View Full Version : Outside fan motor bad or capacitor?
talking_goat
Aug 15, 2009, 04:36 AM
I came home late and found the house warmer than should be, looked at thermo and its set for 74 but reads 81 , so I go to vent its blowing room temp. So outside next to find the fan not spinning,I shut off ac inside and g back to outside unit . As I was trying to find the problem I smelled the fan and it smelled a little electrical stinky burn .Then I touch the top or backside of fan opposite blades and Wow hot!! I took off the top then set the motor on side and it still spins freely .So what do I do now motor change (its a ge/dayton part# 3LU76) or capacitor(dayton part# 2MDV4). Help me, need to fix so my 3 year old and my VERY PREGNANT WIFE can sleep in this 104 degree weather:confused:
Stratmando
Aug 15, 2009, 05:24 AM
If you can't test the Capacitor, Replace it, It is cheaper and Faster than the Motor.
If Cap doesn't work, it is the motor.
talking_goat
Aug 15, 2009, 05:32 AM
This may sound dumb ,where do istart to look for the capacitor , because what you said makes complete sense as to narrow the problem
Stratmando
Aug 15, 2009, 05:52 AM
Likely where the Electrical Connections are made. An Electrician will turn off Disconnect, remove cover at wiring location, Compressor and Motor may have separate Capacitors, or 1 capacitor for both, Wires will be identified, and reconnected with the new Capacitor.
It is easier to take accurate wiring notes as opposed to figuring where they go later.
talking_goat
Aug 15, 2009, 05:58 AM
Found it, it uses 1 cap,no starter help so I shut off the power to it I'm pull the wire and label each w/tape to remember , now I need to find someone in austin that sells these. Grainger is closed on weekends (buttholes) so I'm a start searching , thank you so much
Stratmando
Aug 15, 2009, 06:16 AM
Good Luck.
Is the Capacitor Bulging?
talking_goat
Aug 15, 2009, 01:59 PM
Wow its done , I had motor and cap tested and it was a bad "C"terminal on the cap sooo much thanks and I'm getting cold air now!! WOOOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!
Stratmando
Aug 15, 2009, 05:35 PM
Good Deal. It's a Girl, Take Care.
What was total Cost?
talking_goat
Aug 17, 2009, 04:05 AM
Total w/ figuring my gas to get part it took about $21.00 of my 3hr fiascoe.
I bought new cap. and motor for a total of $105.00 but my motor was still good so I'm taking the new 1 back for refund. Didn't even open the box, so 21.00 isn't nuth compared to paying a 115.00 service call for some 1 else to do exactly what I di. Well good deal then!
jenmo
Jul 27, 2012, 11:00 PM
I have a wiring question for our YORK AC which is about 11 yrs old and we just can't afford any type of professional service as we are still recoverying from our 30 yr old son's funeral costs 3 weeks ago. So when it rains it really pours as we soon found one our cars is no longer starting up. We hope that will be just a simple battery issue and a very low fuel in the tank. So here I am trying to do this on our own and we're seeking good advice.
We were told that either the capacitor or the compressor mmaybe the root cause as the fan still blows room temp air instead of cool. Someone the PGE rep tried to help but then told us they don't service AC repairs and so he went to our AC ubit and removed the capacitor and told us to replace this one first as it is cheaper. However, no one noted the wiring and where eveything was connected. I have 3 wires: brown, orange , yellow. So far most of what Ive read says the brown wire is for the fan. The dual capacitor has 3 terminals: 'C', 'HERM' and 'FAN". The 'FAN' and 'C' terminals have a black plastic ring connected to their terminals. The 'HERM; has a white plastic. Which one goes where. Please help anyone.
Stratmando
Jul 28, 2012, 06:41 AM
Does it have a schematic on the unit?
jenmo
Jul 28, 2012, 06:55 AM
Bad capacitor
jenmo
Jul 28, 2012, 06:56 AM
Does it have a schematic on the unit?
Yes it has a schematic on the unit
jenmo
Jul 28, 2012, 06:59 AM
If I read a schematic it shows brown wiring red wiring blck wiring. The open wires that were connected to the previous capacitor are brown orange and yellow.
jenmo
Jul 28, 2012, 07:47 AM
I can confirm that on the schematic the brown wiring is connected to the fan. Maybe this is an assumption but please let me know if otherwise. But the basci schematic for the dual capacitor involes the brown wiring. I can't figure out which color wiring (orange wiring or the light yellow/tanish color wiring) go to the 'HERM' and the 'C' on the capacitor unit. I feel the heat is starting to rise out here. I'm really trying not to damage the new capacitor by mis attaching the wrong wires.
Stratmando
Jul 28, 2012, 10:23 AM
Does a neighbor have the same unit as you?
jenmo
Jul 28, 2012, 10:44 AM
Does a neighbor have the same unit as you?
I tried to go to the neighbor but not home. Ill try again. Our neighbor I believe has the same unit but they do have a single story homw and not sure if having a dual mode HVAC system would make a difference. I will try to get over to one the units. Another concern I have is that our neighbor had purchased the 'Model' home which was here before any of the other homes which was 12 yrs ago.
On the reverse, we were able to purchase the very last home in this community from this builder. I hope not but Im hoping we will be able to look at our neighbors.
Also, is there a convention to AC color wiring? Can you let me know what the three terminals mean like the 'HERM' and 'C' ?