I don't want to spend the money if it is a capacitor. Unscrew and lift off the top panel. FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNIT at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. If the condenser fan doesnt run when the compressor does, most ACs will shut down due to an imbalance of pressures. A dirty filter prevents air from crossing the evaporator coils, which means that all that cooling power . DO NOT BUY A START/RUN CAPACITOR THAT EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF MICRO-FARADS LISTED ON THE EXISTING CAPACITOR. It could be due to one of the following issues: In any case, its better to get your local HVAC professional to take a look at your condensing unit if the fan motors thermal overload keeps tripping. Sorry taken so log to reply, I work a lot of hours. Bob,Thank you for the helpful diagnostic question about your Pioneer brand Mini Split AC unit. We list this sequence of condenser fan troubleshooting checkpoints roughly in the order that an experienced service technician will try them, putting easy, cheap, or more likely causes higher in the list. For most people, I recommend calling a local HVAC professional to change the capacitor. The AC's capacitors are small, cylinder components that send energy signals to power the fan motor and the rest of the AC unit. Some AC condensing unit fan motors have built-in thermal overload protection. Turn off the breaker or thermostat . Is it just as simple as the compressor drive error? Your condensing unit may have two capacitors: one for the fan and one for the compressor. The best solution to this issue is to install a newer, more energy efficient HVAC unit. Jake, the manual says the frig may run 80% . Tech comes back out same day and tells me I have a evaporator coil leak and I need to replace the evaporator coil. There is more than one possible cause of a noisy air conditioner. Check the freezer's compressor. When there's a loud banging as your unit runs, it's broken and needs . Are the bearings damaged or covered in sludge? The fan capacitor may also be labeled. The fan will NOT start on it's own but you can see it "tries" to move in the right direction. These pressures vary of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor details, etc. Thats why its important to check your fans incoming power, capacitor, and contactor first. Powered by Invision Community. When a contactor switches on, two sets of metal plates clamp down into each other. Is there fluid leaking out of the capacitor? Hello, I have found this thread useful - I know it's quite old but hoping someone can answer my similar question! Most air handlers and furnaces have a small flashing light on them. I have not got that error since. If your unit has shut off, check your circuit breaker. That could also mean that its bad. This is at the front of the refrigerator underneath the door. 5. So, I read on Google what I highlighted for you, and ordered a 30+ UF cap. The fan motor will NOT run backwards at start with a reverse assist. Im at a loss. The Unit Is Too Small or Has an Old Thermostat. On the wiring diagram see component FSC - Fan Speed Control - I'll post an excerpt from your photo to help you find it. Is there rust on the bottom of the capacitor? The condenser fan has not stopped. 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. Cocoa, FL 32922 This is to check for continuity. Was interesting to learn. Trane xb1000. Straight AC or HeatPump? The motor may continue to run, even with the run capacitor disconnected, due to the short. 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. Could be a bad start-run capacitor or a bad control board. So what do you do when the condenser fan in your AC stops running? However, if you have an older AC unit, theres a chance that your condenser motor has a fan belt. If you see that the fan starts spinning, this means the problem is probably with the start capacitor. The movement of outdoor air across the condensing coil transfers heat to outdoor air and allows high pressure/high temperature refrigerant inside the condensing coil to condense from a gas back to a liquid refrigerant. Compressor still running. The fan motor and capacitor have been replaced. I'm worried though about the others mentioning that even replacing the motor didn't fix this symptom. ugh, I mean I did those 2 tasks separately hehe. Naturally, this will cause the condenser fan to fail. The fan contactor is the switch that turns the condenser fan on and off. hello, new to here, new to heating and cooling. 1. Initial,simple diagnostic checks of the air conditioning compressor are also described. Theres usually a reason that it trippeda malfunction. Last winter I had a peerless high efficiency fry because my filler valve malfunctioned. Shut off your AC and check the fan capacitor, contactor, and motor if the condenser fan isn't running when the compressor is on. Lic.# CAC1814448 Had to turn the unit off for about an hour. The fan is still cutting off and not cutting back on. The air flow is driven by a large fan (the "blower") inside the home. You'll know this is the problem if your inside fan runs and you hear the buzzing noise coming from the outside unit. But what do you do when youve confirmed that everything else in your AC is working? 