How to Replace the Condenser Fan Motor on an Air Conditioner

The condenser unit of your air conditioner is where cold air is created. Air is sucked into the condenser, where refrigerant cools it. A fan motor blows the the hot air over the condenser, where it is captured and cooled. If the fan motor is not working, you may hear the motor working with no cool air coming out of the unit. Replacing the fan motor yourself will save you a lot of money.

Screwdriver
Penetrating oil
Non-contact voltmeter
Socket wrench
Vice
Chisel
Hammer
Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power to the condenser unit by unplugging it from its dedicated breaker or turning off the circuit breaker controlling the unit at the electrical main.
- 2
  Unscrew the cover from the condenser unit. Touch a pair of non-contact voltmeter probes to the wires connected to the motor to ensure the unit is turned off.
- 3
  Remove the six screws from the hub of the fan blade.
- 4
  Spray penetrating oil into the screw openings on the fan hub to loosen the hub.
- 5
  Pull straight out on the fan blade. If the blade is held in place, remove the bolts holding down the motor and disconnect the wires. Put the motor in vice grips with the fan facing toward the ground. Gently tap the back of the fan shaft to remove it from the motor. Do not hit the shaft so hard it bends; this will prevent the fan from being removed. Take the fan to an AC supplier for a replacement.
- 6
  Insert the new fan blade into the shaft hole with a wrench. Reassemble the unit.

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