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Heating & Air Conditioning

A/C Barely Blowing

10 years ago

My AC was making a strange sound for about 3 to 4 months intermittently (rubmling noise).
This week I smelled a strange burning odor like wires (maybe) - it was also intermittent.
This morning My AC was barely blowing and the thermostat indicated 77 and it was set to 72.
There's water outside the unit.
I live in a condo and the AC is a "package unit"
with two differnt makers for each half:
First Co. for the bottom of the unit AND
Nordyne for the top portion of the unit.

Does anyboy have any idea of what the issue is... I don't want to replace BUT I don't want to repair for a ridiculous amount either... only to have it break down again soon.

No coils are frozen - I've experienced that before and been able to correct it the problem myself.

FYI- the unit is just 5 yrs old.

Thanks in advance for your help! :o)

Comments (7)

mike_home
10 years ago
If you are hearing noises and smelling odors then I suspect the blower is having problems. Have you changed the filter on a regular basis? Can you check to see if there is any obstruction causing the blower to not operate correctly?

You may have to replace the blower motor. It should not have failed after 5 years. Check to see if you are covered by the manufacturer's parts warranty.
Trycar
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Mike,

THANKS SO MUCH for responding...

Yes I have been changing the filter on a regular basis.

The fan that I can see on the outside of the unit is spinning - no obstruction.

As I said no ice is on the coils.

What else can I check?

I really appreciate you responding and your help with this. :o)
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mike_home
10 years ago
You should be able to turn on the blower from the thermostat. Look for a switch that says "auto" and "on". Switch it to "on". The blower will run continuously without running the condenser.

Is the blower noisy? Is is pushing as much air as it normally does? If not then it is mostly likely the blower needs to be replaced.
Trycar
Original Author
10 years ago
Wellllll,
Here's what happened.....
Before I could do anything the AC guy showed up and jiggled a few things.
He did exactly what you suggested - he turned the thermostat on to fan and flipped the kill switch on and off.
The thing came on blowing full cool air!

I told him everthing that happened.. he stated that the motor may be going bad or either I just flipped to heat by accident which caused the burning wire smell.
I told him I didn't make that mistake and I think the life of the motor is not going to last for long.

He looked at the blower motor and said there was nothing he could visibly see as far as issues with it.
He suggested that I call him back when it actually doesn't come back on and then we can discuss the next step - but for now he wouldn't change or repair anything since it seemed to be working fine.

Here's my question.....since I know it doesn't have much life left... I eventually would like the motor replaced.

He quoted a price of $800 for a new motor installation
and $700 with a new-used motor.
His labor would be $200.

Where can I find the motor and necessary parts for myself at greater reduced cost than what he quoted me?
Or can I?

Any suggestions?

Thanks Again!
mike_home
10 years ago
There are Youtube videos demonstrating how to replace a blower motor. Watch them and see if you have the tools and skills to do the replacement. You should be able to find a replacement motor on line or at a local HVAC distributor.

If you have never done this then you may be better off having an HVAC contractor make the repair.
Trycar
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for all your help.

I have one more question... I was doing some research last night after I read your response.

Could the "capacitor" effect the motor??
Because what happens with my units is that the motor doesn't come on immediately... to begin emitting the cool air.

What happens is....
It makes this noise like it's TRYING to come on.... like a car with a low battery or a failing starter trying to start-up but doesn't do so on the first 2 or 3 turns of the key.
But on the 4th try it will start-up and begin emitting cool air.

That's a capacitor issue right?
I'm thinking the capacitor will also strain the blower motor in this way.
Am I half-way correct? :o)

Thanks
mike_home
10 years ago
The start capacitor may be causing the motor not to start up. You could try changing it first before spending the money on a new motor.

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