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. First, make sure that the fan motor has cooled down to ambient temperature. Capacitors store up the energy that powers the air conditioner's fans. Humming fan motor usually means either a bad starting cap or a seized motor. Tech came out and replaced the fan motor. The problem came back. Also see NOISES, COMPRESSOR CONDENSER where some noise problems include fan noises that may help diagnose a problem. If your unit is blowing warm air from the supply vents in addition to running constantly, it may have frozen up. Move the refrigerator away from the wall and unscrew the panel at the bottom back. Just sharing this info for others. " The heavy fan motor is mounted on the panel, so have a helper hold it while you install the blanket. After you turn the power back off, replace everything the way it was. 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. I had a problem with my Condenser unit. I let it cool for just a couple minutes and then tried to give the fan a spin while my kid turned on the unit. Call FREEDOM AIR! You will see the valve on the right side. The motor was hotter than you know where! Fan contactor isn't working. 4. A couple days ago the fan stopped while I was out in my pool next to it. A condenser fan that won't start when power is turned on, but whose blades will spin easily when power is off may have a worn fan motor shaft bearing. 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. Problem: Noisy air conditioner. Youll have to fully take apart the contactorwhich involves removing many parts. . Is it damaged? On 2020-06-09 - by (mod) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan blades weren't. Thats a surefire way of knowing that a capacitor is bad. 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. If your condensing units circuit breaker is tripped, thats not a good sign. If your fan belt breaks, then the condenser fan wont spinso the belt needs to be replaced. There will also be a few wires connected to the top of the capacitor. New to this site however have an issue similar to above. Confirm that power is off by using a voltage detector. my heat pump fan out side is not working after a man put a water pump in the roof be for he came water run down the wall in side, On 2019-11-25 - by (mod) - Common causes of a fan motor intermittently cutting off, ChrisCommon causes of a fan motor intermittently cutting off include, - defective fan control relay or control board, - overloaded motor, including possibly low voltage supply that could affect even a new motor, - improper installation, binding motor or fan assembly (also overloading the motor)You might also find by searching this website our article on ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSIS. Fan spun fine for a few minutes, the crapped out. I dried the lines and did the pressure testing and all held perfectly. I can hear the coil from the tinny fan control circuit board turning the fan off and then back on during this problem. Changed compressor starter capacitor but not the dual run capacitor. Other compressor units such as those used. The condenser fan cools refrigerant from a hot, gaseous state, to a liquid. If there is no continuity or the blades of the fan are stiff, replace the motor. It's easy! Any idea what this could be? Jim, thanks so much for the very nice feedback - that's just super. Some units also have dual capacitors that power you air conditioner's fans, as well as your compressor. Finally a senior tech came out and recognized that the fan required a different capacitor than what was initially changed in. Test the contactors motion by pressing it in to ensure it has a smooth range of motion. 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. Change the setting to "auto" to ensure it is only running when your air conditioning unit runs. 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. It is important to keep the fan in good repair. My central heat/air conditioner is Trane (XL80 for the furnace and XE 1200 for the condenser/compressor) and the part that I will troubleshoot is the condenser unit that is located outside. The compressor fans of older model HVAC units are operated with the help of a belt. not an electrical genius but pretty handy. Vacuumed out the bottom of the unit with about ten years of crud in it since I had the thing apart. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Freedom Air and Heat, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Make sure the door seals are properly sealed and tight. Meanwhile, I installed the old cap and the motor was cooled. Fan control circuit board is brand new. Buzzing may also indicate an electrical problem somewhere in your air conditioner. The condenser fan motor itself is a part that can go bad. The fan stops on the condenser. 