How do I know if my condenser fan motor is bad?

Be aware of the following signs and symptoms of a bad AC fan motor.

AC Fan Doesn’t Start. Even though you have the AC turned on, the fan does not start.
AC Fan Doesn’t Stop.
Slow Rotating Blades.
Outside Fan Blades Are Still.
Rattling, Humming and Buzzing Noises.
AC Runs Intermittently.
No Cold Airflow.

Are AC condenser fan motors interchangeable?

Although it is not too difficult to change a condenser fan motor, it is still possible to do it incorrectly. Some condenser fan motors turn 1075 RPM while others turn around 850 RPM. They are not interchangeable. If you can’t read the label on the old motor, take it apart and look at the number of poles.

What happens when a condenser fan motor fails?

These include overheating, running too long, power surges, and age. When the capacitor fails, the condenser fan will no longer rotate.

What causes a fan motor to overheat?

Lack of maintenance: This is probably the most common reason that causes condenser fan motors to overheat and shut off. Proper and regular lubrication of the fan motor is necessary for the motor to run smoothly. If the motor is too small, it will run too hard and then overheat.

How do I know what condenser fan motor I need?

Using the specifications of the fan blade is the best way to determine the correct horsepower for a replacement condenser fan motor. The diameter, angle and number of fan blades, along with the RPM of the motor, are the pieces of information necessary to make this determination.

What do you do if your condenser fan doesn’t work?

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).

How much does it cost to replace a condenser fan motor?

What’s the Cost of Repairing or Replacing a Fan Motor? The average cost of a condenser fan motor is between $300 and $500 (not including installation). If the compressor breaks, you are looking at a much costlier problem which could cost up to $2000. In some cases, your fan motor may be under warranty.

What happens when a fan motor overheats?

Telltale Signs Of Overheating Condenser fan motors overheat when they reach a temperature of roughly 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon overheating, the motor will stop running, halting the HVAC system and potentially damaging other vital components.

Will a bad capacitor cause a motor to overheat?

Run Capacitors If a run capacitor fails, the motor can display a variety of problems including not starting, overheating, and vibrating. A bad run capacitor deprives the motor of the full voltage it needs to operate correctly.