How to Troubleshoot & Replace Samsung AP4171999 / DA96-00020Q Evaporator Assembly

Purchased new evaporator/heater/sensor assembly from appliance parts. Removed new heater, sensor and wire harness from new assembly and from existing unit in refrig section. Then installed new heater and sensor on old refrig evaporator, avoiding complex soldering and recharge with Freon. Once repaired all failure indications cleared and refrigerator section performing like new. Also purchased new heater for water tank and several broken plastic parts that went in in 2 minutes. Changed door light switch which had become intermittent. 

Had to replace the whole evaporator as the heater is integrated into it. Being a refrigeration tech it was no problem. I just wanted to say how impressed I was with your quick delivery. Ordered it Friday and was going to pay for overnight shipping but was told it wouldn't ship till Monday if I did. So I ordered it regular freight and got it the next day!!! I was very happy as it is a real inconvenience not having a refrigerator and having to live out of an ice cooler. Thanks again, you guys are awesome! Steve Webster 

Reviewed AppliancePartsPros.com troubleshooting and videos online and determined the Evaporator heater section was not defrosting coil. Replaced the Evap. Heater and Temp Sensors and while I had this apart, I changed the evap. fan motor as a preventive measure while I had this section of the refrigerator apart. YouTube Videos allowed this to be a very simple repair and the refrigerator is as good as new. Thank you AppliancepartsPros.com 

I watch the tutorial on line. Step by step procedures on how to fix it as well as what parts to order. 

I looked up the tech sheet & put it in self- diagnostic by holding LIGHTING & POWER FREEZE for 8 seconds. It displayed a special line code that I translated through the tech sheet (found online). It's suggested a bad heating element in the fridge. The sheet also said the resistance should read around 104 OHMS. I tested the wire harness at the control board and found the element had nearly 3000 OHMS. It needed to be replaced. Be very very careful handling the evaporator because it can crack at the seams & that will cost you a lot of money. The video here on APP was very helpful. Must watch! 

I found a defective Thermal Fuse (open). I also replaced the Heating Element since I had the unit opened up. Its a challenge lacing in a replacement element but with patience it can be done. Its too bad the Heating Element is not sold separately. The refrigerator has been cold for 96 hours and our family is very happy! 

I changed sensor ($5) few weeks ago and thought it will solve the problem. It started beeping and flashing in couple of days. Checked heater for continuity and was bad. Ordered parts and it was exactly the same part. Took the heater coil out as shown in repair video and replaced it. It's working perfect now, cooling like brand new. Did manual defrost and it cleared the little ice build up right away. Received right part as it was shown on website. Highly recommend this!!! 

Go to RN's Site samsung refrigerator heater repair he tells the problem with these defrost heaters and how to take the heat element off of the evaporator assembly. it took me about 45 minutes not counting defrosting the block of ice that encased it.works like a charm so far. 

The heater for the condenser coil was shorted. Replaced heater. Removed covers, tested heater with multimeter. Short circuit. Removed heater coils from condenser unit, drill out the rivet. Remove old heater coil (remove rivet) and install new coil. Plug in all plugs (they are keyed and will only go in their sockets. Also replaced thermistor (which was part of the kit) and replaced covers. So far so good. 

Found fridge evaporator iced bad. de iced with hair dryer and replaced defective defroster (resistance open) removed from the new evaporator assembly. now works fine.