The condensing unit circuit breaker may be labeled as AC, Condensing unit, or Outdoor unit. The brand of the Unit is Heil with a GE motor. If replacing the Motor, you should also replace the Capacitor, (at least the Capacitor section for the Fan). See if you can find the wiring diagram for your condenser unit - often on a sticker in the unit, or always in the IO manual for the unit. The inside unit uses . 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. In this article, Ill discuss what you should do when your ACs condenser fan stops running. if you go. Compressor Activation: Some condenser fans activate with the air conditioning compressor. Condenser Fan stops running- Fan or capacitor? If you get infinity readings coming from any of the connections, the motor is faulty and . Sebastian/Vero Beach 772-778-2272. Or should I just replace fan and see what happens? ", regarding "But when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts, it will not stay on when compressor is on". Or more likely the fan motor? The next thing that you should do is check for power at the condenser unit. New motor has same specs as old motor (TradePro TP-C16-1SP2 6-wire motor) except old motor was rated at 1.2 A. Below we'll discuss ways to troubleshoot these possible causes for your refrigerator not cooling like it is supposed to. Check for a refrigerant leak. I was unsure if perhaps having the fan unit so hot might have been part of the problem and causing the fan to shut down. Bad fan bearings can also result in a noisy fan, as the shaft and blades wobble. If there's no outside reset switch, use the indoor system to reset both AC units. After the service panel is removed, find the fan capacitor. The fan spins freely when no power is applied to it; when contacts kick in and power to fan it is "locked in one place" and no longer can be moved (using a small wooden dowel). Note that blower fans found in the indoor air handler unit of air conditioning and heat pump systems often support two or even more run speeds, but the outdoor compressor/condenser fan unit usually runs only at a single (high) speed so low speed on the outdoor fan would be unusual. The guages were around 270 (according to my buddy as he read the numbers to me) or so while trying to cool. One copper line cold and one warmer like normal. I can hear the coil from the tinny fan control circuit board turning the fan off and then back on during this problem. All of the above-listed air conditioner or heat pump components are discussed in detail throughout this website using the links at the left of these pages. Minor bends can be corrected manually; damaged blades need to be replaced. So how do you fix dirty contacts? evaluation of air conditioner compressor noises, hard starting, lost cooling capacity, and detection of a burned out compressor or A/C compressors at or near end of their life. In addition, I installed a Protech 50 + 3 F dual run capacitor and a . What are the risks accociated with running the inside and outside A/C units to the same electrical line in the inside breaker panel? 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. 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. Next, press the thermal overload reset button. Did find a lose red wire on the contactor. A refrigerator's strong fan noise is typically created by the condenser fan or compressor. if you go with a oem motor it will connect to the cap already there, you do not need to discharge this cap , it's mfd's are to low to be of any danger , but be aware if you have a black plastic cap in there too (compressor start cap) you will need to discharge that one before you stick your hand in there, regus: newer caps do not get weak , its a good or bad with them , really old caps can dry out and get weak but this is not the case in this case . But it is indeed also normal for the fan on-off cycle to sometimes be different from the compressor motor on-off cycle. The reversing valve must be working (im guessing) because when i call for heat, the fan will come to a stop, pause and then reverse direction. The fan would run for a while then stop. Then they replaced 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. 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. Condenser coils are refrigerant-filled tubes running through your air conditioner's outside unit. This sensor takes readings from the refrigerator (and freezer if you have one . Jim, thanks so much for the very nice feedback - that's just super. Why does a condenser motor fan break? 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. Many contactor contacts get dirty after a few years of use. 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. The circuit breaker is in the breaker panel inside your home. Anything else you can think of to ask about this situation? Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. If the outside unit stops working, but the inside unit continues to run with the blower fan operating, you're still out of luck. Compressor still running. If the condenser fan doesnt run when the compressor does, most ACs will shut down due to an imbalance of pressures. First, make sure that the fan motor has cooled down to ambient temperature. Also, the motor I have doesn't have a thermal overload switch on it's exterior. The air flow is driven by a large fan (the "blower") inside the home. Step 4. Sign up for a new account in our community. To remedy an A/C fan obstruction, all you have to do is lift the outdoor unit cover and wipe the fans clean. Cocoa/Merritt Island/Rockledge 321-631-6886 This blockage will strain your compressor fan. So it seems to cool very slowly. Ordered a new one off Amazon with the same CAP rating. Replaced capacitor because it was cheap and could get next day. If the condenser fan in your unit gets faulty, it can result in a blown fuse as the system has to work harder to keep your space cool. In that case, youll have to look at the wiring diagram to figure out which is which. 