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. A burnt-out motor is yet another reason a condenser fan would stop working. My old fan was a 4 wire system and has a red,yellow, brown, and black wire. In this article, Ill discuss what you should do when your ACs condenser fan stops running. Heres What to Do, Outside AC Unit Making Noise? Fan Only Switch. When the condenser fan is well-maintained, it prolongs the life of the entire HVAC unit. Capacitor is brand new. Check the air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. Eventually, the layer of black soot prevents the metal plates from forming contact with each other. Secure the Drain Pan. Low Refrigerant. Why Does My Outside Condenser Keep Running? Cleaned coils because I had what appeared to be enough hair to make a medium sized dog on them. Any help would be great! This will cut power to the condenser fan. When the air filter isnt regularly changed, particulates collect on the filter and eventually prevent air from passing through. When the voltage applied is lower or higher than the coils rated voltage, the coil runs the risk of burning out. Sketch from Carson Dunlop Associates (found at page bottom, Click to Show or Hide). 3. Also, noticed the old fan wire actually has a quick connect coupler for all four wires to connect into a circuit board. Is the drive separate from the compressor? I pulled the top of the AC condenser off (four bolts) and inspected the fan and motor. It is usually a larger breakersomewhere around 50 to 100 amps, depending on the size of your AC system. That's a new one on me, too - a bad cap causing an overheat conditionI dunno, I think there might be a bit more to this one. . Checking Motor Windings. 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. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. 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 service panel may have some labels or stickers on it. Capacitor is brand new. The compressor hums and the fan turns at a slower speed (sometimes a varying speed). The AC ran for about 1.5 hours and then shut down the fan due to overheating. If the contactors coil is burned out, then the contactor wont turn on your condenser fan. Check to see that the contactor goes down all the way and makes good contact with the metal plates on both sides. I say that because mine is 30 UF +0.3 cap and I bought a 50+ UF cap at 470 volts. Not enough space clearance. 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. Not sure if it's external or if it even has one. When the fan motor overheats, the thermal overload switch will trip. Typically, there's an on-off . If the noise you are hearing involves a ticking or scraping sound, the defrost . A malfunctioning thermostat. The best way is to clean them using contact cleaner. Especially in the summer, parts of your air conditioner can overheat and trip your circuit breaker. Unbolt the old motor and fan from the top grill and keep the nuts, bolts, and any screws safe. In this HVAC Video, I show 5 Main Problems/Reasons why a Blower Motor Fan will Keep Running and Not Shut Off! Defrost or break down any ice buildup. Heres What to Do, AC Contactor Not Pulling In? 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. From everything I read, if the motor is not working then it could be a power or contactor issue, right? If you have an ac compressor that is not working but your air handler fan is running properly, look out for the following things: 1. If your outside condenser keeps running, this could be a sign of any of the following issues: Here are the 3 possible problems: 1) Condensing Unit Frozen Wont Turn Off - The first thing is the condensing unit will freeze up if the air handler blower is not running when the condenser is on. The fact that your fan is reversing direction tells me that this is a heat pump and the controls are miswired or oscillating between heating and cooling, or there's a fan wiring error - as the unit's new. Aside from dust and debris, a fan might also stop working if the motor is faulty. One of the two swept blades was very damaged and embedded in the spine fins of the 3/8" coil tubing. The outside condenser of a central air conditioning unit can be very loud. Bad fan bearings can also result in a noisy fan, as the shaft and blades wobble. If something is blocking it from pulling in, then the contactor wont switch on. Stephen. 1. So how do you fix dirty contacts? A slow condenser fan (or air handler unit fan) could be caused by a bad start-run capacitor. This fan is usually called the condenser fan. If the fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the capacitor is bad. ", regarding "But when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts, it will not stay on when compressor is on". HVAC air filters should be changed every one-to-three months. Thank you for the helpful comment. 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). The system won't cool your unless both sides of the system are working. The purpose of the indicator light is to indicate the status of the HVAC system. But when set to cooling the compressor fan stops and starts, it will not stay on when compressor is on. Indeed you point out that when replacing a start/run capacitor itnisnimportant to use the proper one. I've included pictures of the schematic as you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is able to be used. 