A new Goodman system in Pacific Palisades lost its condenser fan motor about a month in
The motor was covered by the manufacturer's parts warranty. The customers were suffering in the heat, so we found one in stock across town.
In this guide
A new system, a failed fan motor
In Pacific Palisades, a new Goodman system was about a month past installation when its condenser fan motor failed, and the customers were suffering in the heat. The part was covered by the manufacturer’s parts warranty, and we replaced the motor under that warranty.
What the photo shows
The photo is from the roof. With the fan guard lifted off the top of the Goodman condenser, two fan motors that look nearly identical are sitting on the cabinet: the one that failed and its replacement. The service panel on the side is off as well.
On a condenser like this one, the fan blows up and out through the top, and the motor hangs from the fan guard with the blade on its shaft. That’s why the guard comes off for a motor swap.
What a stopped condenser fan looks like
From outside, a failed condenser fan is easy to miss. The outdoor unit can still make plenty of noise, because the compressor may keep running, while the fan on top stands still or hums without turning. Inside, the air from the vents goes from cool to warm.
Some units shut themselves off on a safety switch and try again later. That can look like an AC that works on and off, when in fact it’s protecting itself.
Can a brand-new part fail?
Yes. New equipment isn’t immune to a bad part, and once in a while a motor fails early in its life. That’s exactly the failure a manufacturer’s parts warranty is written for.
One motor that quits in the first month tells you about that motor. It isn’t a verdict on the whole system.
Covered by the manufacturer’s parts warranty
A manufacturer’s parts warranty comes with the equipment and covers its parts on the maker’s terms. On this job, it covered the failed motor.
If something fails on your own new system, don’t assume either way about coverage. What a warranty covers is set by its own terms, so read yours, and keep the paperwork where you can find it.
A rush in the heat
The heat made this one urgent, so we had to hurry. A condenser fan motor has to match the unit it goes into: its voltage, horsepower and speed, the direction it turns, the shaft and the mounting. The right one may not be sitting on the nearest supplier’s shelf. We found this motor in stock at a supplier in another part of town and brought it up to the roof.
Why a stopped condenser fan can’t wait
The condenser fan pulls outdoor air through the condenser coil, and that air carries off the heat the system took out of the house. With the fan stopped, that heat stays in the refrigerant. Pressure and temperature on the hot side climb while the compressor keeps pumping, and the house doesn’t cool. On a hot day it all builds faster, because the outdoor air is already warm and the condenser has less room to work with even when its fan is running.
Running a system that way puts the compressor under stress, and the compressor is the most expensive part of the outdoor unit. When the outdoor fan isn’t turning, switch the system off at the thermostat and call rather than letting it run.
A condenser fan motor can also burn out for a reason outside the motor. On a job in the Hollywood Hills, the capacitor failed first and the fan motor burned out because it couldn’t start.
What to do if your new system stops cooling
Check the simple things first. The thermostat should be set to cool, and the AC breaker shouldn’t be tripped. Then look at the outdoor unit while the system is calling for cooling. If the fan on top isn’t spinning, or the unit hums while the fan stays still, switch the system off at the thermostat.
Don’t open the unit, and don’t try to spin the fan by hand. There’s line voltage inside, and a stalled motor can start up without warning.
While you wait, find the system’s paperwork. The model and serial numbers from the outdoor unit’s nameplate and the date the system went in will help with a warranty claim. Then call.
If the house is getting very hot, look after people and pets first. Move to the coolest room, or somewhere cooler, until the system is running again.
Looking after a new system
New equipment still needs the basics. Check the air filter regularly and change it on schedule, and keep plants and stored things away from the outdoor unit so it can breathe.
Get to know how the system sounds when it’s healthy, too. Then a new noise stands out, and so does a fan on top of the outdoor unit that isn’t turning. Problems like that are worth a call right away, before a small fault has the chance to stress anything else in a system that’s barely broken in.
AC repair in Pacific Palisades
We repair central AC systems in Pacific Palisades and across the Westside, Goodman included. The $85 service call is credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and repairs carry a 30-day labor and 90-day parts warranty. CA BEAR registered (#A 50636), EPA Section 608 Universal certified, $1M insured. See our HVAC services or call (213) 205-2055.
FAQ
Can a condenser fan motor fail on a brand-new AC?
Yes. Once in a while a part fails early in its life. On this Goodman system in Pacific Palisades, the condenser fan motor failed about a month after the system was installed, and the manufacturer's parts warranty covered the part.
Is a failed fan motor on a new AC covered by warranty?
On this job it was: the motor was covered by the manufacturer's parts warranty, and we replaced it under that warranty. What a warranty covers is set by its own terms, so check yours, and keep the model and serial numbers and the installation date handy.
What happens if the condenser fan stops while the AC runs?
The outdoor unit can't get rid of its heat. Pressure and temperature on the hot side climb while the compressor keeps pumping, the house stops cooling, and the compressor is under stress. Switch the system off at the thermostat and call.
What should I check if my new AC stops cooling?
Make sure the thermostat is set to cool and the AC breaker hasn't tripped, then look at the outdoor unit while it's calling for cooling. If the fan on top isn't spinning, turn the system off at the thermostat. Don't open the unit, and call.
Do you repair Goodman air conditioners in Pacific Palisades?
Yes. We repair Goodman and other central AC systems in Pacific Palisades and across the Westside. The $85 service call is credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and repairs carry a 30-day labor and 90-day parts warranty. Call (213) 205-2055.
AC, heater or mini-split acting up? We cover LA and the Valley.
Call (213) 205-2055 or text a photo of the unit and its model sticker.