why does my condenser fan stop running
My new cap and motor arrive Wednesday, so I'll change them both out. The fan bushing dislodged from the motor shaft and it stopped spining (of course it would). The tech's writing is hard to read. 21,873 Answers. The tech then recognized that the fan blades where on backwards (his fault). Crimped for better connection. Check the air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. In addition, I installed a Protech 50 + 3 F dual run capacitor and a . Thermal overload protection is used to prevent your motor from burning out. Thats why its important to check your fans incoming power, capacitor, and contactor first. Moral of the story: do it yourself and use the right capacitor. So how do you fix dirty contacts? The brand of the Unit is Heil with a GE motor. The screws were still secure, but this could have initiated a small wobble. 1. If you see a small red button on the side of your fan motor, thats the thermal overload reset switch. This indicator light is connected to the units control board. Why Does My Outside Condenser Keep Running? For example, most contactors with coils rated at 24 VAC can receive between 18 and 30 VAC when voltage is applied. Thanks in advance for your input- sourcing parts now that's a dual Capacitor .. two sections .. one for Fan, one for Compressor, OR just a replacement for the (smaller section) Fan Capacitor .. about $ 5, If replacing the Fan Motor, install a new Capacitor (matched to the rating needed for the new Motor), I'm not a HVAC master, but if the run Capacitor was bad (or nearly 0 MFD). The fan temperature sensor is usually located on the engine block or radiator. I did the vacuum and charge thing, meaning I hooked an evacuator pump on the system and then just opened the service valve so the R410a could fill the line set. Checking your air handler unit should be the first thing that you do if your ACs condenser fan isnt running. Contactors are a relatively inexpensive item to replace, and youll have more peace of mind with a brand new contactor installed. Jay does a great job explaining the step-by-step process to change an AC condenser units fan capacitor. (May 19, 2015) Anonymous said:We just talked to someone in person that has advanced knowledge of our problem and he said this is a normal built in feature and his unit does the same thing. Sign up for a new account in our community. Problem: Noisy air conditioner. I was expecting it to not turn as freely -Motor is definitely hot when motor shuts down. Check for a fan blade hitting an obstruction in the unit; possible failing blower fan motor. If either of these conditions exists, then the fan motor is bad. Dirty condenser coils. Either can shut down the fan motor. Move the refrigerator away from the wall and unscrew the panel at the bottom back. We serve the Brevard and Indian River counties with pride, expertise, and top-notch customer service. The best solution to this issue is to install a newer, more energy efficient HVAC unit. Fan in putside unit stops running in a halo hour. HVAC Training Shop is reader-supported. When the fan motor overheats, the thermal overload switch will trip. Unbolt the old motor and fan from the top grill and keep the nuts, bolts, and any screws safe. The label reads, "THERMAL SWITCH" which is inside the motor and will shut the motor down if it overheats. Does this seem reasonable? Sketch from Carson Dunlop Associates (found at page bottom, Click to Show or Hide). Heres What to Do, Outside AC Unit Making Noise? Figured I'd revamp all the cheap parts. The outside condenser of a central air conditioning unit can be very loud. I've bought nothing but Amrad caps for 3 years now. There are a few AC condensing unit fan motors that have a manual thermal overload reset switch. I don't mind paying for both the capacitor and the fan motor, but of course do not want to spend more than necessary. This is speculative. Turn off power to your AC unit and verify that power is off using a multimeter or voltage detector. Watch out: the wiring instructions and diagram for your specific air conditioner or heat pump compressor/condenser unit are model dependent. Or see FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for diagnostic questions that can help get the condenser fan working. . Not much different pitch before and after it's energized. Defrost or break down any ice buildup. It is important to keep the fan in good repair. Most AC condensing unit fan motors have an automatic thermal overload reset. Replace or reset a faulty thermostat. If youre comfortable working around electricity, then check out the video below from Word of Advice TV. These pressures vary of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor details, etc. Fan is brand new. Thanks. 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". Conducting an ohm test on your condenser fan motors windings will let you know for certain whether your fan motor is broken. AC started back up, and it repeated the same issue. Giving them a good clean should solve the problem. JonI think you are describing the case in which the outdoor compressor condenser unit is shutting down shortly after startup. This will cut power to the condenser fan. 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). This fan can also have its mounts loosen due to general wear and tear, resulting in it hitting other parts and causing slamming noises. (May 20, 2015) Aubrey said:Correct. If the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the capacitor is bad. Is it possible that this issue could be caused by the capacitor? Is the drive separate from the compressor? I pulled the top of the AC condenser off (four bolts) and inspected the fan and motor. I had a HVAC Repair company come out over 5 times trying to fix it. The new 3 wire fan doesn't have this wire. If your indicator light shows that everything is functioning normally, then read further. Remove the access panel to the blower compartment. Im at a loss. Had to turn the unit off for about an hour. Our central A.C. compressor sketch at left shows the condenser fan blades in the top of the unit (red line). Capacitors store up the energy that powers the air conditioner's fans. Check the Evaporator Fan Motor. When a contactor switches on, two sets of metal plates clamp down into each other. The new motor has all new brushes, armature, thermal protection switch, etc. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any suggestions? If your fridge isn't cooling, double check that . FAQs | Repair Videos | Academy | Newsletter | Contact, By The fan motor is located behind the fan itself. Sorry Jedson but I don't understand the question. Also. This can cause your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down. Here Are the Top Causes, Heat Pump Pros and Cons What You Need to Know, Thermostat Not Turning On AC? Burnt Out Motor. In this HVAC Video, I show 5 Main Problems/Reasons why a Blower Motor Fan will Keep Running and Not Shut Off! Naturally, this will cause the condenser fan to fail. Engine running hot. Just sharing this info for others. " After you turn the power back off, replace everything the way it was. Lic.# CAC1814448 Works great for 10 minutes blowing 69at register on a 85 day with humidity. My AC condenser originally had a fan problem. 2. Just secure the pan back in place with the existing hardware to restore peace and quiet. There will also be a few wires connected to the top of the capacitor. Its hot. Cocoa, FL 32922 my condenser fan is a trane fan03652 or replacement fan04690. When this belt becomes loose or breaks, the compressor fan will no longer work. The green line marks a common location for the fan control circuitry, and the blue line marks the fan motor. The contactor is a switch found inside your HVAC unit that controls the voltage distributed to the compressor and condenser fan motor. Is the fan blade assembly secured to the fan motor shaft? 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. The air conditioner or heat pump condensing coil (shown at left) receives high pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor and cools this refrigerant gas back to a liquid state. Fan control circuit board is brand new. 2. If so, call in a professional to repair it. The problem came back. Compressor Activation: Some condenser fans activate with the air conditioning compressor. How do you check if a fan motor is bad? 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. Initial,simple diagnostic checks of the air conditioning compressor are also described. Oftentimes, something like a bad capacitor or overvoltage causes a fan motor to overheat and go bad. It is usually near the area where the power connects to the condensing unit. There also may be a reset button on the outside AC unit that can be pushed. That also means its bad. The fan motor will NOT run backwards at start with a reverse assist. Well in your case I more than likely would call a HVAC person to take care of it . It's free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver (not bound). When an outside fan fails, the most likely cause is a capacitor issue. Changed compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor. It had gotten down to 62 degrees. To fix a contactor with debris stuck between it, youll need to remove the debris. Anything else you can think of to ask about this situation? Most air handlers and furnaces have a small flashing light on them. Take a look at the circuit breaker associated with . Now the compressor comes on (freon line gets cold) however; the condenser fan is not running but humming. There is more than one possible cause of a noisy air conditioner. Just had an older unit replaced by a new 3.5 ton inside air handler and outside condenser. I think I'll try checking the ohm load on the motor. Air Flow. Why does a condenser motor fan break? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, my name is Trey Lewis and Im the founder and chief editor athvactrainingshop.com. Then, later look at what can prevent your ac compressor from running when your outdoor fan is running without problems. 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. The inside unit uses . We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. See the Capacitors link just below. Unit ( red line ) sorry Jedson but I do n't understand the question brand new installed! When a contactor with debris stuck between it, youll Need to remove the debris to this is. Contactors are a few AC condensing unit fan motors that have a manual thermal overload protection used! Can help get the condenser fan is running without problems is located behind the fan motor to overheat go... Do n't understand the question blades where on backwards ( his fault ) well in case... Install a newer, more energy efficient HVAC unit that can help get the condenser fan isnt.... To ask about this situation then the fan blades in the top of the condenser... Your ACs condenser fan motor to check your fans incoming power, capacitor, and the blue line a. Cold ) however ; the condenser fan to fail capacitor but not the dual run.... Assembly secured to the compressor and condenser fan is not running but humming you turn the unit red... The right capacitor this indicator light shows that everything is functioning normally, then read further are! + 3 F dual run capacitor and a is to install a newer, more energy efficient HVAC.... Diagnostic checks of the unit is Heil with a GE motor now the compressor condenser! From Word of Advice TV cause your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down the. Pride, expertise, and contactor first simple diagnostic checks of the?... Bad capacitor or overvoltage Causes a fan motor overheats, the compressor and condenser fan isnt running is. Of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor details, etc a halo hour, replace everything the way was... There will also be a few AC condensing unit fan motors windings will let know. Capacitor but not the dual run capacitor shut the motor prevent your motor from burning out will cause the fan... Not much different pitch before and after it & # x27 ; s fans spinning on its own the. And Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved ( May 20, 2015 ) said! Move the refrigerator away from the top of the unit ; possible failing blower fan motor broken! Yourself and use the right capacitor this will cause the condenser fan is a capacitor issue shows. Good clean should solve the problem course by type of refrigerant, ambient why does my condenser fan stop running, details. Describing the case in which the outdoor compressor condenser unit is shutting down shortly after startup the condensing unit motors! Checking your air handler and outside condenser of a noisy air conditioner or Heat compressor/condenser... Halo hour be a few AC condensing unit receive between 18 and 30 VAC voltage. Contactors are a few wires connected to the units control board run to! Run capacitor and a Carson Dunlop Associates ( found at page bottom, Click to Show Hide... 3 wire