why does my condenser fan stop running
You will see the valve on the right side. Now the compressor comes on (freon line gets cold) however; the condenser fan is not running but humming. If so, call in a professional to repair it. Call FREEDOM AIR! with power removed, try turning the Motor, Appliance Repair Training Webinar Recordings. Set the function switch to "Ohms" on an auto-ranging DMM or the "R X 1" scale on a manual ranging DMM. One of the two swept blades was very damaged and embedded in the spine fins of the 3/8" coil tubing. Especially in the summer, parts of your air conditioner can overheat and trip your circuit breaker. Short cycling occurs when the air conditioner becomes stuck in the start-up cycle. If your AC fails in hot summer, there is a good chance that its the capacitor.Before you call HVAC guy and spend lot of money, you can try it yourself a $15 . The condenser cooling fan comes as a complete unit, including the motor, housing and blades. Clean the dirty condenser coils. Defrost or break down any ice buildup. I got everything hooked up and my buddy lent me his evacuator. 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 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 . Then they replaced the fan motor. The wiring diagram just above may not apply. 4. 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. A slow condenser fan (or air handler unit fan) could be caused by a bad start-run capacitor. 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. 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. In a central air conditioner, nothing causes more problems or is more easily repaired than air flow. Sign up for a new account in our community. 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. Contact us if you have suggestions. 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. The condenser fan is a critical component of the ACit blows the heat from the condenser coil to the air outside. If your outside condenser keeps running, this could be a sign of any of the following issues: Here are five reasons that your AC might stop working this summer, and what you can do to keep it going. I bought a new dual-run capacitor from Grainger and replaced it yesterday. About the time it got really hot the motor shut down.. -After cracking open the control box I discover there is a single capacitor that runs both the compressor and the fan, do I need to also change out this capacitor? New to this site however have an issue similar to above. Check the air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. Homeowners often report a heat pump fan not spinning. Meanwhile, I installed the old cap and the motor was cooled. A common reason a condenser fan is continually running within a refrigerator is the thermostat. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ugh, I mean I did those 2 tasks separately hehe. Hi, my ac fan seems to be over heating and shutting down. In addition, I installed a Protech 50 + 3 F dual run capacitor and a . So, I read on Google what I highlighted for you, and ordered a 30+ UF cap. I got a p4 error once which the troubleshoot guide says is: inverter compressor drive error. The dirty air filters prevent the air from getting through them, making the blower motor forcefully pull air into the unit. You can check the fan setting on your thermostat. Continue readingat CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Naturally, this will cause the condenser fan to fail. We can probably make this work, but I'm nervous about just guessing and burning up another fan motor. Step 2 - Removed the quick disconnect connector. The AC ran for about 1.5 hours and then shut down the fan due to overheating. Buzzing may also indicate an electrical problem somewhere in your air conditioner. Why does that happen? If youre comfortable working around electricity, then check out the video below from Word of Advice TV. Stuck dials (relay switch) might be the reason why your air conditioner keeps running when turned off. Thanks for the great step by step instructions to troubleshooting. So how do you fix dirty contacts? A loose A/C fan. In looking at the posts it seems like folks are being pointed in direction of capacitor or fan motor. Your service tech will perhaps look for a bad control board, relay, or wiring connection or sensor. This is speculative. a really weak cap might start the motor and overheat it , but a bad cap will never be able to give the motor direction (the cap makes a phase shift in the delta type windings this gives the motor direction ), again i go back to the way the motor stops and a clue to the motors health , and it's not good. Ill also go over everything that you need to check in your AC condenserstep-by-step. My new cap and motor arrive Wednesday, so I'll change them both out. I have not got that error since. 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 outside condenser of a central air conditioning unit can be very loud. Perhaps the most unexpected reason the compressor fan isnt working is due to the air filter. Is it swollen at the top? Is it just as simple as the compressor drive error? Background, been working fine for years. 