How do I reverse the direction of the condenser fan motor?

For the Emerson Rescue EchoTech Motor (M055PWCRY), sometimes the handy reversing method (simply flipping the connector around) fails to work right and the motor keeps going the wrong way. Attached are photos showing how to open up the motor and then there are 2 steps to try. If step 1 fails to get the motor going the right way, move on to step 2. After performing step 2, simply removing the jumper will change the motor direction. The reversing plug-in connector will no longer have any effect after following the instructions in the photos.

THE MOTOR IS A 3 PHASE MOTOR JUST SWITCH ANY TWO WIRES TO THE MOTOR AND THE MOTOR WILL RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION. BE SURE TO DISCONECT THE POWER TO THE UNIT BEFORE DOING THIS.

Well, the answer is yes. I have seen a bad capacitor cause a fan motor to run backwards. BUT..... After replacing the capacitor and WIRING it up the right way, everything should be fine. A lot of aftermarket condenser fan motors are reversible, so it can run counter-clockwise (CCW) or clock-wise (CW). However, most factory fan motors come one directional and on your specific unit, the air should always push out of the top. Running the unit with the fan going backwards will actually some-what do it's job, but damage other components like the compressor because it runs at higher operating pressures than what it is designed for.

Have someone else look at it! That's going to be the best advice I can give you. If they can prove that a capacitor caused the motor to permanently run backwards..... I want to know! Hope this helps and good luck with your unit.

An abrupt cycle of power can cause a motor to run backwards. If you turn the power off again and wait 10 seconds or so (enough for blade to stop spinning) it should run the right way. Put the capacitor back the other way and try again.

Hi, this is very easy to do. On the back end of the motor you will see a pair of wires plugged in to each other. Kill the power and just unplug and reverse these wires. This will reverse the rotation of the condenser fan motor. If you have no wires, check for an arrow on the motor housing. It will only go one way if there is one, and you will need to take it back. 2 pair of wires...., just reverse them very easy. Tie or tape them away from the blade.

Does your new motor have two sets of short wires with connectors in the middle of them? If so then it is reversible and the instructions for doing so are printed on the motor data plate on the side of the motor.If it does not have these wires then reverse the polarity of the two power leads as they come off the top of the contactor, that should fix your problem.

Does the compressor continue to run or does it cycle off as well? If the compressor is also cycling, it sounds like you are low on refrigerant.

If the fan is cycling off but the compressor continues to run:
(1) make sure the capacitor is wired correctly and is the correct mfd for the motor
(2) make sure the motor is going the proper direction. If it is going backwards the motor could be overheating
* if the direction is wrong, most new motors have a plug with two wires going to it in the end bell of the motor that you unplug and reverse.

If you are talking about the outdoor condenser fan motor, the wires that are on the **** end of the motor that are plugged together, you just take and reverse the 2. Very easy to do, there is only one other way they will go. This will reverse the direction.
Shastalaker7
A/C, & Heating Contractor

Hi, you say you wired it back in? Yes it is possible for the fan to run backward if the motor is a reversible motor. And yes, if its not running in the right direction, it will not keep the head pressure down like it should. On a reversible motor, they have 4- wires at the rear normally, that you interchange to reverse it. I don't know what wires you disconnected, but unless this is a 3 phase motor which I no its not, you would have had to change those 4- reversing wires to make it run either ccw or cw. It will tell you on the motor how to do this and the rotation. The blade on the fan is positioned to scoop up the air when turning, so you can look at it and tell the direction it goes. Air is pulled through the coil and out the top, or your head pressure we stay high and cause damage to the compressor in the long run, or shut it off on high head switch. I hope this has helped you. Residential units are single phase motors that can only be reversed if made to be, and can be changed by switching those 4-wires around.
Sincerely,
Shastalaker7
A/C, Heating, & Refrigeration Contractor

I am having the same problem, sometimes it runs in the wrong direction, blowing the air down. Sometimes something gets tripped and I need to turn the thermostat to off and wait a bit then restart it. If I am lucky it will run int the correct direction and also will warm the house. Sometimes it send nothing but cold air to the house's forced air.