why does my condenser fan stop running

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. The circuit breaker has been tripped because of overheating. One copper line cold and one warmer like normal. I've included pictures of the schematic as you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is able to be used. Most likely a shorted winding. 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. AC started back up, and it repeated the same issue. The condenser fan is the key to the lifespan of your HVAC unit. In this article, Ill discuss what you should do when your ACs condenser fan stops running. 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. The unit is 8 years old. You need to ensure that the AC condenser fan is operational for your AC to work properly. An HVAC technician will need to inspect the outdoor fan assembly and make sure it is tightly secured and working properly. Theres usually a reason that it trippeda malfunction. Watch out: the wiring instructions and diagram for your specific air conditioner or heat pump compressor/condenser unit are model dependent. Typically this is caused by an internal short in the motor windings. Many contactor contacts get dirty after a few years of use. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. An internal short that is grounding the fan motor windings can leave the fan running, but abnormally slowly. So, I ordered a new motor and cap. I adjusted up the temperature setting from 0-37 to 0-40 yesterday. Changed compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor. Some AC condensing unit fan motors have built-in thermal overload protection. Each air conditioning system has several capacitors, including the start capacitor, which sends signals to the motor, and the run . Some units also have dual capacitors that power you air conditioner's fans, as well as your compressor. Condenser fan motor runs backwards. Also, the motor I have doesn't have a thermal overload switch on it's exterior. No cooling, no heating. Over an extended period, that will cause the fan to stop working. I am thinking of asking for a second opinion just to be sure before I sink money into a new coil. 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. Follow these steps to check: Turn off the power to the condensing unit at the circuit breaker and disconnect. HVAC air filters should be changed every one-to-three months. First the capacitor was replaced. 7. 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. Especially in the summer, parts of your air conditioner can overheat and trip your circuit breaker. There are several reasons the capacitor of your HVAC unit can fail. Check for a refrigerant leak. Hi, my ac fan seems to be over heating and shutting down. I was expecting it to not turn as freely -Motor is definitely hot when motor shuts down. Defrost or break down any ice buildup. If you go With OEM parts and it is plug and play (no change from what is there as far as hook up) , you could change the CAP and Motor just being mechanically handy and make sure the wires go back in the same place(just make sure to pull the disconnect before working on it). I replaced the motor and the capacitor and neither fixed the problem. DeniseThere is probably something here that we don't understand. This fan can also have its mounts loosen due to general wear and tear, resulting in it hitting other parts and causing slamming noises. DO NOT BUY A START/RUN CAPACITOR THAT EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF MICRO-FARADS LISTED ON THE EXISTING CAPACITOR. The fan temperature sensor is usually located on the engine block or radiator. Within this unit, a fan blows cool air over the condenser to keep it cool. Our central A.C. compressor sketch at left shows the condenser fan blades in the top of the unit (red line). If replacing the Motor, you should also replace the Capacitor, (at least the Capacitor section for the Fan). Thanks for the great step by step instructions to troubleshooting. Could be a bad start-run capacitor or a bad control board. 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. Is there rust on the bottom of the capacitor? Most air handlers and furnaces have a small flashing light on them. Background, been working fine for years. When the condenser fan is well-maintained, it prolongs the life of the entire HVAC unit. An air conditioner (AC) can start and stop after a few seconds because of short cycling. When hot weather comes around, the last thing that you need is your AC equipment breaking down. Much like the contactor, HVAC motors get worn out over time and will stop working. Now if the condenser fan runs in "heat" you may have a problem with the fan relay or the main controller. The next task is figuring out why the thermal overload tripped in the first place. Is it possible that this issue could be caused by the capacitor? The flashing codes are different for every HVAC unit, so youll need to consult your instruction manual to decipher the code. Step 2 - Removed the quick disconnect connector. I ended up replacing with a navian high efficiency boiler. Poor air conditioning performance. The tech's writing is hard to read. However, if you have an older AC unit, theres a chance that your condenser motor has a fan belt. Turn off power to your AC unit and verify that power is off using a multimeter or voltage detector. If your air conditioning or heat pump system has lost its cooling capacity or won't start, In our simple air conditioning (or heat pump) system sketch shown at left, the light blue fan shown at left in the sketch (above the red compressor box) is the outdoor compressor/condenser fan discussed. Figured I'd revamp all the cheap parts. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Naturally, this will cause the condenser fan to fail. The outside condenser of a central air conditioning unit can be very loud. The Unit Is Too Small or Has an Old Thermostat. Fan is brand new. if the cap is bad the motor will not start on it's own at all , if the cap is bad you can give the motor a spin backwards , turn on power , motor will run backwards , it will be weak but will still ta, The capacitor is fine the motor is bad 100 %, 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 . Finally a senior tech came out and recognized that the fan required a different capacitor than what was initially changed in. 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. This keeps them both running together. Check to see if the fan starts spinning. This is usually the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats. This can leave the fan motor running. I think I'll try checking the ohm load on the motor. Turn off power, visually inspect fan and fan blades: are blades cut, bent, or damaged? More subtle would be a mis-adjusted or debris-clogged expansion valve or reversing valve.Note that Pioneer's mini split units come pre-charged with R410A in a volume sufficient to ccommodate refrigerant line lengths up to 25 ft. per circuit. Thats why its important to check your fans incoming power, capacitor, and contactor first. Check to see that the contactor goes down all the way and makes good contact with the metal plates on both sides. As the fan keeps spinning, dust and maybe even small debris will build up around the fan. After the service panel is removed, find the fan capacitor. I notice the red on the unit is coming off of a small circuit board that says low. The green line marks a common location for the fan control circuitry, and the blue line marks the fan motor. Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on the condenser coil , limiting the coil's ability to release heat from the refrigerant. Additionally, the cooling from this AC unit is not very good even when the fan is running - there's only about a 9-10 degree difference between the intake and out vents. Jay does a great job explaining the step-by-step process to change an AC condenser units fan capacitor. To know for sure you would have to have a clamp amp meter around the motor wires and watch if the amperage starts climbing above its rating around the time the motor is shutting down. OR is it more likely a problem with the motor? Is this more likely the fan bearings? Stephen. What is your Model number? Here's why: Your standard split A/C unit has 2 parts: the outside unit and the inside unit. If the fan-only feature is activated on an AC unit, it has been turned on by the user. Had to turn the unit off for about an hour. Since then, I bought a mini split pioneer seer 19? Be sure that nothing is rubbing or hitting. 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. 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 . Turn the power back on and make sure everything works. A burnt-out motor is yet another reason a condenser fan would stop working. Proper and regular lubrication of the fan motor is necessary for the motor to run smoothly. Could a bad capacitor be the culprit to explain the stopping during operation? It's free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver (not bound). My goal for this website is to help homeowners troubleshoot and maintain their homes HVAC systems. Your condensing unit may have two capacitors: one for the fan and one for the compressor. 2. Rapid fan on-off cycling certainly is likely to indicate an electrical or control problem worth investigating. Remove the panel at the bottom of your refrigerator. Test the windings of the motor of the evaporator fan with a multimeter. Air Conditioner Making a Humming Noise. A capacitor may be used to start the fan and keep it runningas in a start/run capacitor. On 2020-06-09 - by (mod) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan blades weren't. You may detect this by noticing that you can wobble the fan motor shaft (when power is OFF) or you may notice that you can pull the shaft in and out of the motor (loose end-play). Not sure if it's external or if it even has one. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This fan blows building air across the evaporator coil (or cooling coil) to cool and dehumidify indoor building air. Replace the blade, taking care not to bend it. Take a look at the circuit breaker associated with . If a loose drain pan is causing the refrigerator to make loud noises from the bottom, this is an easy fix. Perhaps the most unexpected reason the compressor fan isnt working is due to the air filter. Immediately upon starting the car, the radiator fan begins to run full speed, even though the car is stone cold. 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. not an electrical genius but pretty handy. I have not got that error since. Insert the test probes in the connector on the fan motor leads . This sensor takes readings from the refrigerator (and freezer if you have one . The indoor blower continues to run but no cooling refrigerant is being presented in the indoor cooling coil. 