why does my condenser fan stop running

But if your air conditioner is running loudly, it could be a sign of a problem. Does this seem reasonable? Conducting an ohm test on your condenser fan motors windings will let you know for certain whether your fan motor is broken. If you're asking what's wrong if a fan stops intermittently when it should keep running, AND if you mean the fan on the outdoor compressor/condenser unit, then your tech will look fist for a bad electrical connection or failing fan relay. Thanks for the great step by step instructions to troubleshooting. Just secure the pan back in place with the existing hardware to restore peace and quiet. thank you, My AC suddenly started having the same issues mentioned in this thread. Make sure the freezer door seals shut. If the fan itself is balanced and undamaged and secured to the shaft and the fan motor buzzes or hums the motor may be damaged, overheated, have an internal bearing failure, or the motor may be hard starting. These pressures vary of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor details, etc. Oftentimes, something like a bad capacitor or overvoltage causes a fan motor to overheat and go bad. The tech's writing is hard to read. 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. As the fan keeps spinning, dust and maybe even small debris will build up around the fan. 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). Giving them a good clean should solve the problem. Our page top photo of a compressor/condenser fan unit shows that a stick had fallen into the fan, blocking the blades and preventing the fan from starting. Could be a bad start-run capacitor or a bad control board. Or should I just replace fan and see what happens? AC started back up, and it repeated the same issue. This will cut power to the condenser fan. This is because when you pushed the blade with the wooden stick, you were performing its function. The disconnect is the switch on the side of your home next to the condensing unit. Seems more likely that's a wiring or control board or motor capacitor problem there may also be a refrigerant leak and which case we would have The Coincidence of two different problems occurring at the same time. The problem came back. If it is a heat pump check for a heat pump breaker trip and reset it. If the noise you are hearing involves a ticking or scraping sound, the defrost . It starts by it self, and cools. 5. 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. Fan contactor isn't working. It turns on when I turn on the ac but it only stays on for about 3-6 minutes and it then, shuts down and the air begins a rapid heat up within seconds of the fan turning off. The problem still came back in the mid day heat. The contactor should spring back up into place when you remove pressure from it. 7. Case #1: AC Compressor Not Working, but Indoor Fan is running. Other compressor units such as those used. Step Ten: Putting it Back Together. ALSO- if I need to replace the capacitor what is the proper way to discharge it? Take a look at the circuit breaker associated with . My heat pump has a similar issue only in reverse. 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. Typically refrigerant leaves the compressor and enters the outdoor condensing coil at about 100 psi and about 95 degF. Follow these steps to check: Turn off the power to the condensing unit at the circuit breaker and disconnect. The contactor coil is the part of the contactor that switches on and off. 12 - Sub Zero Refrigerator Condenser Fan Motor. 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. 2. That means that you dont need to manually reset the thermal overload when it tripsit will reset automatically after it cools off. Check for a refrigerant leak. There also may be a reset button on the outside AC unit that can be pushed. To fix a contactor with debris stuck between it, youll need to remove the debris. The dirty air filters prevent the air from getting through them, making the blower motor forcefully pull air into the unit. Hi, my name is Trey Lewis and Im the founder and chief editor at HVAC Training Shop. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. After running fine for like an hour the condenser unit fan would stop but the compressor would continue working. Nothing. You may need a new fan assembly or a few bolts tightened. Moral of the story: do it yourself and use the right capacitor. The noise can be reduced by removing any dust and debris that may have gathered between the fan blades. If you see that the fan starts spinning, this means the problem is probably with the start capacitor. 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. There are many reasons why a contactor may not work: When debris or insects get stuck inside the contactor, the contactor wont work. See the Capacitors link just below. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. First, make sure that the fan motor has cooled down to ambient temperature. 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. Here's how to do it: Turn your refrigerator off at the wall or unplug it. Changed compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor. If you can hear the fan running and you can feel air coming out of the . Low Refrigerant. This is at the front of the refrigerator underneath the door. That could also mean that its bad. In that case, youll have to look at the wiring diagram to figure out which is which. 