AC Front Condensor Fan keeps blowing suddenly

[Koizumi]

I’m confused. I added a 7.5a fuse to my ‘84 front condensor fan like a decade ago. It always ran fine. Today I noticed that after refilling my empty AC system, it wasn’t as cold as it usually is.

I noticed the front condensor fan not on, so I swapped the blown 7.5a fuse with a new one. That one blew too. And then another one blew.

Fuse #2 in panel is good, but the fan fuse keeps popping.

What would suddenly cause this? I have not tinkered at all with anything aside from lol unrelated changing brake pads a few weeks ago.

Any advice?

[r lane]

7.5 is a little light for a blower motor. I can look up some definitive info if you require it. I am guessing now, but the front condenser fan has a relay on the fuse panel I believe and not sure where its fuse is. May share a fuse with the evap fan. The evap fan has the relay in the smugglers box and definitely a fuse in the panel. The condenser fans are high fail item. If it is seized, or beginning to, it will blow a fuse. The 2 switches on the console get heated up as well. Bob

[pmax]

Sounds like the fan's on the way out. I would replace it or disconnect.

[Koizumi]

Would a 10a fuse be worth trying for the condenser fan?

I checked the smuggler's box evap relay. This relay is also fused (checked this fuse and it's good).

Is there a good way to assess the condenser fan's health?

On a sidenote, I dropped my iphone underneath the evaporator and I cannot get it out. I was using the iphone light to see the evap relay/fuse and it slipped from my hand. I can't get it out! Looks like I'll have to drain the AC, disconnect expansion valve, etc, etc. What a veritable pain in the ass!

[JRSIII]

Have you tried to get the phone through the duct under the passenger side floorboard? If it's under the evaporator housing it should be accessible from there.

[Koizumi]

It had to come out. After several hours with tacky putty, clamps, a boroscope, aluminum wire, pliers, air bladder, etc etc The phone got stuck underneath in never never land.

I’m changing the evap and blower to Griffith.

On another note, is there a good way to refurb the condensor fan? It’s obviously shorting the fuse instantly so I’m thinking rebuild.

[Koizumi]

Goodbye old evap!

[Big Dav]

Originally Posted by pmax

Sounds like the fan's on the way out. I would replace it or disconnect.

+1

Remember that these fan motors fail and cause melted wires and a fire risk when they do. My 87 had no fuse and the motor turned into a melted and seized mess when it failed. I have replaced it and installed an inline fuse so when it fails next time it will pop the fuse rather than melt itself to destruction.

By the sounds of it your fuse is doing what it's designed to do and protecting the rest of the electrical system from damage. I'd be installing a new motor if I were you.

[r lane]

Pull out the fan and physically examine it. You should be able to spin he impellor with your finger. Jumper it to a battery and watch its performance. If It struggles, jumpers start smoking, time for a new one.

[Koizumi]

Originally Posted by r lane

Pull out the fan and physically examine it. You should be able to spin he impellor with your finger. Jumper it to a battery and watch its performance. If It struggles, jumpers start smoking, time for a new one.

Thank you! I’ll crack it open and follow your advice.

[Koizumi]

Originally Posted by Big Dav

+1



Remember that these fan motors fail and cause melted wires and a fire risk when they do. My 87 had no fuse and the motor turned into a melted and seized mess when it failed. I have replaced it and installed an inline fuse so when it fails next time it will pop the fuse rather than melt itself to destruction.



By the sounds of it your fuse is doing what it's designed to do and protecting the rest of the electrical system from damage. I'd be installing a new motor if I were you.

Makes sense. I’m glad I added the fuse years ago. Prolly saved me from a literal meltdown.

I’m gonna test the fan but I just broke down and purchased a Griffith blower + fan. I suppose I can return it if my existing fan is serviceable... But something’s telling me that I might just end up installing the new unit ;-)

[kuehl]

The stock front condenser blower does not draw more than 5 amps. They put in a 7.5 amp fuse so you don't fry the rest of the circuit. Stick with 7.5 amps max.

[Koizumi]

Originally Posted by kuehl

The stock front condenser blower does not draw more than 5 amps. They put in a 7.5 amp fuse so you don't fry the rest of the circuit. Stick with 7.5 amps max.

Thanks. I’ll have to look at what amperage fuse I spliced in - it was years ago now and I can’t recall.