Central A/C Fan Motor Troubles

[clattin]

I moved into a new home (to me, not new construction) in late May and finally had to use the A/C this weekend.  The blower on the furnace was coming on but not the fan on the compressor unit outside.  I got it to start with a gentle "nudge" but even though it ran all night it didn't blow very cold air.

 

Am I looking at 2 different problems here?  It would appear that the fan motor is starting to go.  I could hear a "hum" before I gave it the nudge to start it going.  It looks like if I replace the motor I should replace the capacitor too.

 

Could that also be the cause of the "warm" air coming out?  Its not really warm, but isn't as cool as it should be.

 

thanks!

Chris

 

[weswayne]

sounds like capacitor is the issue.

 

if the condenser fan is not running then it wont draw off the heat from the coils

Edited July 27, 2015 by weswayne

[clattin]

So it might be wise to just start with a new capacitor and see if that fixes the issue?

 

Thanks!

Chris

[BryanS]

Typically, the capacitors are dual capacitors. Both the compressor and outside fan can be affected. Is the compressor even running? It definitely sounds like a capacitor if the started spinning by hand, but it may not be getting up to speed all the way. You really need a capacitor tester to be 100% unless the capacitor has obvious bulges in it. I wouldn't assume you need a motor just yet without checking the capacitor over.