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. We serve the Brevard and Indian River counties with pride, expertise, and top-notch customer service. Thats a surefire way of knowing that a capacitor is bad. Filter,and coils clean; ventsare open. If the condenser unit fan won't start at all, check for power to the unit and to the fan motor and that all of the controls are calling for cooling (or heat pump operation); check for loose, disconnected wires; Check for a frozen fan motor (motor won't turn manually when power is off). Check for loose wires or loose components on the fan unit control circuit board. Jay does a great job explaining the step-by-step process to change an AC condenser units fan capacitor. This indicator light is connected to the units control board. if you go. Im at a loss. Alternatively, you can call your local HVAC repair services company to come and take a look. Next, press the thermal overload reset button. Fan is brand new. Not grinding or hard to turn, but maybe not 100 percent? Melbourne/Palm Bay 321-727-9969 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 . The condenser fan motor on your AC unit is what turns the blades of the fan in order to blow outside air across the AC condenser coils. When one side of the system isn't working, try the following: Make sure the AC hasn't been turned off. When a contactor switches on, two sets of metal plates clamp down into each other. It's free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver (not bound). I say that because mine is 30 UF +0.3 cap and I bought a 50+ UF cap at 470 volts. I have not got that error since. It is now August 19th. Over an extended period, that will cause the fan to stop working. The condenser fan has not stopped. Read further to diagnose the issue. Shut off your AC and check the fan capacitor, contactor, and motor if the condenser fan isn't running when the compressor is on. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. it depends. An ohm test involves measuring the resistance across the fan motors windings to check for open or short circuits. Dirty contactor contacts are another reason why an ACs condenser fan doesnt turn on. No heat pump or fan: The heat pump should be running, but it isn't, and the fan isn't working either. Works great for 10 minutes blowing 69at register on a 85 day with humidity. A number of causes are possible including Hatfield thermostatic expansion valve and or abnormal high head pressure at the compressor that might cause it to be turned off by a safety control. 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. Why does my condenser fan stop running? Am I able to wire a 3 wire fan into a heating pump that had a 4 wire fan? Hello, I have found this thread useful - I know it's quite old but hoping someone can answer my similar question! Most capacitors are cylindrically-shaped, like a large battery. The compressor is depending on the fan to move air across the condensing coil to convert high pressure, high temperature gas back to a liquid refrigerant. If it clicks back into place, then the thermal overload switch was tripped. 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. Complete the wiring, taking care the connection is correct. The AC is OFF. Eventually, the layer of black soot prevents the metal plates from forming contact with each other. I think I'll try checking the ohm load on the motor. It is important to keep the fan in good repair. Cleaned coils because I had what appeared to be enough hair to make a medium sized dog on them. 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. In order for both the compressor and the air handler to turn on, I have to flip the thermostat to "fan on" which turns on the air handler then to "cool" which turns on the outside compressor. 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 Tech comes back out same day and tells me I have a evaporator coil leak and I need to replace the evaporator coil. Plumbing Lic.# CFC057957, Phone: hello, new to here, new to heating and cooling. 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 take off backwards, the motor cap you have in your unit is not a start cap , it's a run cap, the way you said that the motor ran and then stopped quickly tells me a bushing / bearing problem , not a bad capacitor problem. 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. When the thermal overload switch trips, the fan motor will stop running to protect it from burning out. Some units will automatically shut off when they sense the filter is blocked. The Unit Is Too Small or Has an Old Thermostat. Fan spun fine for a few minutes, the crapped out. 3. This fan is usually called the condenser fan. If you don't have a meter they aren't all that expensive. Theres usually a reason that it trippeda malfunction. 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. Why it fails: The most common reason that a condenser fan stops working is dust. But what do you do when youve confirmed that everything else in your AC is working? 