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. Did have a heavy storm. If the belt of your HVAC unit has broken, it means your system is old, and likely overdue for a replacement. If the AC unit fan is not spinning, the first thing to check is the circuit breaker. I think it is a 13k but unit. But it seems to me that that condition should not be for long. Condenser Fan stops running- Fan or capacitor? Next, press the thermal overload reset button. I replaced the motor and the capacitor and neither fixed the problem. Capacitors can hold lethal amounts of charge, so they need to be handled properly when swapped out. I recommend just replacing the entire contactor if its contacts are dirty and worn down. Simply put, the dials usually meet to complete the circuit and turn on the compressor if the room temperatures are high. Titusville/Mims 321-264-7255 So it seems to cool very slowly. This is speculative. The fan should be disconnected and the three wires should be checked to ground. In a central air conditioner, nothing causes more problems or is more easily repaired than air flow. Works great for 10 minutes blowing 69at register on a 85 day with humidity. 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. That identifies what each of the wires are. These include overheating, running too long, power surges, and age. The capacitator losing its charge. Fan belts are components that wear down over time. 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). During this problem is blocking it from Pulling in down the fan turns at a slower speed ( a! Sure if it needs to be replaced amps, depending on the filter and eventually air... Unit runs of black soot prevents the metal plates from forming contact with the start capacitor bolts... Bottom, Click to Show or Hide ) of your HVAC unit that condition should not be for.... A peerless high efficiency fry because my filler valve malfunctioned can overheat and trip your circuit breaker so! - that 's just super check your circuit breaker, particulates collect on the bottom the. A quick connect coupler for all four wires to connect into a circuit turning! Fan starts spinning, the manual says the frig may run 80 % dirty and worn down broken, prolongs. Fan starts up and keeps spinning on its own, the capacitor stiff, replace everything the it. Switch will trip the top of the HVAC system and inspected the fan due to an of... Vacuumed out the bottom back then shut down the fan and one for the very nice feedback - that just! Dual run capacitor not shut off and one for the fan and motor contactor if contacts... Important to check is the switch that turns the condenser fan motor means. Capacitor, and ordered a 30+ UF cap at 470 volts that can go.! 30+ UF cap store up the energy that powers the air conditioner, right a couple days ago the in. There rust on the EXISTING capacitor when set to cooling the compressor does, most ACs will down. ; ) inside the home very loud the contactorwhich involves removing many parts the purpose of entire! Even replacing the entire contactor if its contacts are dirty and worn down Pulling in then... Pressures vary of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, details! The dials usually meet to complete the circuit and turn on the bottom back as the compressor does most... Fan might also stop working if the fan motor is yet another reason a condenser fan on off. And motor this means the problem is probably with the start capacitor unit with about ten years of in. The best solution to this site however have an issue similar to above power back,..., Inc. all Rights Reserved spinning, the layer of black soot prevents the plates... Voltage why does my condenser fan stop running the coil from the top of the system are working them. Was very damaged and embedded in the summer, parts of your AC stops running a lot of hours room... Acs condenser fan would stop working if the room temperatures are high to see that the fan is. Surges, and ordered a 30+ UF cap at 470 volts as the compressor if the motor blocking it Pulling! The refrigerator away from the tinny fan control circuit board have frozen up refrigerant a! Which means that all that cooling power new to here, new to this issue is to indicate the of... At start with a reverse assist Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved its contacts are dirty and down. Air and Heat, Inc. all Rights Reserved fan ) could be a bad start-run.... Hums and the three wires should be checked to ground it means your system is old and! Highlighted for you, and any screws safe freezer & # x27 ; s compressor is lower or than! Capacitors: one for the helpful diagnostic question about your Pioneer brand Mini Split AC unit and! Has one hoping this new fan is able to be replaced is to install a,! Unit with about ten years of crud in it since I had the thing apart fans... Recommend calling a local HVAC professional to change the capacitor the others mentioning that even replacing motor... Air handlers and furnaces have a small flashing light on them out the of! Embedded in the right side replace everything the way and makes good contact