Help – AC Out!!

Have Central Air unit, installed in 2003, was working yesterday. Noticed today that it was not keeping up. Now it is not running. Fan is going on the furnace, but the outside unit is not running.

Ok, went out to check the unit outside again. Making an odd sound, as though it is getting power but the fan can’t spin. Top of the fan grate was very hot to the touch.

Any ideas? Stuck? Should I attempt to open it up and look for something stopping the fan?

Where do I start to look for issues before getting a pro out?

Thanks,

Eric

Freon leak…from this arm chair HVAC anti stadium guy.

Is it short cycling at all?

Just answered my question. Turn it off until you can get someone out to look at it.

I’m thinking the stars…na can’t do it.

Check your breaker and fuses first.
Good luck

Freon leak?

Might explain the family speaking in extremely high pitched voices today like Munchkins???????

I think I’ll shut her down. Fuses/breakers appeared ok.

ET

That’s helium big guy.

It wouldn’t be hot if the breakers blew. Although they could have popped after she heated up.

They always go out when we need them the most. I think it’s planned that way so we don’t care what the cost is…just FIX it!

We turn our AC on for the 1st time today. The outside fan in the compressor unit will not spin. I took a screw driver and turn the fan. It started spinning and everything is working great. Something may have gotten into the fan to stop it. If it spins right away, listen for strange noise (grinding noise of stuck object). If this continues, you may have to take it apart of better visual.

I would shut it off condensor fan maybe bad or bad run capicitor for the condensor fan and give a repair guy a call

Hey Eric, Same thing happened to me today It was making bad sounds and the fan wasnt spinning so I shut it off, cleaned it out and let it cool down for about an hour. When I turned it on it sounded OK but the fan wasnt spinning, after a few minutes it started to sound bad again so I spun the fan with a stick and it started. Decided to let it cool for a while and restarted it the same way. Sounds OK now but the fan will not start by itself so I have HVAC repair guy coming out in the morning to give it a check up (probably install a new fan).

I can’t quote the last post but moreyes is most likely the right answer as thats all I’ve done lately good luck Stan

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I would shut it off condensor fan maybe bad or bad run capicitor for the condensor fan and give a repair guy a call

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Sounds like this is the problem. I deal with Pop Machines and this happens often. Even if you do get the fan spinning it could stop again anytime so you are best off with a new or rebuilt fan motor.

UPDATE: The fan called it quits completely now

Last fall our refrigerator died too. After alot of reading I have came to the conclusion that a 5-7 year lifespan for the condensor/fan in a refrigerator or central air unit is pretty common. It is cheaply made CRAP!! Most only have a 5 year warranty too.

Update:

The fan would spin for 5-7 minutes then shut down. I got it going again once, but now its not starting up at all. I shut it down for the night, opened all the windows. I’m sure I’ll get to sleep around 3 or 4 am. Can’t stand humidity.

Have a repair guy coming around 9:00 am.

ET

Just curious, this condensor fan motor have oil holes perchance?

Many do and if you don’t oil them you shorten the life considerably.

When they install the new one make sure you ask them if it does have oil holes and once a year put a couple drops in it.

Al…which rememinds me I need to check mine…:)

Where would one find these holes and what type of oil should a person use?

Thanks!

Sounds like what happened to mine yesterday. Fan stopped turning but compressor was running. Fan motor would seize when it got hot then spin when it cooled down. I could hear/feel a problem when turning fan by hand. The bearings were obviously toast. I replaced the fan motor and it was good to go. I also replaced the capacitor since I was in there but I dont think that was bad. The fan motor is not difficult if your electrically inclined. Parts may be difficult to obtain since the industry generally has a scam going to force us to use their service people and spend many hundreds more than we could easily do it for ourselves. Start by calling authorized dealers. I found one yesterday in Lake Elmo that would sell to me. PM if you have questions.

Look on each end of the motor, usually towards the center or on the edge.
They are holes about a 1/8th of a inch in diameter, maybe plugged with a plastic or aluminum cap, just pry them out with a thin bladed screwdriver.

Places like Dey Appliance and probably menards and such have a plastic oil containers with a “zoom spout” on them, usually 20 or 30wt non detergent oil.

Something like this

http://www.zoomspoutoiler.com/

Hope this helps.

Al

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Where would one find these holes and what type of oil should a person use?

Thanks!

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Contractor came out and capacitor was blown. He ran to town and found a replacement and I’m good to go for <$100.

Whew!

Sounds like really simply preventive maintenance to me. Thanks Al!!

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Sounds like really simply preventive maintenance to me. Thanks Al!!

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Works for your furnace motors too, not all have the oil holes, but many still do.

Little oil may save ya some money.

Glad to help.

Al