Hello all,

I have a Trane TR80 system coupled with an XE 1000 A/C unit, and a few nights ago, I noticed that it was a little warm in the house when I got home from work. The fittings for the outside unit and the condenser coil had a fair amount of frost on them, so I shut the unit off to defrost. Then I went back and noticed that the condenser fan motor was hot to the touch, and only spun fairly slowly when it ran at all and after a couple of minutes, it would kick off, likely due to thermal protection of some sort.

I replaced the furnace filter to see if maybe some sort of restriction wasn't allowing proper airflow, but that didn't help anything (wishful thinking on my part). My thoughts are that the motor is overheating due to internal high resistance, but after reading some online, I am now suspect of the capacitor and/or the contactor I've located the capacitor for the condenser fan motor, but I am unsure if this is the correct one (dual-run) for the compressor outside as well.

I haven't replaced any parts or altered any wiring as of yet, does anyone have any helpful suggestions? I haven't had much luck getting my hands on a replacement motor yet, but I'd also like to fix it correctly the first time. The motor currently installed is a GE 5KCP39HG-S599S Motor, from what I have found from researching that tonight, it appears that an A.O. Smith OLE1036A or an Emerson 5460 will fit the bill.

Specs are as follows: 4spd / 1075rpm / 115V / 60Hz / 5.8A

We've got a warm weekend approaching, and my wife is almost 7 months. Pregnant, I've got to get our AC going! Thanks in advance.

It might be wise just to replace the motor. You can use another 1/4 HP or go with a 1/3 HP. Usually a furnace only uses 2 speeds one for A/C and one for heat so a 3 speed motor will also fill the bill.

Most furnace blower motors are universal today and as long as the HP and voltage are correct it should be no big problem to change. Make sure you get a new capacitor that matches the new motor requirements and follow the wiring directions that are on the side of the new motor. Also make sure you get a motor that is reversible that way no matter how you hook it up you can change the rotation by just moving a wire or two or reversing a plug.

Since the wife could really use some cooling in her condition I would not fool around and get the motor replaced. Post back if you have any problems getting it hooked up and remember to turn the power off to the unit while working on it.

Well, as it turns out, the local Grainger supply had a Dayton capacitor that fit the bill of my old motor, replaced it and I am back in business. I purchased a replacement motor as well, I plan on keeping it just in case. Thanks for the help.