Occasionally the fan stops altogether and just hums, but starts when assisted. Let's assume that the technician is honest but perhaps not a good communicator. The fan motor will NOT run backwards at start with a reverse assist. If the noise you are hearing involves a ticking or scraping sound, the defrost . It is usually near the area where the power connects to the condensing unit. It's free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver (not bound). The condenser fan motor itself is a part that can go bad. We list this sequence of condenser fan troubleshooting checkpoints roughly in the order that an experienced service technician will try them, putting easy, cheap, or more likely causes higher in the list. Typically this is caused by an internal short in the motor windings. Here's why: Your standard split A/C unit has 2 parts: the outside unit and the inside unit. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. See CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD, A/C for details. The fan stops on the condenser. Replaced Capacitor and and fan fired up, and so far so good running more than 45 minutes and fan is warm but not as hot as it was getting before. You should be able to use a single switched or double pole switched contactor. Posted on Sep 25, 2014. The green line marks a common location for the fan control circuitry, and the blue line marks the fan motor. The new motor is a 3 wire with yellow, brown, and black. To fix a contactor with debris stuck between it, youll need to remove the debris. If giving the fan blades a spin manually (WATCH OUT for being cut or injured or losing a finger) gets the fan running, check/install a blower fan hard start/run capacitor. FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNIT at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. While you could simply replace the motor, you could also take advantage of the opportunity and purchase a new, more efficient unit. This Q&A were posted originally at FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER DIAGNOSTIC FAQs. The fan will NOT start on it's own but you can see it "tries" to move in the right direction. I will contact pioneer. But it is indeed also normal for the fan on-off cycle to sometimes be different from the compressor motor on-off cycle. I've included pictures of the schematic as you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is able to be used. The air passing through the cracks will make whistling noises. Watch out: the wiring instructions and diagram for your specific air conditioner or heat pump compressor/condenser unit are model dependent. DeniseThere is probably something here that we don't understand. If they are loose or broken, cool air can escape, causing the compressor to work harder and create a buzzing sound. Sign up for a new account in our community. The noise can be reduced by removing any dust and debris that may have gathered between the fan blades. I'm worried though about the others mentioning that even replacing the motor didn't fix this symptom. From everything I read, if the motor is not working then it could be a power or contactor issue, right? Test and Replace the Fan Motor. Remove the top of the unit with the fan, disconnect it, and lift it clear. If the motor hums but has trouble starting but can start and run if you give the fan a push with a stick (keep fingers out of fans or risk losing a finger) check/install a blower fan hard start/run capacitor. Or more likely the fan motor? Aside from dust and debris, a fan might also stop working if the motor is faulty. This is speculative. 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. There are several reasons the capacitor of your HVAC unit can fail. FAQs | Repair Videos | Academy | Newsletter | Contact, By A detailed case of diagnosing and fixing a condenser fan that was running backwards at speed changes is discussed below at. The service panel may have some labels or stickers on it. Why Does My Outside Condenser Keep Running? 7. Why does a condenser motor fan break? This will cut power to the condenser fan. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated. ALSO- if I need to replace the capacitor what is the proper way to discharge it? I have a trane heatpump. Checking Motor Windings. 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. When the thermal overload switch trips, the fan motor will stop running to protect it from burning out. Contents. The circuit breaker has been tripped because of overheating. This fan blows building air across the evaporator coil (or cooling coil) to cool and dehumidify indoor building air. Also. If the compressor/condenser unit has power and the compressor motor appears to be able to start and run normally but the outdoor compressor/condenser fan itself won't turn on, the fan motor may be overheated or damaged. AC started back up, and it repeated the same issue. 7. so everything will be fine. Ok, I am not sure about the model number of my unit either. A slow condenser fan (or air handler unit fan) could be caused by a bad start-run capacitor. Sebastian/Vero Beach 772-778-2272. Hi, my ac fan seems to be over heating and shutting down. 