Have to manually start outside a/c fan
#1
04-13-06, 07:46 PM
Have to manually start outside a/c fan
I started my a/c for the first time a couple of days ago and the outside fan will not start. I have gas heating so the outside fan is just used for cooling. I opened the outside unit and manually started the fan. It started fine. Since then I started my a/c unit 5-6 times and the fan started ok each time. Today the fan stalled again, this time when the a/c was actually running. I started it manually and it started fine again. The fan seems to run at normal speed but i can feel warm air being blown from the unit outside when i hold my hand over it.
I am naive about a/c mechanics but on reading previous posts on this site I understand that this could be either a
1)capacitor problem or
2)Bad motor.
Also I am not sure if manually starting the fan is going to damage the unit? Is the fact that the outside unit is blowing warm air normal?
regards
Shailesh
I am naive about a/c mechanics but on reading previous posts on this site I understand that this could be either a
1)capacitor problem or
2)Bad motor.
Also I am not sure if manually starting the fan is going to damage the unit? Is the fact that the outside unit is blowing warm air normal?
regards
Shailesh
#2
04-13-06, 08:34 PM
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The warm/hot air is normal. This is heat that is taken out of your home, and dumping it outside.
POWER OFF, and with a screwdriver discharge the capacitor across the two termial (some has 3) Do it again a few min to make sure it's discharged, Otherwise you will be zapped!
Change it out, that will be a easy cheap start. if that don't work, then time for the fan motor.. Make sure you take it with you so it will match.
POWER OFF, and with a screwdriver discharge the capacitor across the two termial (some has 3) Do it again a few min to make sure it's discharged, Otherwise you will be zapped!
Change it out, that will be a easy cheap start. if that don't work, then time for the fan motor.. Make sure you take it with you so it will match.
#3
04-14-06, 05:06 AM
How do I replace the capacitor? Could not find a post that helps me do that. How do I find out if i have single capacitor for fan and compressor? I have Goodman equipment.
And I did not quite get the dishcharge part.
thanks
shailesh
And I did not quite get the dishcharge part.
thanks
shailesh
#5
04-14-06, 10:20 AM
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It's a silver round/oval can that has 2 or 3 wirs going to it.
Where the wires hook up on the tabs, short it out on the tab with a insulated screw driver. (metal to screw driver to metal) do it a couple of times to make sure it's discharged. otherwise, you'd be jumping!
If you feel you can't do it or feel unsafe call a Pro.
Where the wires hook up on the tabs, short it out on the tab with a insulated screw driver. (metal to screw driver to metal) do it a couple of times to make sure it's discharged. otherwise, you'd be jumping!
If you feel you can't do it or feel unsafe call a Pro.
#6
04-19-06, 09:17 AM
capacitor info
might want to bone up on capacitors a bit try this website i think it has some good pics hope this helps http://www.yorkcapacitor.com/
#7
05-07-06, 08:12 PM
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Have to manually start outside a/c fan
i have a metal box fan fan that i have to start the same way the stator is bad and needs to be replaced(its like a stater) but you would have to know how re-wire a moter i would say get a new moter if the capaciter don't solve the problem moters only have capaciters when heavy loads have to be started the help the starter along
#8
05-09-06, 07:13 PM
When you need to start it, is it humming?
Had the same problem with my fan, had to go manually start it with a paint stirer, then it would run fine. Found out it was a bearing going bad, and finally it did. If it the motor humms and then starts right up with a flip then look for little red or yellow plastic caps for oil holes, drop a few drops of 10w oil in there, don't over oil it and see if that gets it spinning on it's own, but if you have run it many times like I did manually get ready to buy a new motor down the road. Lubrication, dummy that I am never though about lubricating it.
