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Started By
Message
My a/c condenser fan isn't turning. Bad motor or capacitor likely?
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:09 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:09 pm
Sucks that it happens this late at night. Is it something that I can fix myself tomorrow? FML. 
11
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:12 pm to LSUSUPERSTAR
Can be many things, but the few times it has happened to me, it has been the capacitor.
You can manually get it spinning in some instances as a temporary fix. I've gone outside with a spatula to get mine spinning
I don't recommend that.
You can manually get it spinning in some instances as a temporary fix. I've gone outside with a spatula to get mine spinning
I don't recommend that. 
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:14 pm to LSUSUPERSTAR
two questions first
1: Is it making a humming sound?
2: Does it turn freely when off (use a stick) or does it stop quickly?
1: Is it making a humming sound?
2: Does it turn freely when off (use a stick) or does it stop quickly?
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:14 pm to LouisianaLady
quote:
I've gone outside with a spatula to get mine spinning I don't recommend that.
I think I will pass on that. We have box fans that I think will get us through the night. I'll try to look at it in the morning.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:15 pm to LSUSUPERSTAR
It's the motor. Just happened to my grandfather last week. You could try but make sure the breaker is off. He ended up calling an A/C service and it was a $500 job parts included.
This post was edited on 6/23/15 at 11:16 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:15 pm to cave canem
1. Yes makes a humming sound
2. Not trying that
2. Not trying that
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:17 pm to knight_ryder
quote:
$500 job parts included.
Damn, the unit is less than 3 yrs old. I think I'm going to pull up the model and see if I can replace the motor and capacitor myself.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:21 pm to LSUSUPERSTAR
I'm pretty sure you can. His unit is about 5 years old. Plus he's 67 so he's not in the best shape to replace a motor. Hell he didn't even know about the breaker. Whatever you do don't try to get advice from a A/C guy unless he's close. They're just going to go on and on until you give in and let them replace it.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:21 pm to knight_ryder
quote:
It's the motor. Just happened to my grandfather last week. You could try but make sure the breaker is off. He ended up calling an A/C service and it was a $500 job parts included.
It could be the motor: less than $100 DIY
It could be the capacitor: Way less $ DIY
It could be a relay: maybe or maybe not DIY depending on the OP's skills with a multitester.
I would quit my job and change out fan motors all day long at $500 a pop, it is a 20 min job and USUALLY a $60-80 motor.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:25 pm to cave canem
Funny you said that because the guy was in and out in 45 mins. My grandfather was pretty pissed because he quoted him $300. Then went on a rant after the job about extra b.c. I was on the phone with him the whole time and the guy refused to talk to me. But it was 90 degrees in the house so it is what it is.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:26 pm to LSUSUPERSTAR
quote:
1. Yes makes a humming sound
99.99999 it is capacitor. you most likely have a combo start/run capacitor.
It will look like a silver beverage can most likely, it could be an oblong oval though.
Should have 4 wires plugged into the top. Easily replaced and cheap. Turn the power off, remove the service cover and you will see it. take a pic of the wires and remove.
go to local HVAC supply store and get new one with SAME capacities. Replace and rewire. SHOULD be 20-50 bucks for a new one.
Plenty of youtube videos out there
Good luck
Edit to add capacitors store energy: DO NOT touch two prongs at the same time. It won't hurt you but it will scare the bejesus out of you.
This post was edited on 6/23/15 at 11:34 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 11:34 pm to cave canem
^^^^^^ X2
Posted on 6/24/15 at 5:10 am to LSUSUPERSTAR
3 years might be under warranty, 1yr parts and labor/5 yr parts is somewhat common. My bro in the business said to check cap first since it's cheap. If the cap is swollen even a little bit it's bad. Just remember to pull the disconnect before jacking withit.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 5:54 am to LSUSUPERSTAR
quote:
the unit is less than 3 yrs old
That should still be under warranty. Just happened to mine as well for our upstairs unit that was 3 years old. $130 and he came out and replaced the motor, capacitor and whatever else he needed to
Posted on 6/24/15 at 6:35 am to LSUSUPERSTAR
Check the capacitor. You can usually buy one for less than 30 and it's pretty easy to install
This post was edited on 6/24/15 at 6:36 am
Posted on 6/24/15 at 6:45 am to LSUSUPERSTAR
Do you have a reset switch on your AC unit?
A lot of times when the fan isn't turning it has thrown its internal breaker. There should be a small reset button on the outside of your AC unit around where all the electrical goes in.
A lot of times when the fan isn't turning it has thrown its internal breaker. There should be a small reset button on the outside of your AC unit around where all the electrical goes in.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 6:56 am to Hawgeye
Had to replace my motor couple years ago, was about $325. The part was about $200. I checked the price on-line. Thought that was pretty fair.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 7:04 am to LSUSUPERSTAR
I recommend to everyone to go get the capacitor that fits your AC unit now.
Just save it in a closet and when, not if, the original capacitor hoes bad, you've got your instant fix.
These things invariably go out on a Friday night when the forecast is for 95 degrees.
Just save it in a closet and when, not if, the original capacitor hoes bad, you've got your instant fix.
These things invariably go out on a Friday night when the forecast is for 95 degrees.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 7:08 am to East Coast Band
Do I need to discharge the capacitor before removing or just not touch the contacts? It looks like the Grainger near me has the one I need ~$50.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 7:09 am to lsuwins3
My capacitor had a bulge in it that was so small I almost did not notice it. It was bad though. I replaced it at Ace hardware for $25.
Your unit also has a few relays. They will occasionally get some crap, or a speck of dust in them. Tap them with a screwdriver handles and whatever it is usually comes out.
The relay buzzing is quite a bit louder than the buzzing caused by a bad capacitor.
Your unit also has a few relays. They will occasionally get some crap, or a speck of dust in them. Tap them with a screwdriver handles and whatever it is usually comes out.
The relay buzzing is quite a bit louder than the buzzing caused by a bad capacitor.
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