How to Test a Condenser Fan

by DoItYourself Staff

If you’re refrigerator isn’t getting cold enough, then maybe there’s something wrong with the condenser fan. The condenser fan is what draws or pushes ambient air across the heat exchanger coils of the condenser containing superheated refrigerant. This causes the refrigerant to cool and contract. The refrigerant is then drawn into the compressor on the suction side and compressed, then pumped to the accumulator or receiver/dryer. A metering orifice valve then sprays it under pressure into the cooling coils in the shelves and walls of the refrigerator, cooling the inside of the refrigerator. This article will list for you some troubleshooting steps to use if you believe your condenser fan isn’t working.

Troubleshooting Tools Required

You won’t need many tools to troubleshoot condenser fan problems.

A non-contact voltage detector. These are also known in the trades as a tick tracer or inductive voltage tester.
A multi-meter capable of testing upwards of 200 volts of alternating current. This needs to have a resistance function also.
A good source of light.

Testing

When troubleshooting, start at the easiest things to check and then get progressively harder, unless there are common failure items that should be checked first.

Pull the refrigerator out from the wall far enough to get to the bottom of it comfortably.
Unplug the cord.
Check to see if there are any fuses, and if present, verify continuity on them using the resistance function of the meter.
Check to make sure all wires and plugs are securely connected. Reconnect or tighten any loose connections.
Remove part of the protective cage from around the condenser fan and make sure it spins freely. If not, replace.
If the condenser fan spins freely, find the tag on the fan with the voltage and current requirements. Write these down.
Plug the refrigerator back in.
Run the voltage detector/tick tracer along the wires going to and from the condenser. It should light up and make noise. If it does, proceed to the next step, if not, skip to step 10.
Use the voltage function on the multi-meter to check the voltage present at the motor. Compare with what was written down. If more than 5% less than specified, call a repair-person. What is wrong is beyond the scope of this article.
Follow the supply wires to origination.
Check for the presence of voltage and the amount, if found. Typically, this is going to be 115 volts.
If voltage is found on the supply side, but not the fan motor side, unplug the cord and check the resistance of the wire by placing the leads at either end of it. If there is no reading, or it reads significantly higher than 0, the needs to be replaced.
Adjust the refrigerator to its lowest/coldest setting and recheck at the fan side for the presence of voltage.
If no voltage is present, then the fan control switch needs to be replaced.

While working on the condenser fan is being worked on, clean the condenser and fan protection cage as well as possible to assist in maintaining peak efficiency.