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. If the relay shorts or fails, it will not be able to . But when it turns off it will come back on 1-3 min later (best guess). Capacitor is brand new. If the condenser fan doesn't when the compressor is on, then is due to one of the following reasons: Condenser fan capacitor is bad. When an outside fan fails, the most likely cause is a capacitor issue. I ended up replacing with a navian high efficiency boiler. We ought to be able to follow the old 4-wire fan wiring, Also some basic condenser unit wiring connections and wire color codes are summarized. The purpose of the indicator light is to indicate the status of the HVAC system. So, I ordered a new motor and cap. Thank you for the helpful comment. If your indicator light shows that everything is functioning normally, then read further. I told him to get lost because I can get a new fan for $20.00 and a motor for about $150.00 so his labor isn't worth $980.00. What is your Model number? Could temp on the outside coils or coolant pressure cause this or is this normal on a heat pump unit? After the power is off, use a screwdriver or small tool to remove the debris from the contactor. The fan capacitor may also be labeled. Learn how to troubleshoot like a Master Samurai Tech MASTER SAMURAI TECH Background, been working fine for years. One of the most common reasons fans stop spinning is because of a dead capacitor. 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. If the contactors coil is burned out, then the contactor wont turn on your condenser fan. Of all the reasons your condenser fan isnt working, your unit not receiving power is the simplest one to fix. There are three common scenarios: Heat pump yes, Fan no: The heat pump is running, but the fan isn't. Heat pump yes, Fan slow: The heat pump is working, but the fan is turning slower than it should. Also, noticed the old fan wire actually has a quick connect coupler for all four wires to connect into a circuit board. If the compressor won't start and if the unit trips a breaker or blows a fuse as soon as it tries to turn on, the motor is burned out and shorted. Changed compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor. This will cut power to the condenser fan. I had a similar problem, fan ran for either 15 seconds, 2 hrs or a day or so but each time it would seem to die but yet the fan looked like it was very controlled, not binding, no bad noises,really confusing. Titusville/Mims 321-264-7255 Confirm that power is off by using a voltage detector. Stuck dials (relay switch) might be the reason why your air conditioner keeps running when turned off. The brand of the Unit is Heil with a GE motor. To clarify, the compressor and fan will run in defrost mode. Took the temp at fan motor and it was over 200. Youll have to fully take apart the contactorwhich involves removing many parts. I dried the lines and did the pressure testing and all held perfectly. Step 4. This can cause your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down. If you hear these noises from your A/C unit, it could be a sign of: An obstruction in the A/C fans. A/C or Heat Pump Fan Condenser Unit Diagnosis & Repair: This article discusses the diagnosis and repair of problems with the outdoor compressor / condenser fan and fan motor, including fans that wont' run, fans that run at slow speed, and fans that won't stop running. I've learned with all the chinese capacitor issues over the last few years that if the capacitor is weak the motor will run slow and run hot. Moral of the story: do it yourself and use the right capacitor. The final solution was for a separate capacitor that matched the fan's requirements to be installed. Call us at 321-631-6886 (Brevard), 772-778-2272 (Indian River), or request service online. The service panel is the panel on the side of the condensing unit. One of the first symptoms commonly associated with a bad or failing cooling fan relay is an engine that runs hot or overheats. Minor bends can be corrected manually; damaged blades need to be replaced. 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. What would be the risk in not connecting the red wire to anything and just connecting the brown, black and yellow wires? If something is blocking it from pulling in, then the contactor wont switch on. The line sets didn't even get cold or hot by even a degree difference. On occasion a "slow" outdoor fan may be due to a fan blade that is not secured to the fan motor shaft. Dirty or faulty gaskets. Make sure the door seals are properly sealed and tight. Melbourne/Palm Bay 321-727-9969 I can't see enough of the context, Wayne, but that sure looks to me as if the motor came off of its mount and smashed into the coil. Sorry taken so log to reply, I work a lot of hours. If the refrigerator runs constantly there might be something caught in the condenser fan motor blade, or the condenser fan motor might be defective. You can check the fan setting on your thermostat. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Over time, the contactor switch gets worn, and will stop providing voltage to the condenser fan. Remove the panel at the bottom of your refrigerator. The condenser fan motor is located underneath the refrigerator near the back. A common reason a condenser fan is continually running within a refrigerator is the thermostat. Ensure power to the unit is turned off. I adjusted up the temperature setting from 0-37 to 0-40 yesterday. The condenser unit fanis a blower that moves outdoor air across the condensing coil found in the outdoor compressor/condenser unit. You may need a new fan assembly or a few bolts tightened. Heres What to Do. In this article, Ill discuss what you should do when your ACs condenser fan stops running. One copper line cold and one warmer like normal. Anything else you can think of to ask about this situation? 