Trashpicked Carrier Window Air Conditioner with a Problem

[compdude957]

Hey, i am wondering if this could possibly be the problem with the window a/c unit i found on the curb. The fan on mine will stop after about 20-25 min but then 5 seconds after it stops it starts back up and runs at the speed you set it at with no problem, but then another 5 seconds later it will stop again and the cycle repeats. Medium and low speeds i haven't seen it do it, only on high. Help would be appreciated, i want to try and fix it so i can keep it as a backup if my central ac dies.

[uxwbill]

@compdude957 More likely than not, your fan motor is cutting out because a thermal protector is opening up, resetting and then opening up again.

The motor could be bad, but I'd make sure it has had both bearings oiled, that it is clean and can turn freely before confirming that.

[compdude957]

@uxwbill Interesting, thing is i wouldn't think that it would have a thermal cut off for being so old. The unit i have is from 1974. I was thinking that it could even be the capacitor for the fan, but im not sure. I tried oiling it before but could not find any oil ports so i sprayed some lubricant where the shafts go into the motor. I will have to take a harder look at the motor this spring and try to oil it more. Thanks for the info!

[tlaroche38]

I cleaned my filter and mine stopped doing that!

[pcwalker]

That's great! You find old A/C units to fix, too. My friend and I found one in a creek bed and split it, put in a new fan for the evaporator and condenser, put in new refrigerant and it cranks out some cold air again. Later on, we got a programmable thermostat. It was a nice project. Our only problem was the water. We had to find a way to get the water out of the house.

[christianpasco]

thank you

[aranacmac]

you have a winding to winding short in the motor

[uxwbill]

It was a bad thermostat. It's long since fixed.

[Mooseguy15]

@uxwbill weird never heard of the fan shutting cause of the thermostat lol

[uxwbill]

@Mooseguy15 That's why it threw me for such a loop for so long.

[Mooseguy15]

@uxwbill yeah cause normally the fan is constantly on even when the thermostat shuts the compressor. but since everything is really connected to the capacitor maybe a bad thermostat coulda interfered lol

[kbhasikevin]

what happened to the covers?

[uxwbill]

What covers? If you're talking about the directable vent slats in the top, I never had them.

[Begbucks]

very likely due to ice buildup (I know you don't want any more coments but I had to post this up)

[uxwbill]

It never got far enough to freeze up.

[fanlimits]

whats the amp draw ? you have no business diagnosing hvac equipment Mr parts changer,try not posting questions in which the reply you wouldn't understand anyway

[uxwbill]

Heh. I wonder why you didn't care to stick around?

[meccaturbo]

oil the motor bearings.

[HDXFH]

could be a leaky run/start capacitor

[ccraig412]

Check the Capaciator. Someone said it was the thermostat. It just came to a screeching stop. So he bypassed the Thermostat and made it work.

[jomomma1995]

yeah ur motor is going out.That happens with fans to

[paulsrestoration]

What was the problem with your air conditioner???????? i have the exact same problem????

[gunforme]

I had the same problem with an air conditioner and it is definately the motor. The only other thing which would stop a motor would be ice and if that were the case you would know it.

[THEtechknight]

what was the actual problem? centrifugal switch?

[uxwbill]

bad thermostat

[local614bro]

the internal overloads are trippin, cut the coil out and haul to scrapyard., it might be a cap but i dont think it would ever start if it was

[jefferyb3042]

Did you get it fixed yet?

[dburrigh]

I'd be willing to bet that your A/C unit has a Permanent Split Capacitor motor in it, you may want to check that motor run cap out. Just to be sure, give the fan motor a shot of oil.

[gowhoastop]

possible the motor has overload protector on it. its over heating, causing the switch to open and only closing back when cooled down.

[thepaashaas]

i think the control electronics for the motor are fried, getting hot very fast. Bypass them

[uxwbill]

There is no electronic control of the motor. It's a simple switch. In any case, it is now fixed.

[paulsrestoration]

i have the exact same problem???? How did you fix it?

[legogamecreator]

OIL IT IF POSSIBLE

[uxwbill]

I did, but it wasn't dry bearings causing the problem.

[V8Jagnut]

it must be the run cap or that side of things

[V8Jagnut]

it must be the run cap or that side of the motor motor

[timmytimmy64]

BTW, Let me know if it works...

[timmytimmy64]

Take the motor out, Take it apart get some 150 grit sand paper and sand where the bearings are on the shaft REMEMBER sand in the direction the motor spins on the shaft... after that go with finer sand paper and then 000 steel wool, get it smooth... as for the bearings steel wool ONLY... oil'er up and its ready for the long haul. If the shaft is scared or glazed better change the motor. See'Ya later, Timm

[timmytimmy64]

Hello uxwbill,

The bearings are scored...

[jefferyb304]

my thought; check the starting capacitor

[yapbird]

you lost a feild in the motor due to dirt or bad brushes not contacting the comunicator

[V8Jagnut]

they are a brushless motor.

[smazz104]

if it runs and then stops its almost surely the heat build up on the bearings. try repacking them if there are any on the unit.

[Zwitchau]

I took apart a vacume motor It worked except you had to manually spin it to start it turning. I think the brushes in the motor were bad. not shure if thats your problem though...

[37474748]

the motor is bad i think...

[VICNASTY1989]

You either have dirt in the motor from pollen or etc., or the motor has gone bad. My Frigidaire sat outside for a long time in the elements and it had the same problem due to dirt in the motor.

[MOTERHEAD69]

theres a bad spot in the motor

[vwestlife]

You may be able to rebuild the motor with new brushes, rather than getting a whole new one. Also make sure it's properly oiled and free from gunk buildup inside.

[clubcar98]

This kinda thing happens with alot of my tablefans i would try cleaning it and oiling it too...

[mjmcomputers]

Could be bad motor but you might want to try replacing the start/run capacitor on the motor.

[blazerguy1492]

it sounds like the motor i had one do this one time and i just invested in a heat pump haha