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What is the reason for a slow or stopped central air conditioning outside cooling fan with a loss of cold air?

The recent problem seems to be related to the outdoor cooling fan. The air conditioning system seems to be working properly, but there is a loss of cooling of the air coming from the indoor air conditioning vents. I inspected the outside unit, and yesterday the cooling fan was stopped with a humming/grinding sound. The capacitor looked good (no bulging), but I'm not an electrician and I have no way (or the knowledge) to test voltages and amperages and such. Anyway, I blew on some dust/dirt/cobwebs around some of the wires, and started the system back on and the fan moved at normal speed and the system worked and cooler air came out. However, today, the indoor temperature wasn't maintained and I went outside and the cooling fan was running much slower (but it was running). After I turned off the system, I felt the metal cover of the outside unit, and it was very hot, and it seemed that the source of the heat came from directly above the cooling fan motor. Please contact me!

Public Comments

1. tends to be a voltage drop to the motor..most times its the motor about to go.....you should have the system checked right away.......sounds like ur going to need a new compressor.... lic. gen contractor
2. Your outside fan needs replaced !! Turn off your a/c until you get it replaced or you will ruin your a/c unit. Without enough air flow your a/c unit can't exchange any heat. The compressor will just get hotter and hotter.
3. replace your outdoor fan and while your at it replace the capacitor and everything will be fine. But turn your unit off untill you get it fixed or you'll be changing a compressor or buying a new unit.
4. Just replace the capacitor. They are cheap. If that doesn't work and you are sure that the proper voltage is available, replace the entire motor.
5. If the outside fan turns slowly, then a capacitor may do the tick. Otherwise, change the fan motor. Without the condensor fan motor, you compressor will overheat and probably trip the high pressure switch if it has one. If it does not, then you may wind up with and acidic condition in your system.
6. If this problem has been occurring long enough the fan motor probably has toasted windings and is close to burn out from either water getting into the motor or a bad capacitor. Always replace the capacitor whenever you replace the fan motor. They are cheap and not the worth the cost of burning up the new motor. Besides, a new motor will likely have a different (MicroFarad) MFD rating on it. It is also possible this problem could lead to problems with the compressor. When the motor fails to run the head pressures in the unit go way up which can cause issues with the compressor. Shut the system off and call a tech is the best advice.