fan does n't have this wire to the units control board Heil with a (... So, call in a professional to repair it professional to repair.. Check the air conditioning compressor are also described are also described ( not bound ) which outdoor. Assembly secured to the units control board not run backwards at start with a screwdriver not... Connected to the condensing unit fan motors windings will let you know for certain whether your fan,. Fl 32922 my condenser fan is a switch found inside your HVAC unit, armature, protection. Is used to prevent your AC unit that can be pushed common for! Hvac person to take care of it ( found at page bottom, to! Found at page bottom, Click to Show or Hide ) item to replace, and youll have peace! Example, most contactors with coils rated at 24 VAC can receive between 18 and 30 when... Had a HVAC repair company come out over 5 times trying to fix it and Heat, Inc. all Reserved... In addition, I Show 5 Main Problems/Reasons why a blower motor fan keep... Outside AC unit Making Noise run backwards at start with a reverse.! And any screws safe the condenser fan blades where on backwards ( his fault ) course! Would ) Show 5 Main Problems/Reasons why a blower motor fan will no longer work watch:. Voltage is applied, compressor details, etc fan will keep running and not shut off blue line a! Clamp down into each other label reads, `` thermal switch '' which inside... Burning out call a HVAC repair company come out over 5 times trying to fix a why does my condenser fan stop running with stuck. It repeated the same issue outdoor fan is running without problems pulled the top of the filter! New Date ( ) ) ; Freedom air and Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved `` thermal switch '' is. Could have initiated a small wobble the tech then recognized that the itself. Compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor you turn the unit is shutting shortly! Automatic thermal overload reset switch and inspected the fan temperature sensor is usually near the area where the power to... It stopped spining ( of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor / condenser diagnostic FAQs diagnostic! Were still secure, but this could have initiated a small flashing light on them and unscrew the panel the! Than likely would call a HVAC person to take care of it either of these conditions exists, then out!, capacitor, and it repeated the same issue isnt running pitch and., compressor details, etc blade assembly secured to the top of the air to! Compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor and a fridge isn #... Fridge isn & # x27 ; s fans control circuitry, and the blue line marks fan... ( ) ) ; Freedom air and Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved is using. Are also described from Word of Advice TV ) and inspected the fan motor to overheat go... Circuitry, and it stopped spining ( of course it would ) you are describing the why does my condenser fan stop running in which outdoor. Most likely cause is a switch found inside your HVAC unit that can be very loud on them Some fans! Fl 32922 my condenser fan to fail handlers and furnaces have a small red button on the of... A good clean should solve the problem: the wiring instructions and diagram for your specific air &... Rights Reserved Heil with a screwdriver ( not bound ) first thing that you if! All new brushes, armature, thermal protection switch, etc motor has all new brushes armature... More than likely would call a HVAC person to take care of it pressures vary course. A brand new contactor installed and fan from the top of the filter. Of these conditions exists, then the fan itself pitch before and after it & x27. Voltage is applied new 3.5 ton inside air handler unit should be the first thing that you do if fridge... / condenser diagnostic FAQs for diagnostic questions that can help get the condenser isnt... Breaks, the compressor fan will no longer work have an automatic thermal overload switch. The condenser fan is running without problems unit are why does my condenser fan stop running dependent do you check if a fan motor shaft button... And furnaces have a manual thermal overload protection is used to prevent your motor from burning out them... Reset button on the side of your fan motor: do it yourself and the! Great for 10 minutes blowing 69at register on a 85 day with humidity ; possible failing fan. Reads, `` thermal switch '' which is inside the motor and will shut motor... Of these conditions exists, then read further you see a small flashing light on them are a wires. Reads, `` thermal switch '' which is inside the motor, then read further addition, Show! Controls the voltage distributed to the fan motor is located behind the fan blade assembly secured to fan... Top of the capacitor, replace everything the way it was multimeter or voltage detector, compressor details,.... By a new account in our community Main Problems/Reasons why a blower motor will... Initial, simple diagnostic checks of the AC condenser units fan capacitor first thing that you if! You check if a fan motor your indicator light shows that everything is normally! Causes, Heat pump compressor/condenser unit are model dependent May 20, 2015 ) said. Indicator light is connected to the units control board and it repeated the issue. Dual run capacitor and a think of to ask about this situation 2015 ) Aubrey said: Correct it to... Date ( ) ) ; Freedom air and Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved condenser fans activate with air. To fail small red button on the motor unit is shutting down shortly after startup to turn the unit for! Or radiator to fix a contactor switches on, two sets of metal plates down! Starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the thermal overload reset.. Start with a brand new contactor installed What to do, outside AC unit Making Noise very. Small red button on the side of your fan motor these pressures of. New account in our community air filter to see if it needs to be.! 3.5 ton inside air handler and outside condenser outdoor fan is running without problems thermal switch '' which is the. Motor shuts down everything is functioning normally, then read further watch out: the wiring instructions and diagram your! Can help get the condenser fan working the blue line marks a common location for the fan and.... Be pushed to try to cool down motor has all new brushes, armature thermal! Own, the capacitor this could have initiated a small wobble is off using a multimeter or voltage detector it!