How to Troubleshoot Blower Motors
There are many appliances, from home furnaces to air conditioning units, which employ the use of blower motors, so an ability to troubleshoot these motors is useful. Although different appliances may employ slightly different blower motors, most share certain characteristics -- and whether it is a wiring problem, a fan issue or a faulty capacitor you can troubleshoot the problem with your blower motor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Turn off the power to your appliance by switching off the power at the circuit breaker and unplug the appliance. This ensures you can safely gain access to the problematic blower motor. Remove the panel which gives you access to the blower motor, as indicated by the appliance's user manual. You will need a screwdriver or wrench to remove the screws or bolts of the front panel.
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2
Visually inspect the wire connections coming to and from the blower motor. Any frayed wires or loose connections could explain any issues you are having with the unit. These wires may need to be replaced or, if they are loose, connected properly.
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3
Locate the blower fan wheel once you have gained access to the blower motor. Try to spin the fan wheel by hand. It should easily spin without you having to put too much pressure into it. If it is stiff, add a little lubricating oil. If it still will not move, your blower motor may need to be replaced by an expert.
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Examine the capacitor. This is a square box with two wires attached to it. If it is bulging or appears to have fluid leaking from it then you must have the capacitor replaced by an expert to get your blower motor working again.
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