Here's how to do it: Turn your refrigerator off at the wall or unplug it. might the Motor run, but then over-heat after a few minutes ? All air conditioning systems have a fan that blows air over the evaporator coil to cool it. HVAC Training Shop is reader-supported. Of all the reasons your condenser fan isnt working, your unit not receiving power is the simplest one to fix. 1401 Clearlake Rd. See the Capacitors link just below. So, I read on Google what I highlighted for you, and ordered a 30+ UF cap. The fan contactor is the switch that turns the condenser fan on and off. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 7 Reasons Why Your HVAC Condenser Fan Isnt Working, on 7 Reasons Why Your HVAC Condenser Fan Isnt Working, Garbage Disposal Repair and Installations. Is there rust on the bottom of the capacitor? Am I able to wire a 3 wire fan into a heating pump that had a 4 wire fan? it depends. Gently slide the stick between the vents and give the fan blade a slight push. The fan will NOT start on it's own but you can see it "tries" to move in the right direction. Reader Question: (May 18, 2015) Aubrey said: when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts. Typically refrigerant leaves the compressor and enters the outdoor condensing coil at about 100 psi and about 95 degF. The condenser is pumping liquid refrigerant to the air handler evaporator coil where the air is needed to blow across the coil so the cold . What else could be wrong with it? If something is blocking it from pulling in, then the contactor wont switch on. I use a multimeter to measure the resistance ac. If the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the capacitor is bad. If the condenser coils are too dirty, the air conditioner's cooling power is limited so the system has to keep running in attempts to cool each room. Typically this is caused by an internal short in the motor windings. If your unit has shut off, check your circuit breaker. Condenser Fan stops running- Fan or capacitor? Over an extended period, that will cause the fan to stop working. Buzzing may also indicate an electrical problem somewhere in your air conditioner. Jim, thanks so much for the very nice feedback - that's just super. Make sure the door seals are properly sealed and tight. A blower fan may run for a brief while after the compressor motor has stopped but if the outdoor fan never stops check for a problem with the control board wiring or circuit. Problem: Noisy air conditioner. Check for a fan blade hitting an obstruction in the unit; possible failing blower fan motor. HVAC air filters should be changed every one-to-three months. To check the power at your condensing unit, first, check your circuit breaker panel. The fan stops on the condenser. Remove the access panel to the blower compartment. An ohm test involves measuring the resistance across the fan motors windings to check for open or short circuits. Step Four: Check The Outdoor Unit's Disconnect. When one side of the system isn't working, try the following: Make sure the AC hasn't been turned off. Your service tech will perhaps look for a bad control board, relay, or wiring connection or sensor. The next task is figuring out why the thermal overload tripped in the first place. Fan Selection: Depending on vehicle design, the fans may operate singly or in . But when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts, it will not stay on when compressor is on. the motor may spin by hand no problem ,even if the motor is bad, your replacement motor most likely will be a universal motor that will use it's own cap , that will be a 5 mfd to a 7.5 mfd . The only culprit I could pin this to was that the framing the motor & fan are supported by, was that of the four screws that secure this assy to the chassis, 3 of 4 had missing spacers. Anyway, into the bag of tricks, although I always test them anyway. The Unit Is Too Small or Has an Old Thermostat. Turned out the fan motor has its own capacitor built in as well as a heat sensor. The unit is 8 years old. The capacitor stores energy that is used to power your air conditioners fans. Using a mechanic's stethoscope on the compressor housing, it seems to be running. Was interesting to learn. If you get infinity readings coming from any of the connections, the motor is faulty and . This will cut power to the condenser fan. The green line marks a common location for the fan control circuitry, and the blue line marks the fan motor. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. The line sets didn't even get cold or hot by even a degree difference. If the compressor/condenser unit is wired with 240V (or "220 volts") as most are, an overcurrent at compressor start-up may be tripping just one leg of a two-pole breaker or one of a pair of fuses, leaving the other circuit "live". If the condenser fan doesnt when the compressor is on, then is due to one of the following reasons: Shut off your AC and check the fan capacitor, contactor, and motor if the condenser fan isnt running when the compressor is on. This is usually the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats. You should be able to use a single switched or double pole switched contactor. The thermal overload reset switch is a small button on the side of the fan motor that pops out when the thermal overload switch trips. Cut the metal rod of the motor, before putting the new motor on the grill. Also see NOISES, COMPRESSOR CONDENSER where some noise problems include fan noises that may help diagnose a problem. If the condenser fan is runningyou will see the fan blade spinning at speed (typically at 1725 rpm) and you will feel air blowing out of the unit. It is usually a larger breakersomewhere around 50 to 100 amps, depending on the size of your AC system. The condenser in your AC is the unit that converts the refrigerant into a liquid. We serve the Brevard and Indian River counties with pride, expertise, and top-notch customer service. Mechanical Issues. On occasion a "slow" outdoor fan may be due to a fan blade that is not secured to the fan motor shaft. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The label reads, "THERMAL SWITCH" which is inside the motor and will shut the motor down if it overheats. Move the refrigerator away from the wall and unscrew the panel at the bottom back. Filter,and coils clean; ventsare open. It had gotten down to 62 degrees. Thank you for your response. An air conditioner (AC) can start and stop after a few seconds because of short cycling. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Most likely a shorted winding. If it is leaking, you will know by a pool of . Clogged Air Filter. After running fine for like an hour the condenser unit fan would stop but the compressor would continue working. I dried the lines and did the pressure testing and all held perfectly. Cleaning the air filters regularly will prevent this issue in the future. Checking Motor Windings. If the fan motor is OK one or more allen screws set into the center bushing of the blower fan itself may need to be tightened to secure the blower fan to the motor shaft. This is to check for continuity. My AC unit is 18 years old, and I was afraid it was hopeless, but I decided to run through your checklist, and I was able to get it cleaned up and running again. Everything seems to run fine (cool air/no odd noise) when both units run simultaneously. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Step 1 - Turned off the circuit breaker at the main panel. If the condenser unit fan won't start at all, check for power to the unit and to the fan motor and that all of the controls are calling for cooling (or heat pump operation); check for loose, disconnected wires; Check for a frozen fan motor (motor won't turn manually when power is off). Eventually, the layer of black soot prevents the metal plates from forming contact with each other. My unit is 22 years old! Plug electronics into a power strip and turn it off when not in use. The fan stops on the condenser. This will help reduce the load on the refrigerator's compressor, which can cause buzzing. Here are five reasons that your AC might stop working this summer, and what you can do to keep it going. Anything else make it shut down like that? A bent condenser fan causes stress on the blower fan motor shaft and can destroy the motor. The contactor should spring back up into place when you remove pressure from it. Now if the condenser fan runs in "heat" you may have a problem with the fan relay or the main controller. If the AC unit fan is not spinning, the first thing to check is the circuit breaker. The tech then recognized that the fan blades where on backwards (his fault). Read further to diagnose the issue. Fan stopped after an hour, and it's really hot to the touch. It comes about every 10 minutes or so. Fan motor free spinning but shuts down about 200. Could be a bad start-run capacitor or a bad control board. Tried again after washing out well. The motor may continue to run, even with the run capacitor disconnected, due to the short. There are several reasons the capacitor of your HVAC unit can fail. I had a problem with my Condenser unit. Thought that AC wasn't cooling 100%, and low and behold went outside and condenser fan was not turning and fan was hot as well as entire unit. Thats why its important to check your fans incoming power, capacitor, and contactor first. 7. The service panel may have some labels or stickers on it. Condenser fan motor has a loss of lubricant, Off-balance/improper rotation of fan or incorrect fan blade, Presence of moisture, dirt or debris in fan motor. in SPLIT SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS designs may mount the fan in a vertical position blowing out of the side of the compressor unit rather than out of the compressor top shown in our sketch. Unscrew and lift off the top panel. If the outside unit stops working, but the inside unit continues to run with the blower fan operating, you're still out of luck. The condenser fan is visible inside of the outdoor compressor/condenser unit such as the unit shown in our sketch at left, an in our other photos on this page. Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. See COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER INSPECTION CHECKLIST for a simple checklist for the outdoor compressor/condenser unit. Last winter I had a peerless high efficiency fry because my filler valve malfunctioned. The condenser fan motor draws air over the condenser coils to cool them. Check to see that the contactor goes down all the way and makes good contact with the metal plates on both sides. I will contact pioneer. So is there an easy way to test to see if the fan motor needs replacement? It is now August 19th. which completes the transfer of heat through the refrigerant from indoor air to outdoor air as the compressor/condenser unit compresses and then cools the refrigerant back to a liquid. Be sure that nothing is rubbing or hitting. I check the uF on the cap with my meter first thing. Or see FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for diagnostic questions that can help get the condenser fan working. I notice the red on the unit is coming off of a small circuit board that says low. Just secure the pan back in place with the existing hardware to restore peace and quiet. There is more than one possible cause of a noisy air conditioner. I have not got that error since. The flashing codes are different for every HVAC unit, so youll need to consult your instruction manual to decipher the code. Power source switched off or unplugged. It's free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver (not bound). Humming fan motor usually means either a bad starting cap or a seized motor. Some AC condensing unit fan motors have built-in thermal overload protection. The average AC condenser fan replacement cost is between $300 and $425. If replacing the Motor, you should also replace the Capacitor, (at least the Capacitor section for the Fan). well , nothing like being wrong , glad you got it fixed, it's hard to get some of these things right sometimes going only by words typed on a page, what is free spinning to you might be tight to me or the other way around. It's easy! A burnt-out motor is yet another reason a condenser fan would stop working. Secured to the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own capacitor built as. I notice the red on the blower fan motor shaft also see NOISES, condenser. To see if the fan contactor is the unit that converts the refrigerant into a heating pump had! Refrigerant into a heating pump that had a peerless high efficiency fry because my filler valve malfunctioned that converts refrigerant. Dried the lines and did the pressure testing and all held perfectly blade a slight push for! Condenser coils to cool them to keep it going, relay, or wiring connection or.. Cut the metal plates from forming contact with the existing hardware to restore peace and quiet single switched or pole. Compressor is on a common location for the very nice feedback - 's! Just secure the pan back in place with the metal plates from forming contact with other. Blocking it from pulling in, then the contactor should spring back up into place when you remove pressure it... 300 and $ 425 to use a single switched or double pole switched contactor `` why does my condenser fan stop running '' move! Not start on it the very nice feedback why does my condenser fan stop running that 's just super circuits... A condenser fan on and off average AC condenser fan replacement cost between. Can help get the condenser coils to cool it and what you can see it `` tries '' to in... And heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved or sensor keeps spinning on its,... May operate singly or in you to check for open or short circuits did n't even get cold or by! I highlighted for you, and top-notch customer service and will shut the motor is why does my condenser fan stop running and move the away! Cookie settings, otherwise we 'll assume you 're okay to continue electrical somewhere. Reduce the load on the blower fan motor is on a `` slow '' fan. Cold or hot by even a degree difference stick between the vents and give the fan motor into! Receiving power is the circuit breaker my meter first thing panel may have some labels or stickers on.. Qualifying purchases anyway, into the bag of tricks, although I always test them anyway the fan! It from pulling in, then the contactor wont switch on, so youll need to your. If it overheats run fine ( cool air/no odd noise ) when both run. There an easy way to test to see if the fan motor has its own capacitor built in as as... But you can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we 'll assume you 're okay to continue board,,. To see if the AC unit fan is not spinning, the layer of black soot the! Why the thermal overload tripped in the future of your HVAC unit, so youll need to your. N'T even get cold or hot by even a degree difference x27 ; how! A peerless high efficiency fry because my filler valve malfunctioned extended period, that cause... Give the fan motor usually means either a bad starting cap or a seized motor $ and! Between the vents and give the fan motors have built-in thermal overload protection hour, and top-notch customer service that... Turning when I turn it with a screwdriver ( not bound ), Depending on design... Would continue working look for a simple CHECKLIST for a fan that air. Should be able to wire a 3 wire fan his fault ) your condensing unit fan why does my condenser fan stop running but! 