probable inappropriate hvac advice reque
probably not the appropriate place to ask but here goes anyway- any hvac people tell me what their initial diagnosis would be – a gas bryant heater started just humming at the blower area instead of kicking on – 15 year old unit – is there a certain place to kick, hit or a normal part to replace- I feel humiliation on the way -let her rip!!
Replies
Hello maxp, I am not an HVAC person, but my furnace started the same thing about a month ago. It was a ten year old American Standard, the blower motor went out on it. Repair cost about $250
thanks for the reply- that was my guess but wanted some input before I looked into purchasing parts-
Humming and not starting means that power is going to a motor, but the motor isn't turning. First thing, turn off the power so that doesn't happen any more.
There are two possibilites: The motor may be shot, or something may be jammed and not letting it turn. If it's just stuck, and you let it sit there trying to start, that can burn out the motor, converting condition #2 to both conditions #1 and #2. So, first thing, turn off the power. It might save you some money.
Has this unit had its routine checkup, filter changes, and lubrication per the manufacturer's instructions?
-- J.S.
it probably has been a year since service - but it seems all service has been done at beginning of summer so i think all attention has probably been to a/c side- I did undo all power to unit and can turn the fan by hand - the wiring did feel warm to touch- oh by the way this unit is housed in a closet in a garage that has produced alot of fine saw dust lately - probably unrelated but you never know
Edited 11/18/2005 2:44 pm ET by maxp
oh by the way this unit is housed in a closet in a garage that has produced alot of fine saw dust lately - probably unrelated
Might be your cause, dust on the start switch promotes arcing which for those types switches* leads to no making contact. Try simply teking off the end bell and filing the start contacts, may just work then. First, you can try giving the motor a spin by hand, if it then starts, Id bet one of my cars that the switch was the problem.
*one of the reasons many woodworking saw motors use current relays vs centrifugal start switches.
thanks everyone for the input - i'm going to try to conquer it tomorrow will let you know when I destroy it and call a pro- please don't hesitate to add any other input.
I second the advice on replacing the Capacitor. Remove it from the unit and take to AC Shop or Motor service , they'll pull the MicroFared # & voltage off it. Good to do every 6-10 years or so anyway. Capacitor failure is pretty regular on units with a number of years down.
Otherwise, it could be the relay, as suggested. Remember to turn off the HVAC breakers, there's several of them - perhaps as many as three.
ok - an update, i removed the blower motor and it turns but not very easily and has a funny smell- it was full of dust and filthy- out of curiosity i went by a supply house and compared a new motor turns much easier - sidenote they had a motor that matched size, rpm,volt,amps etc but a different wiring harness- any more advice other than get a blanket and call a pro
low voltages transformer2+3=7
ok I started it so I will be man enough to tell you the rest..... LET THE LAUGHTER CONTINUE.. after convincing myself that the motor was fried, i ordered a new one with the correct (or same) wiring - unable to leave it at that - I get curious and clean up the "fried" one , lubricated and plugged back in - presto spun like my brain- Proud of myself I reassembled it all as i realized the fine working blower motor now will not shut off regardless of the thermostat setting... well of course i figure i need to buy a new thermostat-something must have happened to it. On the way home from that purchase my mind or lack there of thought about the situation and remembered one of your suggestions about three possible breakers... this led me to reset the breakers which didn't fix it (as all of you probably already knew) but it did lead me to an unknown reset on the furnace - again presto works like a champ.....so far-Anyway if any of you feel better about yourselves in comparision to me then today wasn't a complete waste after all---- 2+3=?
might be a bad capacitor or a loose wire on the cap itself