Air Conditioner problem

[n2ize]

I decided to test my window air conditioner today. It turns on okay, the compressor is running but the fan does not seem to be running. No air is blowing through the louvers and if I put it on fan only there is nothing. Last time I used it (last fall) the fan ran fine.

Wondering if I am going to need a new fan motor, a new starting condenser or, a whole new air conditioner ? Maybe the fan is just seized.

Any ideas ?

[WØTKX]

If you can get to the fan, it's probably gummed up with dirt and oil. Can you hand spin it, and see if it runs then? Sometimes you can clean and lube the fan bearings.

[KG4CGC]

Then test if the leads to the fan are producing the correct amount of power. Yes power but no fan, I think you have your answer.

[W5RB]

Yep , beware , there could be a bird or squirrel nest in there , occupied or not . Often you can reach the top of the blower fan by removing the front panel , enough to give it a manual spin . Some fans use start/run capacitors , and those may be worth replacing , depending on the symptoms , and the value of the unit . I'd bet on either a critter problem , or a bit of corrosion , an easy fix .

[w3bny]

Agree with Russ. Could also be the start cap for the fan. Some do have them and they do go bad. Especially if its a dual cap shared by the compressor.

[n2ize]

I would suspect that the compressor condenser and the motor condenser (if there is one) would be separate because the compressor starts and runs. The fan just doesn't blow. I guess the worst case scenario would be a blown motor. I have lots of electric motors around here. If I can find one that is about the right size and the same shaft length .and radius I might be able to retrofit a new motor. Worst cane I'll need an entirely new AC. This is about an 8K BTU window unit. They are not too expensive these days. Probably around $200 or so,

[W5RB]

Motors usually quit during use . Off-season faults are fairly likely to be capacitors , corrosion , critter nests or wire chews , etc.
Be ready to catch a face full of nest materials , or possibly live wasps , when you go pokin' around in there . Time to quit guessin' and have a look .

[n2ize]

Motors usually quit during use . Off-season faults are fairly likely to be capacitors , corrosion , critter nests or wire chews , etc.
Be ready to catch a face full of nest materials , or possibly live wasps , when you go pokin' around in there . Time to quit guessin' and have a look .

Yep... I will probably yank it later this week and have a look inside. First and foremost I'll be careful of anything that may have decided to take up residence in there over the winter. Then I'll check the components. I'll post my findings or any other questions here..

[W3MIV]

Clogged with mummified stink bug carcasses.

[kc7jty]

YES ON THE GUMMED OIL! It can cause a motor's bearings to seize. Disassemble, clean well with acetone, and re-lube with a quality paraffin base blower/turbine oil of the recommended viscosity. (if you can't turn the fan by hand)
http://www.kingssupply.com/item37.htm

[NQ6U]

If it's a squirrel cage type blower, you'll want to check on the health of the squirrels. Maybe you forgot to feed them over the winter?

[W5RB]

If it's a squirrel cage type blowers, you'll want to check on the health of the squirrels. Maybe you forgot to feed them over the winter?

I hate when their nuts get caught in the fan .:shock:

[W3MIV]

I hate when their nuts get caught in the fan .:shock:

Think how THEY feel!

[X-Rated]

Think how THEY feel!

Think about how they feel when the blower is working properly?

[kb2vxa]

That's a common AC problem since the fan motors have crap porous bronze sleeve bearings surrounded by a felt washer soaked in oil. People tend to ignore them until they seize, keeping the felt soaked will extend their life. The worst case scenario is a lack of maintenance (running dry) leads to badly worn bearings putting the shaft out of alignment and the rotor jammed against the stator when energized. Before you go all out on the motor grab the shaft and yank it sideways, if there is any play the bearings are shot so even if you get it working they won't last long. The irony of it is the compressor works "forever" but you can't say that about the fan.

"Think about how they feel when the blower is working properly?"
Satisfied.

[K7SGJ]

Kinda brings a whole new meaning to blowing your nuts off.

[KG4CGC]

Just be careful, John. I inadvertently touched something with my forearm once while working on a furnace. I was exhaling smoke for a week.

[N5RLR]

I vote for start cap. For me usually it's been this that'd fail, on both window and central units. :yes: I write the date of replacement on new capacitors; thank goodness for Sharpies.

Oh, and I may be preaching to the choir, but...short a well-insulated screwdriver across the capacitor terminals before disconnecting -- and with your opposite hand preferably in a pocket.

[W1GUH]

If it turns out you need a new motor, there's an electrical supply place up in Elmsford (corner of the Sprain and 287, approx.), that'll take the old motor, find the proper replacement, and prep the new motor (cut the shaft, install the starting cap, etc.) to be a drop-in replacemnt for a decent price. IIRC, when they replaced an AC motor for me in '96, it was about $125 for everything. And they were good guys.