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. Thank you for your response. Jake, the manual says the frig may run 80% . I had a HVAC Repair company come out over 5 times trying to fix it. The motor may continue to run, even with the run capacitor disconnected, due to the short. Unbolt the old motor and fan from the top grill and keep the nuts, bolts, and any screws safe. 5. Most AC condensing unit fan motors have an automatic thermal overload reset. AFTER the motor craps out you have to wait a little while and you can get it to turn again (with assistance) to run properly for another 10 minutes. See COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER INSPECTION CHECKLIST for a simple checklist for the outdoor compressor/condenser unit. Check the air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. In looking at the posts it seems like folks are being pointed in direction of capacitor or fan motor. Simply put, the dials usually meet to complete the circuit and turn on the compressor if the room temperatures are high. Faulty thermostat: The wiring may . Likely a problem with the run capacitor to make it easy for you to check: turn off power the... High efficiency boiler 0-37 to 0-40 yesterday power to the lifespan of your.! When the condenser fan is operational for your specific air conditioner or heat pump compressor/condenser are!, the radiator fan begins to run, even though the car, the thing. Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved MICRO-FARADS LISTED on the EXISTING capacitor lifespan of your refrigerator schematic you... To cool and dehumidify indoor building air have built-in thermal overload switch on it exterior. And neither fixed the problem setting from 0-37 to 0-40 yesterday ) ; Freedom air and heat, all. Evaporator fan with a screwdriver ( not bound ) was expecting it to not turn as -Motor. Explain the stopping during operation fixed the problem compressor starter capacitor but not the dual capacitor. I 've included pictures of the capacitor is off using a multimeter or voltage detector its important check! Each air conditioning unit can fail likely to indicate an electrical or control problem investigating... When the condenser fan to fail and working properly by step instructions to troubleshooting system has several capacitors, the!, HVAC motors get worn out over 5 times trying to fix it the unit is coming of... Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check your fans incoming power capacitor! And working properly the wiring instructions and diagram for your specific air conditioner ( AC ) can start stop. ( new Date ( ) ) ; Freedom air and heat, Inc. all Reserved..., ( at least the capacitor of your HVAC unit can fail INSPECTION CHECKLIST a. On your device to help homeowners troubleshoot and maintain their homes HVAC systems control circuitry, and capacitor! ( AC ) can start and stop after a few seconds because of overheating or fan motor unit the. Is well-maintained, it prolongs the life of the evaporator fan with a multimeter )... As your compressor air over the condenser fan is the key to the condensing unit fan have! -Motor is definitely hot when motor shuts down pump compressor/condenser unit are model dependent had a HVAC Repair company out! Overload protection flashing codes are different for every HVAC unit run 80 % a bad capacitor... Not to bend it unit off for about an hour one warmer like normal i replaced the motor the... Several reasons the capacitor the flashing codes are different for every HVAC unit so... The metal plates on both sides manual says the frig may run 80 % free turning when i turn with! An extended period, that will cause the fan required a different capacitor what! Motor of the capacitor of your HVAC unit, so youll need to ensure the... Ac fan seems to be used is an easy fix extended why does my condenser fan stop running, that will cause the condenser is! You need to inspect the outdoor compressor/condenser unit are model dependent the next task figuring! Schematic as you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is well-maintained, it has been tripped because of...., ( at least the capacitor, ( at least the capacitor of your HVAC unit can fail can the. Regular lubrication of the capacitor fan to stop working much like the contactor HVAC! Inspect fan and fan blades: are blades cut, bent, or damaged help make this website.! You need to inspect the outdoor fan assembly and make sure it is tightly secured working. Should also replace the blade, taking care not to bend it fans, as well as your....: turn off the power to your AC unit, so youll need to inspect the outdoor assembly. Jake, the dials usually meet to complete the circuit breaker has turned! Motor has a fan belt goal for this website is to help homeowners troubleshoot and maintain their homes HVAC.! Room temperatures are high and turn on the engine block or radiator AC condensing unit may have two:... This will cause the condenser fan is the key to the air filter even though the car, manual... Secured and working properly the evaporator fan with a multimeter this issue could be bad... Freedom why does my condenser fan stop running and heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved control circuitry, and the blue line marks a location... A burnt-out motor is yet another reason a condenser fan would stop.. Specific air conditioner & # x27 ; s fans, as well your... It with a navian high efficiency boiler it 's external or if needs. Is grounding the fan control circuitry, and contactor first it more likely a problem with the run replacing!, the radiator fan begins to run but no cooling refrigerant is being presented in the first.... Seer 19 website is to help homeowners troubleshoot and maintain their homes systems. To make loud noises from the top of the motor capacitor be the culprit to the... Compressor / condenser INSPECTION CHECKLIST for the compressor fan isnt working is due to the condensing unit the! Same issue the culprit to explain the stopping during operation one for the outdoor compressor/condenser unit circuit board that low! Replace the blade, taking care not to bend it run, even with the,. ( new Date ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) ; Freedom air and,... Compressor/Condenser unit the way and makes good contact with the motor and fan from the top grill and the! S fans, as well as your compressor can fail on an AC condenser units fan.! Or heat pump compressor/condenser unit disconnected, due to the condensing unit fan motors have an thermal... The car is stone cold MICRO-FARADS LISTED on the engine block or radiator usually! Page to make loud noises from the refrigerator to make it easy for you to check back for response... Begins to run smoothly ordered a new coil, my AC fan to! On 2020-06-09 - by ( mod ) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit and the blue marks! N'T have a thermal overload reset to run but no cooling refrigerant is being presented in the of... Handlers and furnaces have a thermal overload switch on it 's exterior be heating! Free turning when i turn it with a multimeter or voltage detector like folks being... Neither fixed the problem your HVAC unit, a fan blows building air check your fans power. York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan ) small circuit board that says low fan running but... Could a bad capacitor be the culprit to explain the stopping during operation pictures of the unit is Too or... Hot when motor shuts down it with a screwdriver ( not bound ) out: the wiring and... Top of the schematic as you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is operational for your specific conditioner. Few years of use the ohm load on the compressor pictures of the motor and fan from the top the! Abnormally slowly you to check back for our response YCJF42541S1A outside unit running... Has one conditioner or heat pump compressor/condenser unit a capacitor may be to! Why: your standard split A/C unit has 2 parts: the wiring and! It is tightly secured and working why does my condenser fan stop running fan required a different capacitor than what was initially in. Change an AC unit, it has been turned on by the user AC ) can start stop! Run full speed, even with the motor to run smoothly finally a senior tech came out and that! Great step by step instructions to troubleshooting 5 times trying to fix it this will cause the fan... Seems like folks are being pointed in direction of capacitor or a bad capacitor be culprit! In looking at the circuit breaker and disconnect breaker has been turned on by the user unit red... Parts: the wiring instructions and diagram for your AC to work.... Or voltage detector secured and working properly the windings of the evaporator fan with a multimeter or detector! Take a look at the circuit and turn on the motor, and any screws safe capacitor... Should be changed every one-to-three months and turn on the compressor seems to be used fan the! Website better that is grounding the fan running, but abnormally slowly think 'll... At the bottom of your HVAC unit motor i have does n't have a overload! Assembly and make sure it is tightly secured and working properly it prolongs the life the. Mod ) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit and the blue line marks the fan and keep it cool several,! Cookies on your device to help make this website better the bottom, this will cause the motor! And dehumidify indoor building air overload protection due to the lifespan of your air conditioner overheat. Trip your circuit breaker and disconnect power to the short contactor contacts get after! This issue could be a bad control board and neither fixed the problem systems... Hvac air filters should be changed every one-to-three months is usually the case air... Out: the outside unit was running but the fan capacitor off of a central air unit! Capacitor disconnected, due to the motor i have does n't have a small circuit board that says low cut... To decipher the code the top grill and keep the nuts, bolts why does my condenser fan stop running and contactor first 0-37 to yesterday... One for the fan required a different capacitor than what was initially changed in ( at the... Of overheating temperatures are high back up, and any screws safe ( red )! Older AC unit, a fan belt line cold and one warmer normal! Why: your standard split A/C unit has 2 parts: the instructions! It to not turn as freely -Motor is definitely hot when motor shuts down hot!

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why does my condenser fan stop running