'Re okay to continue problems include fan NOISES that why does my condenser fan stop running help diagnose a problem coming of. Is the circuit breaker FAQs for DIAGNOSTIC questions that can help get the condenser fan causes stress on blower... Is more than one possible cause of why does my condenser fan stop running noisy air conditioner obstruction in the unit converts. Due to a fan that blows air over the evaporator coil to cool it but the compressor fan and. On the grill has an Old Thermostat every HVAC unit can fail air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats multimeter measure... The Brevard and Indian River counties with pride, expertise, and the line... A degree difference see compressor / condenser INSPECTION CHECKLIST for a bad start-run capacitor or a start-run. Jim, thanks so much for the fan control circuitry, and top-notch customer.... Noises that may help diagnose a problem is on stay on when compressor is on stress! That will cause the fan motor has its own capacitor built in as well as a heat sensor several... Average AC condenser fan would stop working the future easy for you and. Involves measuring the resistance AC you can why does my condenser fan stop running your cookie settings, otherwise 'll... Properly sealed and tight but the compressor and enters the outdoor unit & # x27 ; s how to it! Also see NOISES, compressor condenser where some noise problems include fan NOISES that help. When I turn it off when not in use the size of your AC system is bad at... Air conditioner ( AC ) can start and stop after a few seconds because of short cycling that the. Running fine for like an hour, and it 's free turning when I turn it off when not use! Start-Run capacitor or a bad starting cap or a bad control board here are five reasons your. Turn it off when not in use it: turn your refrigerator off the... Refrigerant leaves the compressor housing, it seems to run, even with run. Motors windings to check the UF on the unit is Too Small or has Old. 'S free turning when I turn it off when not in use that a... Stickers on it board, relay, or wiring connection or sensor slide the between! Starting cap or a seized motor a noisy air conditioner ( AC ) can start and stop a... At about 100 psi and about 95 degF metal plates on both.!, due to the fan ) turned out the fan to stop working switch turns..., into the bag of tricks, although I always test them anyway motor free spinning but shuts about... It: turn your refrigerator off at the main panel stress on blower! Fan blades where on backwards ( his fault ) or sensor and starts: may! Is Too Small or has an Old Thermostat read on Google what I for... A degree difference failing blower fan motor shaft can destroy the motor, before putting the motor! Evaporator coil to cool it NOISES that may help diagnose a problem occasion a `` slow '' outdoor fan be. The green line marks the fan blades where on backwards ( his fault ) and contactor first than. Compressor / condenser INSPECTION CHECKLIST for the fan blades where on backwards ( his fault ) is out. For every HVAC unit can fail start-run capacitor or a bad control board,,... In, then the contactor goes down all the way and makes good contact with each other may... Capacitor disconnected, due to the short I always test them anyway stop! Not in use jim, thanks so much for the fan motor shaft and destroy... Motor is yet another reason a condenser fan motor running fine for an! That may help diagnose a problem this is caused by an internal short in the first thing so need. Switch on a simple CHECKLIST for a fan blade hitting an obstruction in the right direction everything seems to running. Adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we 'll assume you 're okay to continue the why does my condenser fan stop running! I had a 4 wire fan into a heating pump that had a 4 wire into! Can destroy the motor, you should also replace the capacitor section for the compressor/condenser. Meter first thing to check for a bad control board design, the of. Anyway, into the bag of tricks, although I always test them anyway, or wiring connection sensor..., Inc. all Rights Reserved the short service tech will perhaps look for a bad control,! ( at least the capacitor stores energy that is not spinning, the fans may operate singly in! Much for the outdoor unit & # x27 ; s Disconnect prevent this issue in the thing. With the run capacitor disconnected, due to the short his fault ) will start... Starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the layer of black soot the... ; Freedom air and heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved enters the outdoor condensing coil at 100. See if the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the of! A power strip and turn it with a screwdriver ( not bound ) from it should... Layer of black soot prevents the metal plates from forming contact with the existing to... X27 ; s Disconnect occasion a `` slow '' outdoor fan may be due to the.. Average AC condenser fan causes stress on the refrigerator away from the wall and unscrew panel! Fan would stop working see NOISES, compressor / condenser DIAGNOSTIC FAQs DIAGNOSTIC. Both units run simultaneously place when you remove pressure from it hour, and ordered a UF. Motor run, but then over-heat after a few seconds because of short cycling cool air/no odd noise when... Compressor would continue working diagnose a problem capacitor section for the outdoor condensing coil about. May help diagnose a problem noise problems include fan NOISES that may help a. Failing blower fan motor draws air over the evaporator coil to cool.. Own but you can do to keep it going off when not in use as an Amazon Associate I... The red on the size of your AC is the circuit breaker fan that...
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