Wiring looks good.

Does it matter if capcitor is touching metal ? We had no way to attach the new capiter. The old capiter with 3 wires is enclosed in plastic tube, so we did not remove it, just bypassed it. New capiter has 2 wires, instead of 3.

When we unplug the new capitor, fan still spins slowly. Could our "new" capiter be defective?

We assume the burning smell is from the fan not spinning fast enough? Any clue to what we have happening here?


Thank you

`Does it matter if capacitor is touching metal? ?´

That depends on the qualifications of the capacitor. If it has a metal housing and that housing is connected in any way to the electric parts inside, yes than it does matters.

´... the old capiter with 3 wires is enclosed in plastic tube, so we did not remove it, just bypassed it. New capiter has 2 wires, instead of 3.´

It is important to replace the capacitor with a similar one of the same value.
Disconnect the old one, and check the value printed on it. Find the value of... uF (= micro Farad). Make sure that the new capacitor is of the same value.

´When we unplug the new capitor, fan still spins slowly. Could our "new" capiter be defective?´

The capacitor is required to start the motor turning, and once the motor is turning to keep the speed as required by the designers.
Disconnecting the capacitor once the motor is turning will reduce the speed, but not stop it.

´We assume the burning smell is from the fan not spinning fast enough? any clue to what we have happening here?´

I assume that the capacitor is of a too high value, and causes the fan motor to overheat, and than slow down because of that.
Make sure you have the correct capacitor value. At this momemt you run the risk of the fan motor to burn out.