Author Topic: Air Conditioner Repair Help! (Read 8909 times)

@Yehuda · « **on:** August 01, 2014, 08:44:33 AM »

Anyone know anything about fixing an AC?

Turned on my window unit for the first time this summer, and I have 2 issues:
It makes a noise like it's working, but no air blows out.
The noise cycles on and off as if it was on Energy Saver or auto mode for the fan, but it's set to regular mode.

Any ideas? Otherwise it's going to be a hot Fri night dinner with guests. :-(

aygart · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2014, 09:15:09 AM »

Check that the air filter is clean

@Yehuda · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2014, 09:22:30 AM »

Quote from: aygart on August 01, 2014, 09:15:09 AM

Check that the air filter is clean

Yep, it is. I recently cleaned it.

aygart · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2014, 09:38:12 AM »

I suggest checking it again and not relying on a recent cleaning. Also, sometimes the foil of the could gets bent and does not allow air through.
Another thing which may be is that what you are getting is not the fan but the compressor which would mean that the fan is not running at all

@Yehuda · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2014, 09:56:06 AM »

Quote from: aygart on August 01, 2014, 09:38:12 AM

I suggest checking it again and not relying on a recent cleaning. Also, sometimes the foil of the could gets bent and does not allow air through.
Another thing which may be is that what you are getting is not the fan but the compressor which would mean that the fan is not running at all

I just checked again today and it's still clean. I took out the filter and whatever I can see beyond it looks undamaged.
So, I have a feeling it's the fan... is that something I can check/fix or I need a repair man?

aygart · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2014, 10:28:06 AM »

Quote from: @Yehuda on August 01, 2014, 09:56:06 AM

I just checked again today and it's still clean. I took out the filter and whatever I can see beyond it looks undamaged.
So, I have a feeling it's the fan... is that something I can check/fix or I need a repair man?

there is usually some spot where you can see the fan once you take off the cover. See if it is going

moko · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:24:50 AM »

I had a similar issue. I took off the entire exterior casing only to discover that some kids had stuffed some paper balls into the unit and was blocking the fan from spinning.

ilherman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:29:38 AM »

Had the same exact issue and from one day to the other it started working.

Maybe try putting it on just on fan, not on cool and see what happens.

@Yehuda · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:52:44 AM »

Took off the cover, but you still can't see past the coils in the front.

Still not working the next day, but it's great that yours worked!

I tried all the different settings and no go :-(

ilherman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:54:11 AM »

Quote from: @Yehuda on August 01, 2014, 11:52:44 AM

Took off the cover, but you still can't see past the coils in the front.

Still not working the next day, but it's great that yours worked!

I tried all the different settings and no go :-(

Put it on fan mode and leave it like this for a few minutes. Thats how it started working by me.

@Yehuda · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:59:59 AM »

Quote from: ilherman on August 01, 2014, 11:54:11 AM

Put it on fan mode and leave it like this for a few minutes. Thats how it started working by me.

Thanks trying that now.
On fan mode, I hear a light buzzing. Almost as if it the fan is trying to go but something is blocking it. When I stick my head out the window, I can kinda see into the back of the machine, and I think I see the fan, but it doesn't look like any junk is hanging out back there.

aygart · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2014, 12:07:36 PM »

That is a different fan to cool the outside coils.

The fan will usually look like a cylinder with slits on the side not a regular fan like a clip on fan.

Unplug it. Stick your hand into where it blows out from and try to move the fan manually. It sounds to me like the fan is stuck.

@Yehuda · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2014, 12:16:44 PM »

Quote from: aygart on August 01, 2014, 12:07:36 PM

That is a different fan to cool the outside coils.

The fan will usually look like a cylinder with slits on the side not a regular fan like a clip on fan.

Unplug it. Stick your hand into where it blows out from and try to move the fan manually. It sounds to me like the fan is stuck.

Just tried that. It was maybe a bit bit tough to move it at first but then I had no problem spinning it. Turned it back on and still no go

smee123 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2014, 12:32:02 PM »

Your fan motor (which spins both the fan inside and outside fan) is broken.
Unless it is a very large expensive unit (and even then) it's not worth replacing.
One last thin is to try and look form the outside, maybe you can see something stuck in the fan blade, and that's why is't not turning.
The noise you're hearing is the motor trying to turn

@Yehuda · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2014, 12:36:47 PM »

Quote from: smee123 on August 01, 2014, 12:32:02 PM

Your fan motor (which spins both the fan inside and outside fan) is broken.
Unless it is a very large expensive unit (and even then) it's not worth replacing.
One last thin is to try and look form the outside, maybe you can see something stuck in the fan blade, and that's why is't not turning.
The noise you're hearing is the motor trying to turn

Nothing looks stuck in. It's really frustrating bc it came with my apt in January (I paid extra for the AC) and the guy said it worked before he sold it to me. For whatever reason we didn't try it till now, and it's not turning on.

Guess I'll have to buy a new one. Nothing lasts anymore these days, eh?

mercaz1 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2014, 12:41:18 PM »

sorry to hijack thread

my window unit looks like it is getting moldy where the air blows out
is it possible to clean it while still in the window
do I need to hire a guy
not handy at all

smee123 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2014, 01:30:28 PM »

Quote from: @Yehuda on August 01, 2014, 12:36:47 PM

Nothing looks stuck in. It's really frustrating bc it came with my apt in January (I paid extra for the AC) and the guy said it worked before he sold it to me. For whatever reason we didn't try it till now, and it's not turning on.

Guess I'll have to buy a new one. Nothing lasts anymore these days, eh?

Sorry, they are disposable like everything nowadays

smee123 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2014, 01:34:11 PM »

Quote from: mercaz1 on August 01, 2014, 12:41:18 PM

sorry to hijack thread

my window unit looks like it is getting moldy where the air blows out
is it possible to clean it while still in the window
do I need to hire a guy
not handy at all

Taking it out of the window wont really help access the inside part where the mold would be.
It would help if you want to hose it down...
Is the filter moldy?
Try spraying it with a mold removing spray, but realize it will fly into the room when you turn it on.
I would spray it with a mold remover and try to wipe up as much as possible and then let it dry out for a few days.
And then turn the fan on for a while with the windows open.

aygart · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2014, 02:19:51 PM »

Quote from: mercaz1 on August 01, 2014, 12:41:18 PM

sorry to hijack thread

my window unit looks like it is getting moldy where the air blows out
is it possible to clean it while still in the window
do I need to hire a guy
not handy at all

If it's only where it comes out them just wipe it down with a rag with bleach

@Yehuda · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2014, 10:30:33 PM »

It's working!!! (almost completely) b"h!

Turned it on after Shabbos and then fan was definitely on blowing cold air. Only issue is that it's really loud. Going to let it run for a while and see what happens.