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. The dirty air filters prevent the air from getting through them, making the blower motor forcefully pull air into the unit. Filter,and coils clean; ventsare open. If your condensing units fan capacitor is bad, then it needs to be replaced. 1. When the air filter isnt regularly changed, particulates collect on the filter and eventually prevent air from passing through. Alternatively, you can call your local HVAC repair services company to come and take a look. This Q&A were posted originally at FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER DIAGNOSTIC FAQs. Step Four: Check The Outdoor Unit's Disconnect. Naturally, this will cause the condenser fan to fail. Here's why: Your standard split A/C unit has 2 parts: the outside unit and the inside unit. with power removed, try turning the Motor, Appliance Repair Training Webinar Recordings. thank you, My AC suddenly started having the same issues mentioned in this thread. An ohm test involves measuring the resistance across the fan motors windings to check for open or short circuits. My unit is 22 years old! Still same issue. That also means its bad. Over time, the repeated electrical arcing eats away at the metal contacts and causes a small layer of black soot to form on them. Well in your case I more than likely would call a HVAC person to take care of it . A bad condenser fan has the capacity to cause the refrigerator to run non-stop. The motor cost me $165.00 from Amazon, and the cap came from another supplier..so $180.00 is the cost which is still a far cry from "Fly By Night AC Company" that came out before. One of the most common reasons fans stop spinning is because of a dead capacitor. This will cut power to the condenser fan. Clogged air filter. The fan is blowing hot air out the sides and you feel cool air on top Is it running in the right direction, On 2020-07-13 - by (mod) - an turns off outside and doesn't come back on until I switch the ac off. Call FREEDOM AIR! Some units will automatically shut off when they sense the filter is blocked. If the fan-only feature is activated on an AC unit, it has been turned on by the user. The fan and motor are only about 5 months old - I replaced them due to this issue and the new fan motor did not fix it. Turn the air conditioner completely off, and call in a professional right away to diagnose the cause and prevent further damage to the system. You can check the fan setting on your thermostat. A stuck contactor could be the reason why you outside ac fan won't turn off. Could this just be the run capacitor? I bought a new dual-run capacitor from Grainger and replaced it yesterday. A couple days ago the fan stopped while I was out in my pool next to it. The condenser in your AC is the unit that converts the refrigerant into a liquid. Most AC condensing unit fan motors have an automatic thermal overload reset. If you notice that your engine is running at higher temperatures than normal, that may be a sign that the relay is not functioning properly. Tech came out and replaced the fan motor. It is usually a larger breakersomewhere around 50 to 100 amps, depending on the size of your AC system. If you see that the fan starts spinning, this means the problem is probably with the start capacitor. Short cycling occurs when the air conditioner becomes stuck in the start-up cycle. The fan should not run with only one side powered. I though at first that I just needed to replace the start assist capacitor, but now I am wondering if maybe the fan is crapping out. The Outdoor cooling fan (the subject of this article) moves outdoor air across the condensing coil to cool it and assist in condensing the high pressure, high temperature refrigerant gas back into a liquid.It is this process I don't want to spend the money if it is a capacitor. Let's assume that the technician is honest but perhaps not a good communicator. DISCLOSURE: We may earn a commission when you use one of our coupons/links to make a purchase. 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. 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". Any help would be great! Shut off your AC and check the fan capacitor, contactor, and motor if the condenser fan isn't running when the compressor is on. If the fan motor turned on and then turned off what is the defect of my arcondition? Sorry Jedson but I don't understand the question. I don't mind paying for both the capacitor and the fan motor, but of course do not want to spend more than necessary. Vacuumed out the bottom of the unit with about ten years of crud in it since I had the thing apart. This fan is usually called the condenser fan. As the fan keeps spinning, dust and maybe even small debris will build up around the fan. Mechanical Issues. Sometimes there is a one-off fluke in the system that causes a circuit breaker to trip when everything else is otherwise normal. This can cause your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down. Got up this morning and it was off, but the unit was still running. A faulty cooling fan relay can also negatively affect air conditioning (A/C) performance.The reason being, on most vehicles, is that the cooling fan doubles as a condenser fan.When the A/C is turned on, the fan moves air across the A/C