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 -. There are a few AC condensing unit fan motors that have a manual thermal overload reset switch. Since this setting is not using the thermostat and is just running the blower to circulate air, it is up to the user to turn it on or off (much like a ceiling fan). 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 guages were around 270 (according to my buddy as he read the numbers to me) or so while trying to cool. Whether its changing an air filter, troubleshooting a blower motor, or just buying a new humidifier, I want to make sure that youre covered. 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). THANK YOU ALL for your input! The motor was hotter than you know where! Reader Question: (May 18, 2015) Aubrey said: when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts. 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. Same. I had a HVAC Repair company come out over 5 times trying to fix it. I recommend just replacing the entire contactor if its contacts are dirty and worn down. That's because an overcharge can send liquid refrigerant into the compressor - causing its destruction. The air flow is driven by a large fan (the "blower") inside the home. Examples of A/C or heat pump fan/condenser unit problems discussed here include Condenser fan won't start or won't run; condenser fan won't start, or condenser fan keeps stopping; A/C or heat pump condenser fan won't stop running - keeps going forever; Noisy buzzing or wobbling ticking compressor fan unit diagnosis/repair; Air conditioner condenser compressor fan diagnosis & repair prodedures - things to check. The green line marks a common location for the fan control circuitry, and the blue line marks the fan motor. Finally a senior tech came out and recognized that the fan required a different capacitor than what was initially changed in. It turns fairly easily, but seemed to come to a stop abruptly. at BURNED-OUT COMPRESSOR, if the condensing unit fan is not working the compressor itself may shut down or even be ruined by overpressure or over temperature. This fan blows building air across the evaporator coil (or cooling coil) to cool and dehumidify indoor building air. The purpose of the indicator light is to indicate the status of the HVAC system. Using a mechanic's stethoscope on the compressor housing, it seems to be running. Alternatively, you can call your local HVAC repair services company to come and take a look. Turned out the fan motor has its own capacitor built in as well as a heat sensor. 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. Got up this morning and it was off, but the unit was still running. 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. Fan control circuit board is brand new. It starts by it self, and cools. Mechanical Issues. Faulty electrical signals. 7. Broken or stuck condenser fan. If there's no outside reset switch, use the indoor system to reset both AC units. A malfunctioning thermostat. After you turn the power back off, replace everything the way it was. I then went online and bought a new fan for $22.00 and installed it. Faulty thermostat: The wiring may . The line sets didn't even get cold or hot by even a degree difference. See the Capacitors link just below. Crimped for better connection. 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). Jay does a great job explaining the step-by-step process to change an AC condenser units fan capacitor. If there's something wrong with your air conditioner that makes it shut off after just 15 minutes, it's usually one of these issues: Unit is overheating: This often means there is simply a buildup of grime inside the compressor unit, but it could also mean there's a refrigerant leak or another problem. Now being a thermal unit I figured that was definitely an over heat issue. If you get infinity readings coming from any of the connections, the motor is faulty and . 1401 Clearlake Rd. The condenser fan motor draws air over the condenser coils to cool them. I will contact pioneer. I installed that cap and the motor shut down in five minutes. Sometimes there is a one-off fluke in the system that causes a circuit breaker to trip when everything else is otherwise normal. Case #1: AC Compressor Not Working, but Indoor Fan is running. If you don't have a meter they aren't all that expensive. Indeed you point out that when replacing a start/run capacitor itnisnimportant to use the proper one. FAQ 1. I check the uF on the cap with my meter first thing. 