[jonhaddigan]

Need help with a new problem

Unit has been running louder the past week or so but cooling fine. Today it is not running at all. compressor kicks on but fan is not running. I have a blinking green light on the pc board but don't know if that indicates anything or not.

Thank you

 

[yuri]

If the outdoor fan is not running and was getting noisy it could be it is worn out or seizing up. Try spin the blade with the power off. May need to use a pencil to get at it. If it is stiff then it may be seizing. Otherwise you need to open the unit and see if the motor has a capacitor. Some use one capacitor for both the compressor and fan motor and others use seperate ones. If seperate it may be faulty. If it has a big bulge then most of the time it is shot. Need a elec meter that can check capacitance to know if it is weak.

Blinking light may mean it has normal power to it/heartbeat.

 

[jonhaddigan]

Spins freely and no visible signs of the capacitor failure. Any way to check capacitor with a multimeter?

 

[yuri]

If you discharge it carefully and then use a ohmeter across the 2 terminals it will show OL open line if it is shorted open/burnt out. If it is healthy then the ohmeter will start at zero and climb up. The battery in your meter will actually charge the capacitor. It won't tell you if it is weak but it will tell you if you have a circuit.

Home Depot has a reasonable priced Klein multi-tester or used to which is under $50-75 and can check capacitance. Always handy to have for future use. Capacitance is measured in mfd/microfarads which looks like a uF with a tail on the left.

You are supposed to use a resistor to discharge capacitors but most techs use a pair of insulated pliers and wear safety glasses and look the other way. 1 in a thousand or less chance it could explode.

 

[jonhaddigan]

When powered on I can't budge the fan at all. Does this indicate anything?

 

[yuri]

I don't know. There are no Trane heatpumps where I am as it is too cold. Sounds a bit suspicous like there is a backfeed or elec problem. You may want to call a Pro. If there is a short in the windings or the compressor is shorting to ground that can be very dangerous.

Come back later today as there are some techs here who work on heatpumps and may know.

 

[jonhaddigan]

Thank you very much for your help

 

[yuri]

Yur Welcome:smile:

 

[beenthere]

When powered on I can't budge the fan at all. Does this indicate anything?

Fan motor needs replaced.

 

[jonhaddigan]

Thanks... Ordered a new motor.