5 Signs That Indicate Your AC Fan Motor Is Bad

If you're mechanically inclined and interested in learning some basics about communication capabilities, read on! We will discuss an important part of the AC unit, the fan motor.

Your air conditioner is useless without a functioning fan or furnace blower motor. It could also mean you need to service your furnace, or should start thinking about the cost of replacing the blower motor. Also, you may have no air or weak airflow due to fan issues.

Here's what you need to know about AC fan motors:

 What are the signs of motor failure

 How to avoid it going bad faster than it should

What is an AC Fan Motor?

The fan motor is a fairly simple but vital part of an air conditioner. It is part of the equipment that pumps air through the system. Without this air circulation, your air conditioner won't be able to cool your home.

Since the fan motor is one of the hardest parts to work on in an air conditioner, it suffers a lot of wear and tear, leading to frequent repairs or replacements. Costs can add up when you start thinking about replacement and labor. Once the fan motor fails, the air conditioner will stop blowing cold air, which you don't want on a hot summer day.

Five Signs of a Failing AC Fan Motor

When your air conditioner suddenly fails, it can be difficult to know where to start identifying the problem.

1. Turn on the air conditioner and the fan does not start

If the fan doesn't start even when the AC power is turned on, this could be a telltale sign of a faulty motor. When an air conditioner runs without a fan circulating the air, it eventually causes the evaporator coil to freeze. Once this happens, your air conditioning unit is at greater risk of damage. Turn off AC power and call an HVAC technician.

2. The fan will continue to run even when the AC power is turned off

Also frustrating is that the fan works fine but the blades spin very slowly. A slow-turning fan produces a weak airflow. If your air conditioner offers a different fan setting, check that it is set to low speed. If this is not the case, it may mean that the motor bearings must be oiled, or the capacitors are faulty.

3. The fan is on but running slowly

It's frustrating that the fan doesn't work even though the blades are spinning very slowly. A slow-turning fan produces a weak airflow. If your air conditioner offers a different fan setting, check that it is set to low speed. If this is not the case, it may mean that the motor bearings must be oiled, or the capacitors are faulty.

4.The Fan Runs Intermittent

When the fan runs intermittently, it can be one of two problems. First, the motor can overheat, causing it to lose power. Alternatively, loose, connected, or shorted wires in the motor windings could be the culprit.

Any electrical related issues should only be resolved by professionals. For example, never try a fan motor when you suspect an electrical problem. This can be dangerous and is best left to a trained HVAC technician or electrician.

5. Condenser unit rattles or hums when fan is on

There is more than one reason for the noise of the air conditioner.

 If you hear loud rattling noises, this may be a small problem, such as loose rocks or debris in the condensation unit.

 Loose or unbalanced fan blades hitting the sides of the fan housing unit may also rattle.

 If you don't see anything stuck in the condensing unit and the fan blades are turning freely and smoothly, the fan motor may be causing it.

 If you hear a humming noise, this is another sign that the motor has reached the end of its life.