In your case, you shouldn't have to worry about the compressor being harmed by the condenser fan not running. The compressor has a thermal overload (built into the motor winding) that would keep it from overheating. The winter cold has most likely prevented it from overheating. Many of the newer units delay the fan operation. If it were summer time, maybe over time it could be an issue. If the overload trips too many times, it can eventually fail. Since that particular overload is built into the compressor motor, it cannot be replaced and thus the compressor would have to be replaced. But in your case, you shouldn't worry about the fan motor causing compressor failure.

You should be able to get that motor for about 125 dollars, retail and if you are the slightest bit handy, should have no problem replacing the old one yourself. Make sure if you get a universal replacement, that you get one with the correct rotation ans fan speed (RPM). Also make note of the direction the fan blade slides onto the the motor shaft. It does make a difference. If the existing fan blade set screw uses a hex wrench, you may have some trouble getting it loose. If you try getting it loose and it seems like it won't budge, hit it with some penetrating oil. Then give it a couple of taps with a hammer, give it some torque into the "tighten" direction, you should feel it give a bit. Then go ahead and loosen the set screw.

P.S. If the supplier gives you a double shaft motor, make sure you cut off the right shaft, in accordance with the proper rotation!!!

Thanks very much. That is a load off the ole mind. :)

Excellent advice,
I am a repairman in Minneapolis with a masters certification in HVAC.
Irisman maryland has the right answer, even down to the removal of the set screw, GOOD JOB!
MrBill

i would check the start capacitor first. most likely problem.

Thanks for all the replies.

I got the motor and fan off. A couple of questions.
1) The start capacitor did occur to me. Is there an easy way to check that?
2) I made a dumb mistake. When I pulled the yellow and brown wire off the capacitor, I did not make a note of placement.
After the motor pull, there are three connectors on top of the cap - one with nothing connected; then clockwise a yellow wire connected; then a light blue wire connected. The brown and yellow wire that came from the fan motor - as I said - I was dumb/not awake. Where do they go back to?

Note. Even with a bad cap, the motor surely is bad - with all the noise it made when I did get it to go.

Thanks guys ..

Thanks MrBill!!!

Bama...there is a way to check the capacitor if you have some basic test equipment. If you have at least a cheapie analog Volt, Ohm meter you can do a seat of the pants test. Put the meter into the ohms funtion, connect it to the capacitor, the needle should fly to one side of the scale and then slowly return to the left. Although this won't give you the exact capacitance of the capacitor, it does indicate the capacitor is functioning as a capacitor. It's possible that it is not at full capacitance but I think in this case, you're ok.

Your motor should have a label on it or, you should have some paperwork that shows which wire is common and gets connected to one of the terminals that has the power coming to it. The other wire would go on the other terminal of the capacitor, by itself. There is no general color code to follow so you'll need to follow the schematic with the motor.

Thanks again all.

Well I ended up getting a new fan blade & motor + the capacitor - all about 115.00 - not bad.

One more question for one who knows, and please don't chastise me for not paying attention very well. In the midst of this day I had to deal with an irate daughter needing a car ...and I am still reeling. Other pressing things added to the anxiety mix.

At any rate ...there are three wires coming from the new fan ..yellow; brown; black. The black ..I know where it goes. The yellow and brown go to the new capacitor - one to common, and the other to fan - I just do not recall which.

Two other wires are already attached correctly to the cap from the wiring loom - a blue to 'herm' and a yellow to 'C' (common).

Is this enough to get me an answer? Thanks again.

Without seeing the schematic that came with the fan, I would suspect the yellow wire goes to the fan side and the brown to the common. If this isn't right, the fan won't run or, will rotate in the wrong direction, kill power, discharge the capacitor and reverse the wires.

Been doing a bit of searching on the web, and it looks as if the brown wire is always attached to the fan terminal on the capacitor.

That leaves the yellow wire to go to common, cause I am about 99% sure that wire does not go to 'herm'.

I think I have it and will try it in the AM. IF I am off base, please someone give me a shout back.

Got the message ..Irisman.

From what you say ...even if I get it backwards ...it will not destroy anything.

I do hope I get it right the first time, as discharging a capacitor may not be too much fun, from what I read.

Thanks for the heads up.

you have a combo cap with a common hot term....the herm refers to the hermetic compressor, it is the cap for the windings of the compressor. the other is the ofm (outdoor fan motor) terminal.... Hope that helps.

Some capacitors have a bleed resistor and will discharge the capacitor itself. The motor winding itself will also do it. I would do it anyhow only because those damn things hurt when they get ya. If you have to manually do it, no big deal. Make sure the power is off, take a screw driver (with plastic or wooden handle)and touch it across the 2 terminals on the capacitor. When you hear it arc, it's discharged. I usually do it twice, just to make sure. Actually, if you use a regular sized screwdriver, it is unlikely any current will ride up the screw driver to your hand since the electrons will take the path of least resistance but, hold the handle anyhow. But if you researched the motor and determined the brown goes to the fan side, I doubt you'll have a problem.

Good as new. Brown wire was to fan.

Thanks for the help and encouragement.