What would cause central AC cooling fan to stop?

Question

Asked similiar question several weeks ago, but didn't get a definitive answer. Our A/C is an older model Carrier. It turns on, blows cold air, and cools house nicely. The problem is that after 5-10 minutes, sometimes shorter, the cooling fan on the unit outside stops working, and then we shut the whole thing off, because we don't want it to do damage by overheating.

We were told to try replacing the motor, being that there might not be enough power to keep the fan running. We took it out, and it indeed did look old and worn, so we replaced it. It's back in, but doing the exact same thing.

I googled and someone suggested a relay. How would I check this?

Answer 1

The capacitor is the problem if it wasn't changed.They get weak and will cause that exact problem.

Answer 2

Your problem could be something as simple as a partial short in the wiring to the fan.  If you have a multimeter laying around you should probably check that out.

Answer 3

If the 220 supply line to the condensor unit is solid and not throwing the breaker and if the condensor unit is shutting down completely-(fan and compressor at the same time); I'd begin to suspect the low voltage relay trigger circuits. On rare occasion the condensor relay may allow one or the other to opperate. Fact is that unless you are familiar with how to troubleshoot 'hot circuits' you should not try this yourself. Check with your local BBB for a good reference on one who can. Low freon can do this too.

Answer 4

It is probably the fan relay. Its about to go out. If you have a volt meter you can check to see if it is good or not.

Answer 5

Have you tried vacuuming the coils and checking for debree

Answer 6

its broke

Answer 7

unless its a heatpump, you will not have a relay for your condensor fan.all your wires that come from your fan, either goes to the capacitor or the contactor.

you need someone in there that knows how to read an ampmeter,voltmeter and even an ohmmeter. it gets expensive just changing different componenets til it works.

with everything you changed already, there s not much left but checking the power supply. if you re not getting full power from both sides of your contactor, it will cause problems.