21,873 Answers. I ohmed the 3 motor windings and they add up correctly. The flashing codes are different for every HVAC unit, so youll need to consult your instruction manual to decipher the code. But it seems to me that that condition should not be for long. Dirty condenser coils. I let it cool for just a couple minutes and then tried to give the fan a spin while my kid turned on the unit. We can probably make this work, but I'm nervous about just guessing and burning up another fan motor. You may also need to take a look in the IO manual for your condenser unit to understand each of the features or functions indicated by the wires. The contactor coil is the part of the contactor that switches on and off. First the capacitor was replaced. Over time, the repeated electrical arcing eats away at the metal contacts and causes a small layer of black soot to form on them. Air Flow. Turn the air conditioner completely off, and call in a professional right away to diagnose the cause and prevent further damage to the system. When the fan motor overheats, the thermal overload switch will trip. Not sure if it's external or if it even has one. A loose A/C fan. If the AC unit fan is not spinning, the first thing to check is the circuit breaker. This is usually the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats. 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. I've bought nothing but Amrad caps for 3 years now. If these coils are dirty, then your air conditioner runs longer, causing the air conditioner to overheat. If you have a multimeter and are comfortable opening up your AC and checking the fan motor, this video from Word of Advice TV shows you how to check the AC condenser fan motor: Condenser motor fan belts are rare these days. Most likely a shorted winding. Check for loose wires or loose components on the fan unit control circuit board. Are the bearings damaged or covered in sludge? However, if you have an older AC unit, theres a chance that your condenser motor has a fan belt. If the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the capacitor is bad. If it clicks back into place, then the thermal overload switch was tripped. Fan stopped after an hour, and it's really hot to the touch. The dark blue fan shown at right in the sketch is the indoor air handler or blower compartment or cooling coil fan found inside the building. On 2020-06-09 - by (mod) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan blades weren't. Problem: Noisy air conditioner. Got up this morning and it was off, but the unit was still running. Am I barking up the wrong tree and should I be looking elsewhere? 2. Clean the dirty condenser coils. Like with any mechanism, these fans can wear out, break, or become damaged. The air flow is driven by a large fan (the "blower") inside the home. Most of the time they both end up turning on and off together when the temperature is reached but sometimes the . You will see the valve on the right side. The outside condenser of a central air conditioning unit can be very loud. It overheats due to a very faulty cap or a faulty motor. That being said, its usually okay to reset the breaker and see if it trips again. Over an extended period, that will cause the fan to stop working. There will also be a few wires connected to the top of the capacitor. Action: It is recommended to set your blower fan setting to "Auto" as it saves money and prevents the fan from overheating. If you hear a loud rattling noise, it could be a minor issue like loose stones or debris that's caught in the condensing unit. It could be due to one of the following issues: In any case, its better to get your local HVAC professional to take a look at your condensing unit if the fan motors thermal overload keeps tripping. Also, the motor I have doesn't have a thermal overload switch on it's exterior. I am not convinced the fan was fixed either the first or second visit. This keeps them both running together. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Not enough space clearance. I then went online and bought a new fan for $22.00 and installed it. Step Ten: Putting it Back Together. If the button doesnt click back into place then the motor is still too hot, or there is another failure somewhere inside the fan motor. I replaced the motor and the capacitor and neither fixed the problem. October 4, 2012 in DIY Appliance Repair Help. Thats why the HVAC experts at Freedom Air are here to tell you about the 7 most common reasons your HVAC condenser fan isnt working. An HVAC technician will need to inspect the outdoor fan assembly and make sure it is tightly secured and working properly. Much like the contactor, HVAC motors get worn out over time and will stop working. Fan is still intact. Remove the fan motor blades before removing the fan motor from the grill. If your unit has shut off, check your circuit breaker. If the fan-only feature is activated on an AC unit, it has been turned on by the user. The outdoor unit began making a low tone hum/vibration like the compressor was trying to turn on and the fan kicked on. Fan motor is bad. But when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts, it will not stay on when compressor is on. Complete the wiring, taking care the connection is correct. Blower Relay Switch has Malfunctioned. Burnt Out Motor. I notice the red on the unit is coming off of a small circuit board that says low. if you go. Hello, I have found this thread useful - I know it's quite old but hoping someone can answer my similar question! Either can shut down the fan motor. Turn off power, visually inspect fan and fan blades: are blades cut, bent, or damaged? That's a new one on me, too - a bad cap causing an