Prp-Gry) 5vdc
3-(CN76-1) F Sensor (Red-Gry) 3.5~4.2vdc
4-(CN76-1) F Def Sensor (Org-Gry) 2.3~4.2vdc
6-(CN76-1) R Sensor (Wht-Gry) 2.4~2.8vdc
8-(CN76-1) R Def Sensor (S/Blu-Gry) 2~4.2vdc
9- (CN76-1) Pantry Sensor (W/Blk-Gry) 2.6~2.8vdc
CN77 Stepper Motor
1-(CN76-1) (Red-Gry) 13vdc
CN78 Lamp/Veg LED
4-7 (Red-Gry) 13vdc
CN91 Pantry Room Damper
1-2 Damper Heater (Blk-Brn) 12vdc
3-4 Damper Motor (Wht-Blu)
5-6 Damper Motor (Yel-Red)
CN51 Pantry Room
7-5 (Blu-Wht) 13vdc
RFG297AB**/XAA
(early production)

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 6
= New Production Change

# tsRFG297AB RevC 03/30/2011 7
Compressor & System Operation Testing
The Time Divided Multi-cycle (TDM) System (Stepper Valve) is
used to switch refrigerant flow . This improves temperature control
and energy efficiency.
If it fails in the all evaporator mode, it should work properly, using
slightly more energy. If it fails in the Freezer evaporator only mode,
there will be a Fridge no cool Force on the Fridge with the ―Power
Cool‖ option. Monitor the Fridge evaporator(s) temp by using the
Defrost Sensor(s). If the temp doesn’t decrease, then suspect the
Main PCB is not supplying signal to switch the diverter valve.
TEST BEFORE INTERPRETING LED BLINKING FREQUENCY
Compressor not running
1. Activate Forced Compressor Operation, wait 2 minutes (in case of high head pressure)
2. If compressor doesn’t start, check CN75 for 2~2.8vdc (if not there replace Main PCB)
3. Check for 120vac to inverter PCB CN02 L-N
4. If voltage is OK, remove power, disconnect CN03 (Inverter PCB) and check resistance to the
windings. Aproxametly10 ohms. If not correct , inspect wire harness, if OK replace compressor.
5. Disconnect CN02 (SMPS PCB), check resistance to Overload , if open replace overload.
Protection
Functions
LED Blinking Frequency
Test
Replace
Starting Failure
Check the Inverter PCB & Comp
Relay Connectors
Connectors OK,replace Inverter PCB, if same,
replace compressor
SPM Fault
If blinking after reset,
Check System for restriction & refrigerant, if OK
replace Inverter, if same, replace compressor
Detecting
Position Failure
Check Inverter Connectors,
Connectors measure OK, replace compressor, if
same, replace Inverter PCB
Motor Locked
Compressor Locking
Compressor
Low Voltage
Compressor Locking, check input
voltage
Replace Inverter PCB, if same, replace
Compressor
Over Voltage
Compressor Locking, check input
voltage
Replace Inverter PCB, if same, replace
Compressor
CN04 Compressor Control
2- (CN40-4) 5vdc (Brn-Gry)
4 Comp Signal (Org)
CN03 Compressor Windings
1 Compressor (Blue)
3 Compressor (Prp)
5 Compressor (Wht)
CN02 Overload
& A/C Line
1 OLP (Brn)
3 OLP (S/Blu)
3 L (Blk)
1 N (Red)
CN75 To Comp Inverter Board
2- (CN76-1) (Brn-Gry) 5vdc
4-(CN76-1) Compressor control (Org-Red) 2~2.8vdc