Blower needs help to start - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

rmklaw · 02-05-2006, 06:38 PM

In a York furnace, the blower would not start. When trying to start all I get is a strong humm (buzzing sound). Power between the High speed black lead and white neutral is 118v. I was able to get it going by spinning the blower by hand (spins freely), and it then it kept on going when I closed the cover switch.

Trying to figure out what helps the start --- motor or capacitor or else, so I can start troubleshooting. Could it be a bad capacitor or the motor? Thanks

locofoco · 02-05-2006, 09:45 PM

Sounds like the capacitor. Maybe dry or bad bearings. How old is the furnace.
Some of the older units you can oil.

Aceinstaller · 02-06-2006, 03:36 AM

If you don't want to have to worry about this again for a while, you will just replace the motor and the capacitor. It sounds like the blower is functioning, so if your on a limited budget, replacing the capacitor will solve the problem at hand. Oil if necessary, and be sure to inspect air filter. Also make sure that none of the return grills in the conditioned spce are blocked.

rmklaw · 02-06-2006, 12:32 PM

Thank you both for your response. I took the fan off the motor and I can get it to start without the fan (no load). Looks like it does not develop the power to start with the fan wheel installed (and it gets fairly hot).