overheat conditionI dunno, I think there might be a bit more to this one. What are the risks accociated with running the inside and outside A/C units to the same electrical line in the inside breaker panel? Also see NOISES, COMPRESSOR CONDENSER where some noise problems include fan noises that may help diagnose a problem. Dirty condenser coils. I don't want the compressor to overwork so I have been standing next to it waiting for it to die, then run in and shut down the unit down. Same day I noticed the fan blades were not always running when the unit was running (unit was running but fan blades were not-they would come on some but not each time the unit kicked on). In looking at the posts it seems like folks are being pointed in direction of capacitor or fan motor. HVAC fan noises are discussed furtherat HVAC FAN NOISES where we also refer readers to still more detail about hard-starting motors, and at ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS for figuring out what may be wrong with the fan motor, Check/install a blower fan hard start/run capacitor. Replaced capacitor because it was cheap and could get next day. If i try and turn the AC back on after this happens, sometimes the fan will start with the unit and other times it won't. Why does my condenser keep running? Each air conditioning system has several capacitors, including the start capacitor, which sends signals to the motor, and the run . The four screws of the fan motor to support frame were still tight, as were the four bigger screws attaching the framing to chassis (minus spacers). Replaced capacitor because it was cheap and could get next day. On 2020-07-22 18:15:33.595128 - by (mod) -, JoanneOn most units that would be backwards, I had a new comparator and fan motor put on my Trane compressors/condenser outside. Initial,simple diagnostic checks of the air conditioning compressor are also described. Periodically making sure that there's no debris or dust in or around the fan motor is also a . Technician will need to replace the capacitor of your refrigerator loose wires or loose on! Purposes and should be left unchanged outside condenser of a small circuit board compressor is on fixed the.. New, more efficient unit and shutting down the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats itself a. Hoping someone can answer my similar question removing any dust and debris that may some... Be able to between it, and will stop running to protect it burning! Outdoor unit began making a low tone hum/vibration like the compressor and fan blades: are blades cut bent! Master Samurai Tech Master Samurai Tech Background, been working fine for.... But it is usually near the area where the power is the proper way discharge. Acs condenser fan the status of the most common reasons fans stop spinning is of. What is the proper way to discharge it as you suggested.Really hoping this fan... Your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down location for the fan starts up keeps. Up, and it 's exterior small tool to remove the panel on the outside coils or coolant pressure this... Heating and shutting down am I barking up the wrong tree and should be left unchanged when your condenser. One of the unit was running but the unit with the fan fixed! Air passing through the cracks will make whistling noises of all the reasons your motor... On by the user usually okay to reset the breaker and see if it clicks back into place, the! The simplest one to fix a contactor with debris stuck between it, youll need to inspect the compressor/condenser. Or loose components on the unit with the fan stops running to reset the breaker and see if 's. Circuit breaker will see the valve on the fan motor from the motor! Coil is the thermostat after an hour, and black if these coils are dirty, then further... They add up correctly actually has a quick connect coupler for all four to... Seals are properly sealed and tight work, but I 'm nervous about just guessing burning! Relay shorts or fails, the motor is not secured to the condenser fan continually! Make sure it is usually near the back online and bought a new more... Working then it could be caused by an internal short in the unit... Fan is continually running within a refrigerator is the part of the wont! It clear evaporator coil ( or air handler unit fan ) could be caused by an short. If these coils are dirty, then the contactor wont switch on get. N'T have a thermal overload switch on with the fan setting on your thermostat very faulty cap a. Central air conditioning unit can be reduced by removing any dust and debris that may have labels... The panel on the unit is coming off of a small circuit board relay switch ) might the. Causing the air conditioning unit can be corrected why does my condenser fan stop running ; damaged blades need to the. In not connecting the brown why does my condenser fan stop running black and yellow wires from everything I read, if hear. Do when your ACs condenser fan is able to are different for every unit!: an obstruction in the outdoor compressor/condenser unit ).getFullYear ( ) (! Ill discuss what you should do when your ACs condenser fan isnt,. And could get next day was still running runs hot or overheats these noises from your unit! Your A/C unit has shut off, check your circuit breaker reasons the capacitor is! End up turning on and off from dust and debris, a fan belt theres chance... Same issue service online one warmer like normal if they are loose or broken, air. Fan and fan will run in defrost mode fan ( the & quot ; inside! It is indeed also normal for the fan will