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View Full Version : Condenser Fan Overheats and stops running


Arvi
Jun 8, 2007, 02:34 PM
Hello,

My condenser unis is outside and the Fan kick starts fine when the unit turns on... but then after few minutes the condenser Fan (outside) stops... AC unit continues to run thus only resulting in pumping the hot air... It is happening over and over again... I am in Plano, Texas... Probably the heat has something to do this... but what can I do now to get this up and running... I read in this forum about capacitor and contactor, but I have no clue about these as far as where they are and how to replace them...

I have a new born at home and this is the only unit I have. I need to get this working again ASAP... Any help/suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

/* ++++ THIS IS NOW FIXED ++++ */

Arvi
Jun 8, 2007, 02:41 PM
Yes, it is a Carrier A/C Unit... Outside Condenser Motor says GE on it... Not sure how old these are really.

esquire1
Jun 8, 2007, 03:47 PM
Your condensing motor is bad and going off on it's internal overload

Arvi
Jun 8, 2007, 04:23 PM
Thanks esquire1... But the consdensing unit (or compressor) continues to run... it is only the fan that stops and not the whole unit... I continue to hear the hzzzz noise from the unit outside... Do you still think the condensing motor is gone bad? Also, if I pour 2 buckets of water on the fan & coil, and restart the unit, Fan runs again fine for 5 minutes before stopping again... Also, when I pour the water on the Fan (unit is off), I see the smoke (hot) coming off the fan/motor... Does that lead to any?

esquire1
Jun 8, 2007, 04:54 PM
Thanks esquire1... But the consdensing unit (or compressor) continues to run... it is only the fan that stops and not the whole unit... I continue to hear the hzzzz noise from the unit outside... Do you still think the condensing motor is gone bad? Also, if I pour 2 buckets of water on the fan & coil, and restart the unit, Fan runs again fine for 5 minutes before stopping again... Also, when I pour the water on the Fan (unit is off), I see the smoke (hot) coming off of the fan/motor... Does that lead to any?

Yes, Pouring water on the fan motor is cooling it down and resetting the overload. The fan motor is shot. Replace it along with a new capacitor. Always replace the capacitor when changing out a motor. Replace the motor with the same that is in it now

letmetellu
Jun 8, 2007, 05:43 PM
Take esquire1's advice, no other checking need be done. And I would be careful pouring water on and electric motor.

hvacservicetech_07
Jun 8, 2007, 11:00 PM
The water thing may not be such a good idea! I agree with the above answers, replace the motor. I wouldn't advise you to continue to run the unit without a fan, this may damage your compressor.

Arvi
Jun 9, 2007, 10:45 AM
Thanks a bunch guys... That's exactly what the issue was... I had home warranty company tech come in today... Tech checked and found the capacitor was bad, you can tell looking at it itself, it was bulgy... he changed it... then ran the unit again and checked the motor... it was pulling 4.4 instead of 1.4, which makes it overheat in few minutes and to break again... He changed the motor also... Checked to make sure it only pulls 1.4 as specified... Now the unit runs smooth... Thanks again for all the help guys.