A broken or malfunctioning fan is one of the most common problems that can happen to an air conditioner. You can hear the compressor working; you can feel cool air being produced inside the machine; and you can see all of the machine’s parts working together in harmony. The catch? The air conditioner fan is simply not working. With a problem like this, there’s just simply no way for any of the cool air inside to make its way to you.
In this article, we’ll show you a complete troubleshooting guide to help you in figuring out the main reason why your AC fan is not working or spinning.
10 Common Troubleshooting Tips for a Faulty Air Conditioner Fan
- Dual Shaft Fan Motor - Check the dual shaft fan motor or the circulation fan motor for any problems or defects. This part has two blades: one on each side of the motor. On one side, the fan blade works by drawing in outside air over the condensing coil. This process is done so the unit can successfully dissipate the heat. The other blade works by directing the air over the evaporator coil. The dual shaft or circulation fan motor has bearings that can loosen or even bind with constant use. To check if any of these bearings are defective, simply wiggle the motor shaft. If the motor shaft is loose or won’t turn at all, it’s time to replace it.
- Aircon Fan Motor - Check the fan motor for any defects by turning the blade by hand. If it does not turn freely, it means that the part’s motor bearings are worn out. If this is the case, it’s time to replace the part. If the blades are able to be turned, test it by checking the incoming power to the fan motor. If the power can find its way to the fan motor and the motor simply still won’t run, consider getting it replaced.
- Relay Board and Main Control Board - Both boards are responsible for providing power and voltage to different components of the air conditioner unit. One of these parts includes the fan motor. If these boards are having problems, the fan will simply not run. However, before you even consider replacing any of the boards, make sure you have fully scraped other possible problems — such as broken fan motor capacitors or the fan motor itself. If you find that these parts are not the problem, then you can proceed replacing the malfunctioning boards.
- Temperature Control Thermostat -The temperature control thermostat in an aircon unit is known to have different electrical contacts that can burn or fizzle out over time. If any of these contacts get burned out, then the thermostat will simply cease to function. The fan motor needs to be running all the time if the compressor is on. If the compressor is running but the fan motor isn’t, it means the capacitor of the fan motor may need some repairing. However, if both parts won’t run at all, you can use a multimeter to test the temperature control thermostat for continuity. If it doesn’t have continuity, replace it as well.
- Thermostat - The thermostat in the unit is responsible for monitoring the air temperature. When it rises above a set point, the thermostat does its job by turning on a switch that will in turn provide power to the fan and compressor. So in the case of a broken thermostat, the fan can be prevented from working well. To check if the thermostat is defective, simply set the AC to cooling mode and use a multimeter to test the part for continuity. If the thermostat doesn’t show any continuity during this mode, it means it’s time to replace it.
- Blower Motor - To check for a broken blower motor, look for any unusual activity within the fan blades. If they won’t spin freely, it means it’s time to replace the motor. It’s also important to check that the power is getting to the blower motor. If the motor is getting power but it’s still not enough to make it run, it means it’s time for a replacement. A broken or faulty blower motor is impossible to repair; it needs to be fully replaced with a new unit.
- Thermistor - The thermistor is a sensor that detects the temperature of the air in an aircon. It’s connected to the control board and is normally dependent on temperature. A broken or faulty thermistor will often result in a fan failing to run. To properly check if your thermistor needs replacing, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If it appears to not have any, it’s time to replace it.
- Capacitor - Check for a broken capacitor by using a multimeter test for continuity. If the part does not have any continuity, it means it’s time to replace it.
- Rotary Switch - The rotary switch is responsible for activating the fan motor. Over time, the electrical contacts inside it can become closely pitted and compressed. This can often result in failure to conduct electricity. Use a multimeter to test whether a rotary switch needs replacing; if you find that it doesn’t have any continuity, then you may proceed in replacing it.
- Selector Switch - A broken selector switch can be checked by making selections on the air conditioner’s control board. If the fan starts working intermittently after pressing a button, then it’s time to replace the switch. But if there is any smoke coming outside the switch, it’s a clear indication that a replacement should be done right away.
Keep Your Aircon Fan in Perfect Condition
If your aircon fan suddenly stops working, try to perform any of these troubleshooting tips before deciding your next step. Doing this can help you save money by preventing any unnecessary purchase of a replacement part that your unit doesn’t even need. However, if you need an expert to assess what’s wrong with your air conditioning unit, you can place a call or drop us a message here at Oasis Aircon.