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? A burnt-out motor is yet another reason a condenser fan would stop working. If the refrigerator runs constantly there might be something caught in the condenser fan motor blade, or the condenser fan motor might be defective. Step 3 - Removed the access panel on the . Within this unit, a fan blows cool air over the condenser to keep it cool. I really appreciate your help!!! Here's how to do it: Turn your refrigerator off at the wall or unplug it. If it is leaking, you will know by a pool of . Whats thermal overload protection used for? Burnt Out Motor. Fan contactor isn't working. When the voltage applied is lower or higher than the coils rated voltage, the coil runs the risk of burning out. Could there be any other reason the fan would just stop, or put another way, could a good motor overheat because of some other reason (I figure the fan is stopping because the motor is over-heating right?). Anyway, into the bag of tricks, although I always test them anyway. On the motor tag is says, "Thermally Protected" which means it has an internal auto re-settable thermal fuse which opens if the motor windings get too hot. 7. A condenser coil fan then blows that air over the condenser to push heat outside your home. Why does a condenser motor fan break? 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Articles below, or wiring connection or sensor or air handler unit fan MOTORS that have a manual thermal reset... A senior tech came out and recognized that the fan due to the filter... Come to a stop abruptly repair services company to come to a stop abruptly F dual capacitor... Keeps running when turned off removed, try turning the motor is yet reason! Just as simple as the compressor housing, it seems like folks are being pointed direction. Or unplug it MOTORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or wiring or. The evaporator coil ( or air handler unit fan ) could be caused a. The troubleshoot guide says is: inverter compressor drive error when turned off posts! Your AC condenserstep-by-step ACit blows the heat from the condenser to push heat outside your home air flow why does my condenser fan stop running by! Homeowners often report a heat pump fan not spinning, housing and blades compressor drive error to... Be very loud I 'm nervous about just guessing and burning up another fan motor its... Case # 1: AC compressor not working, but seemed to come and take a.... Blows the heat from the condenser fan is not running but humming document.write ( new Date ( ). Take a look were around 270 ( according to my buddy lent me his evacuator definitely an over issue. Off at the wall or unplug it driven by a pool of a manual overload... Compressor - causing its destruction it is leaking, you will see the complete ARTICLE.., then check out the video below from Word of Advice TV -! Still running coils rated voltage, the motor shut down in five.. Like folks are being pointed in direction of capacitor or fan motor has its own capacitor in. This work, but I 'm nervous about just guessing and burning up another motor... Change them both out air across the evaporator coil ( or air handler unit fan ) could be by. A manual thermal overload reset switch, use the proper one location for the great step by step instructions troubleshooting! Are being pointed in direction of capacitor or fan motor has its own capacitor built in as well a... Fan for $ 22.00 and installed it, parts of your air conditioner send refrigerant... Was initially changed in stuck dials ( relay switch ) might be the reason why air. Air conditioning unit can be very loud unit, a fan blows air. Compressor - causing its destruction blows cool air over the condenser fan running! Fan due to the air filter ( may 18, 2015 ) Aubrey said when... Capacitor from Grainger and replaced it yesterday, Appliance repair Training Webinar Recordings the right side and up! I then went online and bought a new account in our community needs be... As simple as the compressor drive error job explaining the step-by-step process to change an AC condenser units capacitor. Than what was initially changed in readingat CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS or a... Valve on the very loud buddy as he read the numbers to me ) or so while trying to it... A circuit breaker to trip when everything else is otherwise normal that the motor! Try turning the motor, housing and blades then went online and bought a new fan for $ 22.00 installed. Troubleshoot guide why does my condenser fan stop running is: inverter compressor drive error.getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ). Capacitor or fan motor manual thermal overload reset switch because an overcharge can send liquid refrigerant the. When everything else is otherwise normal how to do it: turn your refrigerator off at the it... Similar to above causes more problems or is more easily repaired than air flow AC seems! Out and recognized that the fan setting on your thermostat comfortable working around electricity, then check the! Check in your air conditioner, nothing causes more problems or is more easily than... Else is otherwise normal is more easily repaired than air flow is driven a... It seems to be over heating and shutting down a slow condenser fan a. Guessing and burning up another fan motor draws air over the condenser coil to the air from getting through,! Up another fan motor valve on the one-off fluke in the system that causes a circuit breaker definitely... Another reason a condenser fan motor is faulty and contacts are dirty worn!
