Reason for Aircon fan motor malfunction. How to prevent and cost to fix?
Content Outline:
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- What is an Aircon fan motor?
- How to know if your Aircon fan motor has malfunctioned?
- Types of noises your aircon fan motor makes and what they mean
- How to prevent an Aircon fan motor from malfunctioning?
- How to repair an Aircon fan motor?
- Estimated cost of Aircon fan motor
- Aircon fan motor spare parts
- List of Aircon fan motor in stock
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What is an Aircon Fan motor?
There is actually an Aircon fan motor in both the indoor and outdoor units. For simplicity of this article, we are only talking about split unit Aircon. Split unit Aircon refers to an Aircon unit that is connected by external copper pipe. There is an indoor blower unit and an outdoor compressor unit. Both of the units contain a fan motor. The fan motor in the indoor unit blows cold Air into your room. Whereas the outdoor fan motor blows warm cools down the condenser. So you can enjoy the cold Air in your room. However, from time to time, your Aircon technician may inform you that your fan motor has malfunctioned. How did they come to that conclusion? And how much does it cost on average? Let’s find out in the article here.
Aircon Fan Motor Spare Parts
Types of Noises Your Aircon Fan Motor Makes and What They Mean
1. Clanking noise
Clanking probably meant that there is a loose part that is in need of replacement. This sound can also mean that the indoor blower or outdoor fan and its blades are out of place and hitting other parts. These types of issues should not be ignored as it will only get worse and create bigger problems.
2. Buzzing noise
A buzzing noise from your outside unit could mean several things:
- Loose parts that are hitting other parts
- Debris in either the indoor or outdoor unit that is being blown around
- Outdoor fan motor is loose or about to fail
- Fan blades are out of place
- The copper lines from outside to inside are rubbed against other parts
- The condenser coil has to be maintained
- The air filter needs to be changed because of the built up in debris, particles and dirt
- The blower is failing or getting out of place
- Refrigerant leaks, resulting in your air conditioning freezing up
3. Banging noise
The banging noise is likely due to any loose parts that are hitting the other parts of the unit such as a connecting rod. It could also be due to an unbalanced indoor blower. A banging noise may also indicate that your system needs to replace compressor unit.
4. Clicking noise
A constant clicking noise even when the aircon is running could be due to a defective control of a failing thermostat. It is also important for you to pay attention to any electrical hazards in the unit before bigger problems arise.
5. Humming noise
A humming sound is not that much of a problem but it could mean that loose parts and refrigerant piping are causing a vibration. If it is left unchecked, can lead to a more serious maintenance issue. It is also important to pay attention to any electrical hazards in the unit. If the compressor hums and refuses to start, there may be an issue with the motor, though loose aircon wiring could trigger this noise, too.
6. Squealing noise
Blower and fan noises such as squeaks, squeals and rattles may be transmitted through the duct system. Outdoor fan motors and indoor blower motors squeal loudly when they’re failing. The blower wheel and housing will also squeal when they malfunction. It is normal if you hear this when you just started running the aircon, but if it happens during the running of the aircon, then something is wrong and should be fixed before bigger problems arise.
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Aircon Error Code Problem?
How to Troubleshoot Aircon Fan Motor Error?
Is your Aircon light blinking? If your Aircon light is blinking, chances are you have an Aircon error code in your system. Other than ac light blinking, some Aircon brands may display an Aircon error code instead. Below are several ways to do Ac fan motor troubleshooting:
By Aircon Blinking Light
By Aircon Blinking Light
For Fujitsu, Mitsubishi heavy industries and certain LG models. The number of times the Aircon light is blinking will mean that there is a certain error in the system. For example, Mitsubishi 7 times light blinking would mean that there is an issue with the outdoor PCB. However, sometimes the issue may be due to the fan motor causing the PCB to malfunction. In other times, the error code may point directly to indicate it’s the fan motor issue.
By Aircon Error Code
By Aircon Error Code
Other models such as York, Midea and certain LG models may show the error code directly on the fan coil unit. The error code itself will mean that the fan motor has malfunctioned and needs to be replaced. Sometimes there are other parts that require replacement as well, such as the PCB board. But the unit itself may only be able to display one error code.
By Noisy Fan Motor
By Noisy Fan Motor
Sometimes, the noisy sound made by the Aircon fan motor is very obvious for Aircon technicians. Especially if it’s a squealing sound. It can be very obvious to know that the fan motor is rusty and requires replacement. However, it is not so easy to tell from afar for an outdoor Aircon unit. Because the sound made by the Aircon compressor is rather loud. Hence sometimes it is hard to tell if it is the Aircon compressor or the Aircon fan motor that is making noise.
How to prevent an Aircon fan motor from malfunctioning?
There may be a few ways to reduce the chance in which the Aircon fan motor from malfunctioning. However, like all electrical appliances. There comes a time when the part malfunctions. Do note that the method listed below can only slow down the rate of the parts deteriorating. But it cannot fully prevent
Apply lubricant at the fan motor unit
If you apply lubricant at the fan motor. You may actually lengthen the lifespan of the fan motor as it causes less friction in the bearing of the motor. However, the Aircon technician needs to be careful as excessive oil will cause stains in your bedroom. Furthermore it may take a while for the stain to drip to your floor. Hence, not many technicians prefer to do that.
DO NOT do Aircon servicing using water
This is one thing we always warn our customers about. Unless necessary, please do not do normal servicing using water. Normal servicing should be done with vacuum and it is usually dry. Using jet spray for normal servicing may stand a chance in causing rust in the indoor unit.
What about Aircon chemical wash then? Yes, if you wash your fan coil unit with chemicals without dismantling, it may cause rust in the AC fan motor as well. However, chances are you will not do this with as high a frequency as compared to washing your fan coil with water.
Do note that, some Aircon technicians may pour water into the fan coil unit to test if the drainage pipe is blocked. This is ok, as the pressure of the water into the fan coil is not high. It will likely not cause the fan motor to be rusty.
DO NOT take out your blower wheel often
We always try to tell our technicians to service the customer’s blower by brushing instead. Firstly it is less costly for customers. Secondly, frequently taking out the Aircon blower wheel will cause the bearing to be loose. Furthermore, there is a higher chance of oxidation occurring at the Aircon fan motor. Unless you are using Midea, all easy series.
For Midea all easy series it is extremely easy to take out the fan motor. It will not cause damage to the fan motor bearing easily as well.
How to Repair Aircon Fan Motor?
Bearing Issues
If the bearing inside an Aircon fan motor is loose, you can actually replace the bearing inside the fan motor. This is assuming the fan motor can be opened up. However, for most Aircon brands, the fan motor cannot be opened up. It has to be crack open. And after you crack open the fan motor, you will not have the tools to seal it back. Only a factory can do that.
Replacement
Hence the only method to repair the Aircon fan motor is to replace it instead. Depending on the brand. The price of the fan motor may be expensive. Hence we always give customers a quote using refurbished Aircon spare parts first. As the price may be 2 times cheaper than a brand new part.
Estimated Cost of Aircon Fan Motor Replacement
| Types of Fan Motor | Estimated Price |
| Indoor Fan Motor 12000 BTU and below | Below $190 |
| Indoor Fan Motor 18000 BTU and above | Above $210 |
| Outdoor Fan Motor System 1 | Below $190 |
| Outdoor Fan Motor System 2 and above | Above $270 |
