How to Replace DA31-00342A Evaporator Fan Motor on Samsung Refrigerator — Step-by-Step

Your Samsung refrigerator's freezer section is working, but the fresh food compartment feels warmer than it should. You hear the compressor running, yet somehow the cold air isn't making it to where it needs to go. Nine times out of ten, that's your evaporator fan motor calling it quits. The DA31-00342A sits behind the back panel in your freezer section, and when it stops spinning, cold air stays trapped instead of circulating throughout your fridge.

This replacement works across multiple Samsung side-by-side models including the RS27T5200SG/AA, RS27T5201SR/AA series, RS27T5561SR/AA, and RS22T5201SR/AA. If you've got a model starting with RS22T or RS27T, you're probably dealing with this exact motor.

What You Need Before Starting

• Phillips head screwdriver
• 1/4" nut driver or socket set
• Flashlight or work light
• Towels (for any frost or condensation)
• Gloves (the evaporator coils get cold)

Repair Time: 45-60 minutes
Difficulty: MODERATE

Safety First

Unplug your refrigerator completely before you start. Not just for electrical safety — you need to let the evaporator coils warm up a bit so any frost buildup melts. If there's heavy frost back there, give it 20-30 minutes. Working around frozen coils makes everything harder, and you risk cracking plastic panels. Keep towels handy because melting frost means water.

Step 1: Empty the Freezer and Remove Shelves

Pull out all the food and remove any shelves or bins blocking access to the back wall. You need a clear path to that back panel. Some models have an ice maker — if yours does, you might need to remove the ice bucket first. Take a picture of how everything sits before you start pulling things apart.

Step 2: Remove the Evaporator Cover Panel

The back panel in your freezer is held on with Phillips screws — usually 6 to 8 of them around the perimeter. They're not always obvious because Samsung likes to hide them behind little plastic caps. Pop those caps off with a flathead screwdriver, then remove all the screws. The panel might stick from frost buildup. Don't force it. Work it gently from the bottom edges until it releases. Behind this panel, you'll see the evaporator coils and the fan motor mounted right in the center.

Step 3: Disconnect and Remove the Old Motor

The fan motor has a wire harness that unplugs — squeeze the tab and pull it straight out. Don't yank on the wires themselves. Now you'll see the motor is held in place by a mounting bracket with typically three screws. Remove those screws and carefully pull the motor assembly forward. The fan blade is usually attached to the motor shaft with a spring clip or small screw. Remove the blade and set it aside — you'll reuse it if your new motor doesn't come with one.

Step 4: Install the New DA31-00342A Motor

Check your new motor's shaft length against the old one. Attach the fan blade to the new motor shaft — make sure it's seated properly and the clip or screw is tight. The blade needs to spin freely without wobbling. Mount the new motor in the bracket using the same screw holes. Line everything up so the blade has clearance on all sides — you don't want it rubbing against the housing. Plug the wire harness back in until you hear it click.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Before you screw that back panel on, plug the fridge in temporarily and listen. The fan should start spinning within a few seconds. It'll be quiet — not silent, but not loud either. A smooth hum is what you want. If it's running, unplug again, reinstall the back panel with all screws, replace the plastic caps, and put your shelves back. Plug it back in and give it 4-6 hours to reach proper temperature. Check both the freezer and fresh food sections — you should feel cold air circulating.

Testing After Installation

After everything's buttoned up, open your fresh food door and feel the vents at the back wall. You should feel cold air pushing through. If the freezer's cold but the fridge section isn't getting there, you might have a damper control issue instead — but that's rare. The evaporator fan is the workhorse that moves cold air around, and you'll know immediately if it's working. Give it 24 hours to fully stabilize, then check your thermometer. Freezer should read 0°F, fridge around 37°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this motor fit my RS27T5561SR/AA-02?

Yes, the DA31-00342A works across the entire RS27T and RS22T series. That includes all dash numbers like AA-00, AA-01, and AA-02. Samsung uses this same motor design across multiple model years, which makes replacement straightforward.

Why does the freezer work but not the fridge section?

Because the evaporator coils and fan are located in the freezer compartment. Cold air is generated there, then the fan pushes it through ducts into the fresh food section. When the fan dies, the freezer stays cold from direct contact with the coils, but the fridge section gets nothing. It's the most common symptom of a failed evaporator fan motor.

How long should this motor last?

You're looking at 5-8 years typically, sometimes longer depending on usage. If you're constantly opening and closing doors or if your fridge is in a hot garage, the motor works harder. Frost buildup from a bad door seal can also kill a fan motor prematurely by making the blade work against ice resistance. Keep those coils clear and your seals tight, and you'll get good life out of it.