AC Condensor Fan Locking Up?

[moody7]

Hello All!

I'm having a problem and I'm hoping someone can give me some advise on it? A few nights ago, I was laying in bed... I heard the blower unit (in my attic) kick on, and generally 2 or 3 seconds later, the unit outside kicks on. Well, instead of the unit outside kicking on (it's a Carrier (Model 38BRB)), I heard a loud clicking sound (like it was trying to start) and the fan didn't start. A few seconds passed (maybe 30 sec?) heard the loud sound again, and the fan didn't start still. Maybe after the 5th time (and it seemed to always be the same time distance apart from when it tried to kick on), the unit kicked on and everything seemed fine.

It has been doing this on and off now for the past couple of days. Sometimes it will start right up, other times it will make that loud noise (like I mentioned above) and after some time, it will kick on.

I should add, this morning, it was doing it again, so I went out to the unit and looked at it. Whenever I heard the loud noise, the fan moved slightly (like it was trying to start but it was locked or something). After 5 or 6 tries, the fan started moving.

What does this sound like to you guys?

Does my condensor fan need to be lubricated or something? (the unit is 10 years old.)

Thanks in advance!

Stephen

[hiltontech]

It could be that your capacitor which gives a boost for your fan motor to start up has failed.
Turn the breaker that powers your unit to off,remove the side cover to your unit, then get a meter and check to make sure you have no power going to your unit, check it at the contactor, if your not sure you know what you are doing asked some one who does, don't want you to harm yourself in anyway.
Inspect your capacitor, see if it's swollen or oily, if it looks like it needs to be changed out go and get you a new capacitor and do the change out, before you remove the capacitor get an insulated screwdriver and discharge it by touching both post at the same time with the screwdriver.
Also, inspect the contactor while your in there for lose wires or burn marks.
Again, make sure that the power is off before you do anything.


HiltonTech

[moody7]

Thanks for responding HiltonTech!

I cut the power to the unit, took off the panel, and took the following pictures. The capacitor looks fine to me (not oily or anything), but I did see I guess what you'd call burn marks on what I suppose is the connector (I'm not sure what it's called)?

Also, I took the fan off and I was able to turn it easily. Additionally, when I put the panel back on and cut on the power, the fan started up without a hitch.

Here are the pics (Image 1 (http://www.m-tegrity.com/images/Im000760.jpg) ,Image 2 (http://www.m-tegrity.com/images/Im000761.jpg) ,Image 3 (http://www.m-tegrity.com/images/Im000762.jpg) ). What do you think? Does the capacitor look swollen or anything? (As you can tell, I'm a COMPLETE NEWBIE at this.. and I REALLY appreciate the help you've given thus far ! :))

Stephen

Images 3 shown below
<img src="http://www.m-tegrity.com/images/Im000762.jpg">

[hiltontech]

It appears the contactor needs to be changed, I would call a tech or some one who knows how to change it out safely and change the contactor out, wouldn't be a bad idea to change the capacitor too while you have the panel off being the age of the unit because they fairly cheap.
Let us know how it turns out for you.
If you have anymore questions just let us know.

HitlonTech

[moody7]

Cool, I'll get that done. From looking at it, it doesn't look difficult to switch out? (While I'm a newbie with A/C systems, I'm not so much with electrical stuff - took apart my kenwood receiver and had to solder some connections to fix it the other day! LOL)

With that said, what's involved in changing it? Is it as simple as cutting power to the unit, disconnecting the wires that lead to the capacitor, then disconnect the wires leading from the power source, then reversing the steps to reinstall it? (the capacitor looked simple too, and from working on car audio systems, I know those things can knock you on your butt if you aren't careful).

Thanks again!

[hiltontech]

Make sure that your 100% sure that you have no power going to the unit after turning the breaker to the off position which gives power to you unit, if you know how to use a volt meter check and see that there is no power to the unit, then write down where the wires go , you have pics of the contactor and capacitor so that will help, bring both with you to a hardware store or hvac business and show them what you need to make sure you have the right parts.
You should be ok once the parts are changed out.
Let us know how it turns out for you.

HiltonTech

[Grady]

Make sure you get one with the same microfarad ratings as the existing one. Voltage can be the same or higher but not lower. The terminals should be marked "Common", Fan, & Hermetic", or some abreviation thereof.

[moody7]

Hiltontech, Grady

Thanks again! I'll use my volt meter to make sure no power is going to the unit. Once I do the job (probably in a week), I'll post the results, with the hope that maybe it will help someone else out down the road.

Blessings to you!

Stephen

[hiltontech]

"with the hope that maybe it will help someone else out down the road"

That's what it's all about Moody
Good luck to you

HiltonTech

[ACEngineer]

Your problem is one of the 2 things in the following order.
1. A dying / aging capacitor
2. An old fan motor that needs replacing.

Try to get a new capacitor and replace it and make sure that the fan works consistently at hot / cold times of the day. If so leave it as is.
2. If it still does that, change the fan motr. You can re-use the blade.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the fan motor for wiring.
No matter what your salesman says, read the instruction, and if not clear, call the toll free tech support to get some help.
It is very important that you wire the fan right since the wiring can determine which direction the fan turns.
Good Luck.
ACEngineer