condenser, thereby removing heat from the refrigerant, which changes from a vapor to a liquid state as it gives off heat it . Replace a malfunctioning condenser fan motor. The condenser fan motor itself is a part that can go bad. The new motor is a 3 wire with yellow, brown, and black. Remove the service panel on the condensing unit, The AC compressor is on but the fan isnt running, No Water Coming Out of Your AC Drain Pipe? Cocoa, FL 32922 As a result, the unit turns on and off immediately without going through the normal AC cycle time. If the AC unit fan is not spinning, the first thing to check is the circuit breaker. Just secure the pan back in place with the existing hardware to restore peace and quiet. Was interesting to learn. Fan Only Switch. Stuck dials (relay switch) might be the reason why your air conditioner keeps running when turned off. Problems With Power The fan temperature sensor is usually located on the engine block or radiator. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. On 2020-06-17 - by (mod) - Humming fan motor. My outdoor fan comes on with the AC unit and runs for about 20-25m and then the fan shuts off while the unit is still running. Most of the time they both end up turning on and off together when the temperature is reached but sometimes the . Broken Motor. Perhaps the most unexpected reason the compressor fan isnt working is due to the air filter. If you use a screwdriver to remove the paneling of the fan and then turn off the electricity to the fridge, you can use a multimeter to test the motors wiring for continuity. An easier way of checking your capacitor is to use a voltmeter. Using a mechanic's stethoscope on the compressor housing, it seems to be running. Why does that happen? Whats thermal overload protection used for? When the condenser fan is well-maintained, it prolongs the life of the entire HVAC unit. Electrical contact cleaner is a solution that is used to remove the black soot from electrical contacts. Am I able to wire a 3 wire fan into a heating pump that had a 4 wire fan? 2. Clogged Air Filter. 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. One copper line cold and one warmer like normal. 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). There also may be a reset button on the outside AC unit that can be pushed. 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 I wait until way later (hours), the fan will start with the unit and run another 20-25m before turning off (while the unit is still running). I installed that cap and the motor shut down in five minutes. Contact us if you have suggestions. This is usually the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats. Simply put, the dials usually meet to complete the circuit and turn on the compressor if the room temperatures are high. The fan bushing dislodged from the motor shaft and it stopped spining (of course it would). DeniseThere is probably something here that we don't understand. As long as the capacitor is good, and the condenser fan motor is getting power then the fan motor should turn on. Minisplit ac condenser unit. 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. October 4, 2012 in DIY Appliance Repair Help. The fan will NOT start on it's own but you can see it "tries" to move in the right direction. If youre comfortable working around electricity, then check out the video below from Word of Advice TV. 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. When the motor craps out it doesn't make a noise or come to a grinding halt it just stops. Remove the top of the unit with the fan, disconnect it, and lift it clear. This can leave the fan motor running. Hi, my name is Trey Lewis and Im the founder and chief editor at HVAC Training Shop. Ordered a new contactor, again, cheap. The AC's capacitors are small, cylinder components that send energy signals to power the fan motor and the rest of the AC unit. You have a bad condensor fan. The service panel is the panel on the side of the condensing unit. JoyceFrom the very little we know about that situation that you described it would make sense to leave the circuit off completely for safety. I am semi handy-don't have an ohm meter (couldn't read it if I did) however some of these comments about the electrical are scary. Heres What to Do, AC Contactor Not Pulling In? Giving them a good clean should solve the problem. New to this site however have an issue similar to above. On occasion a "slow" outdoor fan may be due to a fan blade that is not secured to the fan motor shaft. Fan in putside unit stops running in a halo hour. When I turned it back on the fan came on. Secure the Drain Pan. Check to see that the contactor goes down all the way and makes good contact with the metal plates on both sides. Last winter I had a peerless high efficiency fry because my filler valve malfunctioned. The Outdoor Condenser Unit is Blocked. The contactor coil is the part of the contactor that switches on and off. Any idea what this could be? Fan spun fine for a few minutes, the crapped out. Here are a few reasons: As you can see from my list above, fan motors rarely go bad by themselvesits usually an external factor or another component in the AC that causes the motor to go bad. Check that power is on to the outdoor unit and that the indoor thermostat is calling for cooling and set to cooling mode. For a few years of crud in it since I had the thing.... Breaker may be a reset button on the engine block or radiator the unit circuit board turning motor! Acs will shut down in five minutes fan starts spinning, the first thing to check for or... 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