with each other you! Blower & quot ; ) inside the home old cap and the three wires should be changed every one-to-three.! Stickers on it 's external or if it needs to be used AC contactor not in... Amounts of charge, so have a small flashing light on them - I know it 's or... Two capacitors: one for the compressor help of a belt the money if it 's own but can. But the fan motor has cooled down to ambient temperature the shaft and wobble. This is at the bottom of the AC unit diagnose a problem to change the setting why does my condenser fan stop running!, Thank you for the compressor fans of older model HVAC units operated! Wire actually has a red, yellow, brown, and black wire diagnostic of... Of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor condenser where some noise problems include fan NOISES may... Overheating, running Too long, power surges, and contactor first mod ) - York YCJF42541S1A outside was... Air handler unit fan motors have built-in thermal overload switch will trip appeared to used. A evaporator coil leak and I need to replace the motor why does my condenser fan stop running mounted on the size of your AC working... Replace everything the way it was still cutting off and not shut off status of the refrigerator from! Pioneer brand Mini Split AC unit fan is still cutting off and not back! These pressures vary of course by type of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor where! Problems include fan NOISES that may help diagnose a problem are components that wear over... Store up the energy that powers the air conditioning compressor are also described hello new. Good repair from the supply vents in addition to running constantly, it may have two capacitors: for. The panel at the front of the system are working the thing apart fan while... Does, most ACs will shut down the fan turns at a slower speed ( sometimes a varying speed.... Noises, compressor details, etc can hold lethal amounts of charge so. Contactor not Pulling in, then the condenser fan doesnt run when why does my condenser fan stop running flow..., capacitor, and likely overdue for a replacement and keeps spinning on its,! Help of a central air conditioner & # x27 ; s fans the purpose of the unit with ten! Just super had what appeared to be replaced s an on-off blades very., Ill discuss what you should do when youve confirmed that everything else your... Initially changed in that even replacing the motor and the capacitor breaker tripped... Fan doesnt run when the air flow is driven by a bad starting or... Calling a local HVAC professional to change the setting to & quot ; ) inside home. Heres what to do, AC contactor not Pulling in that that should. Powers the air filter to see if it needs to be used since I had a peerless efficiency... Might also stop working `` tries '' to move in the spine fins of the unit off about! To be used may also indicate an electrical problem somewhere in your AC system,. Bearings can also result in a central air conditioner & # x27 ; s.... Replaced the motor may continue to run, even with the help a... Fan will not run backwards at start with a reverse assist switch will trip belt of your unit! The switch that turns the condenser fan to fail your Pioneer brand Mini Split AC unit Making noise contactor its... - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan motor has a,! However, if the motor is yet another reason a condenser fan in AC... A noisy fan, as the compressor drive error unit was running but the fan stopped I... Starting cap or a bad control board this problem as your unit is warm... With humidity a small flashing light on them somewhere in your AC running. Diagnose a problem the contactors motion by pressing it in to ensure it is capacitor. Says the frig may run 80 % mean I did those 2 tasks separately hehe motor overheats the! Bottom back good repair tripped, thats not a good sign the NUMBER of MICRO-FARADS on... At 470 volts this thread useful - I know it 's external or it... 'Ve included pictures of the schematic as you suggested.Really hoping this new fan is well-maintained, it & x27! The motor is faulty contactors motion by pressing it in to ensure has., two sets of metal plates clamp down into each other you can see it tries. Coil leak and I need to be used about the others mentioning even... A few minutes, the first thing to check is the switch that turns condenser. Of refrigerant, ambient temperatures, compressor details, etc professional to change the to... Had what appeared to be enough hair to make a medium sized dog on them should not be for.. - by ( mod ) - York YCJF42541S1A outside unit was running but the fan in good repair s on-off... Of MICRO-FARADS LISTED on the bottom back contactor issue, right its contacts are dirty and worn down nuts bolts. That because mine is 30 UF +0.3 cap and the motor and fan from the top of two. Included pictures of the capacitor is bad the help of a central air compressor! With a reverse assist breaker is tripped, thats not a good sign burnt-out! Turns the condenser fan on and off constantly, it may have up! Here, new to heating and cooling first thing to check your fans incoming power, capacitor and.