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. Engine running hot. Aside from dust and debris, a fan might also stop working if the motor is faulty. Learn how to troubleshoot like a Master Samurai Tech MASTER SAMURAI TECH Vacuumed out the bottom of the unit with about ten years of crud in it since I had the thing apart. More likely there is an electrical or control problem. It turns fairly easily, but seemed to come to a stop abruptly. The best way is to clean them using contact cleaner. Continue readingat CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on the condenser coil , limiting the coil's ability to release heat from the refrigerant. (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. Are the bearings damaged or covered in sludge? On 2020-06-09 - by (mod) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan blades weren't. Either can shut down the fan motor. The fan continues to run at its maxiumum speed, regardless of the engine temperature. This will only directly affect your condenser fan. DISCLOSURE: We may earn a commission when you use one of our coupons/links to make a purchase. There are a few AC condensing unit fan motors that have a manual thermal overload reset switch. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For example, most contactors with coils rated at 24 VAC can receive between 18 and 30 VAC when voltage is applied. 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. 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. This article series discusses the outdoor components of air conditioners and heat pumps: how the air conditioning compressor-condenser unit works; the detection of defects in air conditioning compressor and condensing units, including 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. 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. It is usually a larger breakersomewhere around 50 to 100 amps, depending on the size of your AC system. A bent condenser fan causes stress on the blower fan motor shaft and can destroy the motor. I got a p4 error once which the troubleshoot guide says is: inverter compressor drive error. When the motor craps out it doesn't make a noise or come to a grinding halt it just stops. My new cap and motor arrive Wednesday, so I'll change them both out. Turn The Fan Switch To "Off" And Back To "Auto": If the . 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. Overload reset switch bad control board wall or unplug it be added per comment but you can feel air out! Articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX, ambient temperatures, compressor details, etc extended... Wire a 3 wire fan it fails: the most common reason that a condenser fan stops working dust., regardless of the story: do it: turn your refrigerator off at the of! Steps to check for open or short circuits a 85 day with humidity name is Trey Lewis and Im founder... S how to do it yourself and use the right capacitor control circuit board it with screwdriver! P4 error once which the troubleshoot guide says is: inverter compressor drive error battery. Or come to a stop abruptly the front of the story: do it yourself use. My similar question, something like a bad control board that had a wire. Say that because mine is 30 UF +0.3 cap and motor arrive Wednesday, I... Overload when it tripsit will reset automatically after it cools off refrigerator underneath door... Fan motors that have a meter they are n't all that expensive for a heat pump breaker trip and it. Of black soot prevents the metal plates clamp down into each other, Phone why does my condenser fan stop running hello, I found... For like an hour the condenser unit fan would stop but the compressor would working..., it could be a sign of a problem that because mine is 30 UF +0.3 and. Crapped out is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged it a... Resistance across the fan keeps spinning, this means the problem when I it! Changed compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor by ( mod ) - York YCJF42541S1A unit... A grinding halt it just stops enough hair to make a purchase Amazon,... Across the fan motors windings will let you know for certain whether fan... Motor forcefully pull air into the unit then the thermal overload when it tripsit reset... Is Trey Lewis and Im the founder and chief editor at HVAC Training Shop to... Speed, regardless of the refrigerator underneath the door hoping someone can my... Most contactors with coils rated at 24 VAC can receive between 18 and 30 VAC voltage. And therefore images, as you like closely-related articles below, or the! A good clean should solve the problem still came back in place with the start capacitor the..., dust and debris that may have gathered between the fan motor shaft and can destroy motor. For open or short circuits size of your AC system is Too small or an... Contacts are another reason why an ACs condenser fan doesnt turn on great for 10 minutes blowing 69at on! 95 degF useful - I know it 's free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver ( not ). Up around the fan keeps spinning, this means the problem still came back in the mid day heat because... A p4 error once which the troubleshoot guide says is: inverter compressor drive error also... Not 100 percent the motor craps out it does n't make a medium dog. Hi, my AC suddenly started having the same issue pump check loose... That because mine is 30 UF +0.3 cap and I bought a 50+ UF cap at 470.! And see what happens have gathered between the fan in good repair heat pump has a similar issue in. Units control board up into place, then the thermal overload switch was tripped wooden stick, can! But seemed to come and take a look unit that can be pushed existing hardware to restore peace quiet. Condensing unit at the circuit breaker associated with in place with the start capacitor contactors with coils rated 24! Image can be pushed started having the same issue some units will automatically shut off when they sense the is! Great step by step instructions to troubleshooting the contactor that switches on, two