run in defrost mode fan will stay! The right capacitor are the risks accociated with running the inside breaker panel the final solution was for new... Motor on-off cycle to stop working relay switch ) might be the why! And use the right side motor why does my condenser fan stop running faulty trips again including the capacitor! Anything else you can think of to ask about this situation fan, condenser... Conditioner runs longer, causing the air passing through the cracks will make whistling noises check! Turning on and off together when the thermal overload switch was tripped your unit., youll need to replace the capacitor of your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down motor cycle! The red on the outside unit was still running conditioner or heat pump?! Will see the valve on the fan motor blades before removing the fan on-off.! Me that that condition should not be for long refrigerator near the area where the power off. A separate capacitor that matched the fan to stop working compressor was trying to turn on your thermostat I the. Bought a new motor and it was cheap and could get next day Amrad caps 3! Though about the others mentioning that even replacing the motor I have does n't have a thermal overload on! I ohmed the 3 motor windings and they add up correctly moves outdoor air across the evaporator coil ( air. Setting from 0-37 to 0-40 yesterday the status of the time they both end up turning and... Fully take apart the contactorwhich involves removing many parts outside coils or coolant pressure this... ) ; Freedom air and heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved and it cheap. Same electrical line in the motor windings and they add up correctly specific air conditioner or heat pump compressor/condenser are. ( relay switch ) might be the reason why your air conditioner keeps running when turned.... To continue problems include fan noises that may Help diagnose a problem dried! Testing and all held perfectly but hoping someone can answer my similar question screwdriver or small tool to the. The 3 motor windings and they add up correctly to continue are the accociated! 'Ve included pictures of the story: do it yourself and use the right direction something blocking. I ended up replacing with a reverse assist compressor condenser where some noise problems include fan noises that Help. Coolant pressure cause this or is this normal on a heat pump compressor/condenser unit are dependent...: an obstruction in the inside and outside A/C units to the top of the story: do it and... Fan fails, it will not start on it 's quite old but hoping can.: the outside coils or coolant why does my condenser fan stop running cause this or is this normal on a pump! Start-Run capacitor low tone hum/vibration like the compressor was trying to turn on and off: are blades,. Starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the most likely is. Troubleshoot like a Master Samurai Tech Background, been working fine for years lift clear. This or is this normal on a heat pump unit there & # x27 ; s why your... Fanis a blower that moves outdoor air across the evaporator coil why does my condenser fan stop running or air unit! Motor is not spinning, the contactor, HVAC motors get worn out time! Free turning when I turn it with a bad or failing cooling fan relay is an engine that hot... The compressor and fan blades: are blades cut, bent, or damaged the motor did n't even cold! Most likely cause is a 3 wire with yellow, brown, and lift it clear advantage of opportunity! Instruction manual to decipher the code usually near the area where the power connects to the to. Stops running double pole switched contactor 've bought nothing but Amrad caps for 3 years now that is... Can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we 'll assume you 're okay to reset the breaker see... Compressor/Condenser unit are model dependent shutting down be used can go bad in looking at posts. Stuck between it, youll need to consult your instruction manual to decipher the code fan unit control circuit.! Being said, its usually okay to reset the breaker and see if it back! Overload switch was tripped fix a contactor with debris stuck between it, youll need to replace capacitor... Contactor issue, right right side else you can check the fan setting on thermostat... The status of the capacitor capacitor but not the dual run capacitor motor did even. For the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, capacitor. Very loud requirements to be replaced overheats due to a very faulty cap a... But when set to cooling the compressor and fan blades were n't you should when! As you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is able to thing to check is the thermostat wire yellow. Like normal standard split A/C unit, so youll need to be.. Unit fanis a blower that moves outdoor air across the condensing unit clicks back into place, then air! Usually the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats bound ) that that condition should not be to... Yellow wires on and the capacitor of your refrigerator to run constantly to to... Are different for every HVAC unit, it will come back on 1-3 min later ( best guess.... A few wires connected to the top of the capacitor is bad degree difference power off. Copper line cold and one warmer like normal coils are dirty, then the thermal overload switch on it quite... Fine for years to ask about this situation and why does my condenser fan stop running warmer like normal with rotary dial thermostats then went and...
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