Samsung RT18M6215SG (Top Freezer) – Compressor relay failure Repair Guide

🔧 Step 1: Test compressor start relay

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet and wait 5 minutes for capacitors to discharge.
2. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall, creating at least 3 feet of clearance behind the unit.
3. Locate the lower rear access panel, positioned 4 inches from the bottom of the refrigerator, spanning the full width of the back.
4. Remove the four Phillips-head screws (one in each corner of the panel) using a #2 Phillips screwdriver.
5. Set the panel aside and locate the compressor—a black cylindrical component approximately 8 inches in diameter on the lower right side.
6. Find the start relay attached to the side of the compressor, appearing as a black plastic box measuring roughly 2×3 inches with a wire harness connected to it.
7. Disconnect the wire harness by pressing the plastic tab on top of the connector and pulling straight away from the relay.
8. Pull the start relay straight off the compressor terminals—it slides off with firm, even pressure using both hands.
9. Examine the relay terminals inside the mounting area for burn marks, which appear as black or brown discoloration. Replace if present.
10. Shake the relay near your ear. You should hear a single metallic rattle. Multiple rattles or no sound indicates internal component failure.
11. Set your multimeter to the continuity setting (Ω symbol with sound waves).
12. Touch the multimeter probes to the two side terminals on the relay (ignore the top terminal). The meter should show infinite resistance (OL on display).
13. Turn the relay upside down and test the same two terminals again. The meter should now beep and show 3-15 ohms resistance.
14. If the relay fails either the shake test or the multimeter test, it requires replacement with Samsung part number DA34-00006C.

🛠️ Step 2: Check overload protector

1. Locate the compressor at the bottom rear of the refrigerator – it’s a black cylindrical component approximately 8 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter.
2. Find the overload protector attached to the side of the compressor, positioned between the compressor body and the start relay – it’s a small black or gray rectangular component measuring roughly 2 inches by 1.5 inches.
3. Grip the overload protector firmly with your hand and pull straight outward away from the compressor with moderate force (about 5-10 pounds of pressure) – it slides off the compressor terminals.
4. Examine the metal terminals inside the overload protector – you should see 2 or 3 flat brass-colored prongs that are clean and free of black carbon deposits or pitting.
5. Check the plastic housing for cracks, melted areas, or burn marks – the housing should be solid gray or black with no discoloration.
6. Use a multimeter set to continuity mode (Ω symbol) and touch one probe to each terminal on the overload protector.
7. With the overload protector at room temperature, the multimeter should beep and display 0-2 ohms of resistance, indicating continuity.
8. If the multimeter shows “OL” (open line) or infinite resistance, the overload protector has failed and requires replacement with part number DA47-00095A.
9. Heat the overload protector body with your hands for 30 seconds, then retest with the multimeter – it should still show continuity at warm temperature.
10. Inspect the compressor terminal pins where the overload protector attaches – these 2-3 brass pins protruding from the compressor should be straight, clean, and free of corrosion.
11. If the overload protector passed all tests (shows continuity, no physical damage), slide it back onto the compressor terminals with the wider side facing upward until it seats flush against the compressor body.

⚙️ Step 3: Verify relay operation

1. Locate the compressor relay on the left side of the compressor unit at the rear bottom of the refrigerator, positioned approximately 4 inches above the floor and attached to the compressor body by a black plastic mounting clip.
2. Grip the relay body (a black rectangular component measuring approximately 2 inches by 1.5 inches) and pull straight upward with firm, steady pressure to remove it from the three metal pins on the compressor.
3. Hold the relay with the electrical terminals facing upward and the compressor pins facing downward.
4. Shake the relay gently next to your ear—you should hear a single light rattling sound from the internal contact moving freely inside; multiple rattles, no sound, or a heavy clunking noise indicates relay failure.
5. Rotate the relay 180 degrees so the terminals face downward.
6. Shake again—the rattle should stop or change pitch as the internal contact shifts position; if the sound remains identical, the relay contacts are stuck and the relay has failed.
7. Examine the three metal pins protruding from the bottom of the relay housing for carbon buildup, burn marks, or melted plastic—discoloration beyond light tarnishing indicates failure.
8. Set your multimeter to the continuity setting (often marked with a diode symbol or sound wave icon).
9. Touch the multimeter probes to the two outer terminals on the relay—the meter should show infinite resistance (OL on digital meters) or no continuity beep.
10. Keep the probes in the same position and tilt the relay backward approximately 45 degrees—you should now hear a continuity beep or see resistance drop below 1 ohm; if readings don’t change, replace the relay (Samsung part number DA34-00006C).
11. Remove the multimeter probes and set the relay aside on a clean work surface if it passed all tests.

