I replaced the fan motor on my air conditioning unit but the new fan runs the opposite direction, can the direction be changed so it's blowing out the top? (had to use the old fan blades on the new fan motor) The new motor has 4 wires, the old one had 3.

fan direction control faulty
normally is a switch above the fan but if remote controlled could be the remote problem

Fan motors have rotations, clockwise and counter clockwise, lead end and opposite lead end. If you are looking at the motor from the fan blade side and the wires are on the back (opposite) side of the motor then you are looking at opposite lead end. Then you need to determine the rotation of the blade. It will scoop the air, so turning the blade that direction will give you the rotation. They also sell motors that you can change rotation by changing certain wires they have added.
When you replace a motor you need to notice the rotation and order that rotation. which end of the motor you are looking at to determine it. Then order the same rotation when buying the new one.

the answer to your problem is most likely the motor start capacitor. A AC motor can run in both directions. The start capacitor is used to cause the current to lag behined the voltage which determines the direction the motor will turn. Its posible the start and run capacitors are in one can. so changing one will change the other. However look for a wiring diagram. Do not asume that both capacitors are wired in properly. They may be fighting one another causeing premature failure.

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.

If the air stops blowing from the vents, the problem is with the blower motor. If it doesn't come on, try slapping the motor with your hand. If it starts when slapped, replace the motor.

Do It Yourself Diagnosis and Repair

Problem #1:Outdoor condensing fan motor has stopped running. This problem could be caused by a bad motor run capacitor. If your motor capacitor is not the problem, then more than likely you need a new motor. Is the fan blade tight, stiff or hard to turn? If the fan blade is hard to turn then you probably need a new motor. Problem #2: Air conditioner compressor will not start. When power is applied to the air conditioning outdoor unit the fan starts, but you hear a sound like the compressor is trying to start, "UGGG"..., for about 5 to 10 seconds and then all you hear is the outdoor condenser fan run. The compressor is locked and will not start. What is happening is the compressor is trying to start, but because the compressor motor is locked it tries to start for a few seconds and then because of the high amperage being drawn goes off on internal overload. The internal overload protects the compressor windings from overheating and burning up. I see this many times during the start of the air conditioning season. Some compressors just have a hard time starting after sitting all winter long. Some compressors are locked up so bad that I can not start them and must tell my customer that they need a new compressor . Many times I can get the compressor started again without having to buy a new compressor or new air conditioning system by using the device that is called, "Super-Boost." I keep two or three of these on the truck. They have saved many of my customers from having to buy new air conditioning systems.

You will need to replace the fan motor. Basically when the system starts running in reverse the fan motor is shot, and the electrical is telling to motor to spin one way but since the winnings are shot then are making the motor spin the opposite direction.

Please rate

you will have to replace the blower motor

I bet it is going the wrong direction. was the motor the same rpm( revolutions per min)and is the condenser clean? Tom

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.