Samsung RF197ACRS/XAA control board replacement

[Chelseat]

Model Number: RF197ACRS/XAA
Brand: Samsung
Age: 6-10 years

Hi everyone,
I’m new here! I am trying to replace the control board one this fridge and for this particular model, I cannot find where the original panel is for the life of me! Unlike other Samsung models, there are no four screws to remove on the back to access the panel. I also downloaded the service manual and somehow it is also not indicated there either! I am assuming it’s behind the panel covering the back of the entire fridge, but I don’t want to start prying it off if that’s not the case. please help! This is the back of the fridge:

For context, I have a tech guy but he’s been outta commission. He already replaced the thermistor and other smaller parts. Fridge is freezing food in center of fridge and ice is building up. Thankfully the water collecting at the bottom stopped since his initial repairs, therefore I’m lead to believe it’s the control board.

[Doc Ryan]

Are you replacing the main control board? I think it might be located on the top of the refrigerator on these models.

[Chelseat]

Are you replacing the main control board? I think it might be located on the top of the refrigerator on these models.

Yes, that is correct! I just learned that Samsung also recommends replacing the heater and bi metal at the same time - thoughts on that?

[Doc Ryan]

That is very common to replace both of those parts as well as the defrost thermistor when having a problem with the automatic defrost cycle.

[Chelseat]

That is very common to replace both of those parts as well as the defrost thermistor when having a problem with the automatic defrost cycle.

Ok - I got totally waylaid in trying to fix this again, but I am not seeing the board panel on top of the fridge. Does anyone have a service diagram for this model? I bought the downloadable service manual but either it’s missing some pages or the diagram that included the main control board replacement was not included.

Could really use some advice - I am so close to just ditching this fridge out of frustration but also don’t have $1k + for a new counter depth one

[Doc Ryan]

Have you checked behind the refrigerator near the compressor area?

[Chelseat]

Have you checked behind the refrigerator near the compressor area?

Hi Ryan,
I did check - photo attached - no dice! I do not see any other easily removable panels on the fridge like the other models have.

[Doc Ryan]

Thank you for the photo. Check the gray box on the right side in your photo, it should be inside there.

[Chelseat]

Thank you for the photo. Check the gray box on the right side in your photo, it should be inside there.

Oh my goodness thanks so much! The hunt is over, I was going crazy. Replaced the board now fingers crossed it stops this freezing business.

REALLY appreciate your time.

[Doc Ryan]

I am happy that I could help!

[Chelseat]

Hi Ryan,
Unfortunately I am back - this did not seem to fix the freezing issue (notably at the back of the fridge).
We’ve replaced the main board, the thermistor, and the drain attachment. Anything else I should try that is 1) relatively simple to replace and 2) costs under $100?

About to throw this thing in the trash lol

[Doc Ryan]

Can you please post a picture of the freezing issue and provide a list of part numbers that you have replaced so far?

[Chelseat]

Can you please post a picture of the freezing issue and provide a list of part numbers that you have replaced so far?

Hi Ryan,
Thanks again for your time - parts that were replaced:
Refrigerator Drain Tube SAM-DA97-04049D - replaced by tech
Refrigerator Temperature Thermistor DA32-00006S - replaced by tech
Refrigerator Control Board - DA41-00695B / AZ86427NR1187 - replaced by me

Apologies if some of these numbers have extra digits, just copying them as I see them.
Attached are two pics - the frozen spots on the back panel and also a glass of water I put at the rear of the fridge overnight.

[Doc Ryan]

Next, unplug the refrigerator and remove the rear cover where you are seeing the ice build up. I would like to see what the evaporator coil looks like behind this cover.

[Chelseat]

Next, unplug the refrigerator and remove the rear cover where you are seeing the ice build up. I would like to see what the evaporator coil looks like behind this cover.

Holy moly

[Doc Ryan]

There we go! Try letting that melt, you can sometimes use a blow dryer on low heat to accelerate the process but be SUPER careful as the plastic is really thin and if you damage it, the refrigerator can be ruined. Once it is melted, put it back together and let it run to see if the problem is fixed or not. You may not know for some time. If it ices back up, then we need to look at the automatic defrost components further.

[Chelseat]

There we go! Try letting that melt, you can sometimes use a blow dryer on low heat to accelerate the process but be SUPER careful as the plastic is really thin and if you damage it, the refrigerator can be ruined. Once it is melted, put it back together and let it run to see if the problem is fixed or not. You may not know for some time. If it ices back up, then we need to look at the automatic defrost components further.

Ok! I’m gonna let it fully defrost (24 hrs) and we try again! I’ll keep you posted 😉

[Doc Ryan]

Great! Sounds good.

[Chelseat]

Hi Ryan! No visible ice accruing yet, but the glass of water I put at the back of the fridge froze solid over night �� what should I try next?

[Doc Ryan]

Can you please give me a detailed history of the problem(s) with the refrigerator?