🔩 Step 4: Replace start relay if faulty

1. Locate the start relay on the side of the compressor at the lower rear of the refrigerator, approximately 4 inches above the floor on the right side of the black cylindrical compressor unit.
2. Grip the black plastic rectangular relay (approximately 2 inches x 1.5 inches) and pull it straight out from the compressor terminal pins with a firm, steady motion until it releases from the three metal prongs.
3. Examine the relay for a burnt smell, black scorch marks on the housing, or loose rattling sounds when shaken—these indicate failure.
4. Test the old relay with a multimeter set to continuity mode by placing probes on the two side terminals while holding the relay upright—you should hear a beep indicating continuity.
5. Tilt the relay upside down and test again between the same terminals—continuity should now be absent (no beep), confirming the internal mechanism moves freely.
6. Obtain the replacement relay (Samsung part number DA34-00006C or compatible aftermarket equivalent matching your existing relay’s shape and terminal configuration).
7. Compare the new relay side-by-side with the old unit, verifying the terminal pin spacing matches exactly and the mounting orientation tab is in the same position.
8. Align the new relay’s three socket holes with the compressor’s three vertical terminal pins, positioning the relay so the wider spacing matches the pin layout.
9. Press the new relay straight onto the pins firmly until it seats completely—you’ll feel resistance stop and the relay will sit flush against the compressor terminal cover with no gaps.
10. Tug gently on the installed relay to verify it’s locked onto the pins and won’t pull off with light pressure.
11. Slide the metal overload protector (round silver component) back onto the relay’s external terminal if it was removed, pushing until it clicks into the slot on the relay body.

📋 Step 5: Test compressor operation

1. Locate the compressor relay and overload protector on the left side of the compressor body, positioned at the lower rear of the refrigerator, approximately 4 inches from the floor.
2. Pull the relay cover straight off the compressor terminals – it’s a black plastic housing measuring roughly 2 inches square.
3. Identify three terminal pins protruding from the compressor: the left pin is Start (S), the middle pin is Common (C), and the right pin is Run (R).
4. Set your multimeter to the ohms (Ω) setting at 200 ohms range.
5. Touch the red multimeter probe to the S terminal and the black probe to the C terminal – you should read 4-6 ohms of resistance.
6. Move the red probe to the R terminal while keeping black on C – you should read 3-5 ohms of resistance.
7. Touch red to S and black to R – you should read 7-10 ohms of resistance (this is the combined reading of the two windings).
8. Test for a ground fault by touching one probe to any compressor terminal and the other to the bare metal compressor housing – the meter should read “OL” (open line/infinite resistance), indicating no short to ground.
9. Reinstall the relay and overload protector by aligning the three terminal slots with the pins and pushing firmly until it seats completely against the compressor body.
10. Plug the refrigerator back into the wall outlet.
11. Listen for the compressor to start within 3-5 minutes – you’ll hear a low humming sound and feel vibration when touching the compressor body.
12. After 10 minutes of operation, touch the copper discharge line (the smaller diameter tube, approximately 1/4 inch, exiting the top of the compressor) – it should feel warm to hot (120-150°F).
13. Touch the larger suction line (approximately 3/8 inch diameter) – it should feel cool to cold (40-50°F).

⚠️ Safety Reminders

• Always unplug the refrigerator before beginning any repair work
• Allow the unit to warm up if working with frozen components
• Use proper tools and safety equipment
• If you’re unsure about any step, consult a professional

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🛒 Recommended Products

Here are the recommended products for this repair:

• W10613606 Refrigerator Compressor Start Relay and Capacitor by Seentech
• [WR8X122 Overload OEM Mania] WR8X122 ORIGINAL KLIXON Produced for GE Refrigerator Overload Protector Replacement Part – Item code: 414RFBYY-53

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