Air Conditioning - No Blower Fan

I just recently found this place and it looks to be quite the resource.

Here's my problem: The blower motor will not run. The motor will run if I give it a little nudge to start it turning. Once running it will stay running until the next time that it shuts down. Now, how do I tell if it is the motor that is bad or if it is the capicitor? Is there any way to test the capacitor?

Model: Goodman PGX048075 (AC/Gas heat, rooftop unit)
Blower motor:B13400-353 2sp 220v (GE#5kcp39kg {R696S})
Capacitor:12.5uF 370v

Thanks for any advice!
TAfool

You can try and find a TV shop with a Good Capacitor tester that has a voltage test function.
For less then $20 you should change it.
if you have an ohm meter you can do a basic test on the motor.

Since you say it runs if you give it a push is a very good sign that it's the capacitor. You can take that cap to any electric supply store, hvac supply store, or electric motor shop and buy a new one for $5 - $20 bucks.

Bad capacitor, easy and cheap fix.

WOOHOO!

Thanks for the tips. I was leaning towards a bad capacitor but wasn't sure how a bad one would affect the motor. Tomorrow morning I'll get one ($7.99 at the local electrical supply house) and pop it in. I'll let you know the outcome, good or bad!

Thanks again,
TAfool

Thanks a whole bunch! Capacitor replacement fixed it.

Cost of project: 4 hours time. $0 parts.

All the local electrical outlets had to order the part so I stopped by a A/C contractor that was kind enough to give me a used but good capacitor.

Thanks for th help,
TAfool

Glad to hear that your cooling once again.

I know this thread is a few years old, but I'm hoping the same fix will get my heat pump up and running.

Comfortmaker heat pump (no idea what model)
9.6 Kw heat strips

Blower quit on Saturday (could still smell that unique toaster heat smell but no fan). As per my Dad's suggestion- turned the system off for a couple hours and restarted. Blower worked for one cycle but didn't kick back on on the next one (toaster smell again). Inspected the unit and saw what looked like scorch marks on the shroud for the squirrel cage near one of the capacitor terminals.

If anyone ever reads this, I just have one question/solution:

If it does turn out to just be a bad capacitor I was thinking of using an old spray can top as a partial shroud to prevent any future arcing. Is there an actual product or boot for a capacitor (like there is on a car) or did I just answer my own question... try and find one off a car that might work?

Thanks for the help/input!

it should not arc if the capacitor is good just put a new one on.