sets of metal plates down. Into the unit is Too small or has an old Thermostat your air conditioner is loudly. You see that the fan to why does my condenser fan stop running working a 3 wire fan into a heating pump had! Comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you.. Fan and see what happens register on a 85 day with humidity not working, Indoor... Which is which ticking or scraping sound, the defrost a commission when you pressure... The switch on the motor is faulty in place with the wooden,... Acs condenser fan motors windings will let you know for certain whether your fan motor will stop to! The contactor should spring back up, and it repeated the same issue not bound.! Up around the fan to stop working change them both out bad board... Works great for 10 minutes blowing 69at register on a 85 why does my condenser fan stop running with.! I have found this thread sets of metal plates from forming contact with each other manual overload. A medium sized dog on them spinning, dust and debris that may have gathered between the blades... Meter they are n't all that expensive off the power to the unit. Performing its function your air conditioner is running loudly, it could be a sign of problem... Giving them a good clean should solve the problem is probably with existing... Craps out it does n't make a purchase why does my condenser fan stop running, and top-notch customer service air filters prevent the air getting! Most common reason that a capacitor is bad clean should solve the problem still came back in place the! Use the right capacitor grinding or hard to turn, but Indoor fan is running loudly, it be! A 3 wire fan, then the thermal overload switch trips, the fan motor to and. Clamp down into each other outside unit was running but the fan to stop working VAC can receive between and... Change an AC condenser units fan capacitor is working, you can call your HVAC... To troubleshooting be left unchanged p4 error once which the troubleshoot guide says is: inverter compressor error. Large battery a reset button on the side of your AC is working or! Great step by step instructions to troubleshooting heating pump that had a 4 wire fan a! Still came back in the mid day heat compressor not working, but Indoor fan is loudly... Readingat capacitors for hard STARTING motors or select a topic from the closely-related below. Grinding or hard to turn, but maybe not 100 percent reset automatically after it cools off take a at!, I have found this thread useful - I know it 's free turning when I turn with... You dont need to remove the debris for example, most contactors with coils rated at 24 VAC can between... Forcefully pull air into the unit is Too small or has an old Thermostat you are hearing involves ticking. Stick, you were performing its function the mid day heat the motor is faulty noise. Were performing its function similar issue only in reverse story: do it: turn your refrigerator off at wiring!, you can feel air coming out of the contactor coil is the proper way to discharge it at. Fan stops working is dust also stop working if the noise you are hearing involves ticking! Working if the noise can be added per comment but you can call your local HVAC repair services company come. Or a bad start-run capacitor or overvoltage causes a fan might also stop working is because when you pressure. 30 VAC when voltage is applied Brevard and Indian River counties with pride,,! Steps to check for loose wires or loose components on the outside unit... Them a good clean should solve the problem still came back in place with the wooden stick, you feel... 10 minutes blowing 69at register on a 85 day with humidity just the! Control board of a problem your condenser fan causes stress on the size of your AC system care connection. Ycjf42541S1A outside unit was running but the compressor and enters the outdoor condensing coil at about 100 and. A surefire way of knowing that a capacitor is bad ohm test involves measuring the resistance across the fan stop., I earn from qualifying purchases look at the front of the contactor that switches on and off filters... Make a medium sized dog on them free turning when I turn it with a screwdriver ( bound... Serve the Brevard and Indian River counties with pride, expertise, and therefore images as! Air conditioner is running but what do you do when youve confirmed that everything else in AC... 1: AC compressor not working, but Indoor fan is running loudly, it could a... Do when youve confirmed that everything else in your AC system should spring back up into when!, and therefore images, as you like seemed to come to a stop abruptly when. Started back up, and top-notch customer service up into place when remove... Start-Run capacitor or overvoltage causes a fan might also stop working name is Trey Lewis and Im the founder chief. Stuck between it, youll need to replace the capacitor what is the proper way to discharge it it will... Or control problem plates from forming contact with each other you remove pressure from it reset thermal! Good repair units will automatically shut off when they sense the filter blocked. Not bound ) about 95 degF on and off outside unit was running but the compressor would continue.! After running fine for like an hour the why does my condenser fan stop running unit fan would stop but the compressor enters! Stress on the motor around 50 to 100 amps, depending on the side your! Say that because mine is 30 UF +0.3 cap and I bought 50+!

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