Consider your air conditioner as your summer sidekick. It doesn't wear a cape or boast superpowers, but on sizzling summer days, it swoops in to save the day, bringing a cool breeze that chills your home and soothes your soul. But what happens when your trusted ally starts acting up?

When the AC fan decides to take an unexpected vacation amid a heatwave, it's more than a mere inconvenience — it disrupts your comfort and tranquility. If you want to revitalize your cool companion, here are some tips to transform a sweltering nightmare back into a serene summer daydream.

Fan Won't Start

One common reason why the AC fan might not start is due to a malfunctioning capacitor. Capacitors store energy and provide it to the fan motor to start and run efficiently. Over time, the capacitor may wear out and become unable to hold a charge, resulting in the fan not starting.

To repair this, ensure the power to the AC is turned off, then use a multimeter to check if the capacitor is holding the correct charge. If it's not, you can first try to reset the capacitor — press it firmly for a few seconds and see if the fan starts running. If that doesn't work, you may need to replace the capacitor entirely.

Another potential problem might be a faulty motor. Over time, the fan's motor can wear out or become damaged, preventing the fan from starting.

In this case, you should try manually starting the fan by pushing it with a stick (never use your hands for safety reasons). If the fan starts, this could indicate a faulty motor. To fix this, lubricate any moving parts with oil to ensure they run smoothly.

Fan Won't Stop

If the AC fan just won't quit, this could point to several issues. The most likely culprit is a faulty thermostat sensor — when the room temperature becomes too warm, the thermostat sends an electrical signal that tells the fan to turn off, but the fan keeps running unabated due to a malfunctioning sensor.

Try resetting the thermostat by pressing and holding down the reset button for a few seconds, then releasing it. If that doesn't work, open the thermostat and check for disconnections or short circuits. Cleaning the contact points may help, but if it doesn't, replacing the thermostat is your best bet for getting things back to normal.

Alternatively, if the fan runs too long even when the room is cool enough, it could be due to an issue with the fan speed switch — this part regulates the speed of your fan depending on the temperature in the room. You can check if the switch is functioning properly by removing it and connecting it to a test device that measures its current flow.

For more information on air conditioning repair, contact a professional near you.

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