I recently replaced the fan motor and capacitor for my condensing unit. The fan worked fine for a couple of days, but now after the unit turns on and runs for a time (minutes to an hour or so) the fan stops. If I turn it off for an hour of so, it will start running again, but then stop again. I am suspecting I got a bad capacitor, any other thoughts?

you need to replace your condensing fan motor. the noise you are hearing is the compressor working against a lot of pressure because the heat is building up in you condensing unit. Prolonged operation without an operating condensing fan motor will cause your compressor to burn up, and then you will have the cost of a compressor changeout to the cost of a condensing fan motor.

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.

Hello, usually this is a sign of a bad capacitor. Replace the capacitor.

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.

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maybe it has tripped off on high pressure, as you have have said the fan is not turning so will cause high pressure. now assuming the problem is the fan is not running than check the condition of the condensator /capacitor for the fan motor. if the motors winding is still good replace the capacitor and try it ON.

That thing connected to the capacitor is a booster for the compressor .But if the outside fan doesn't work , the compressor will shutt off on overload because the high pressure in the condenser coil.
First try to replace the capacitor in the condensing unit (it's the only one that works for the compressor and the fan motor) ,but if the fan doesn't start, you need to replace the fan motor.

All timers are located on the main control board in the air handler " inside unit ". There is a circuit board in it near the heat strips and it has a couple of relays that are notorius for going out. Replace the board and the condenser unit " outside unit " should start to operate properly.

yes

if it is making strange noises during operation it is going out on high pressure due to the condenser fan not running , check the capacitor for the fan to make sure it has not expanded also check if motor is getting proper voltage , is capacitor is good and motor has proper voltage supplied then you have a bad motor and should be replaced with new capacitor.
Phil

Hmm It's passable that the condenser fan motor is not spinning at speed or is running for a period of time and over heating and the Condenser fan motors internal overload protection trips and takes it of line shortly thereafter, of course, the compressor internal overload trips and takes it of line. Spraying with the water hose sped up the cool down on the internal overloads but I'm afraid it probably didn't do much to help the original problem. You could try replacing the Fan condensing motor capacitor-(it's listed on the side of the motor if the capacitor cant be read) and oiling the motor if it has oil ports (2 small plugs located along the perimeter of each end of the motor). If the motor can be oiled and you replace the capacitor theres a fair chance you might get by another year without replacing the condenser fan motor. Charged capacitors pack a nasty jolt so be careful, hope this was helpful, GL!
P.S. If it is the cond. fan motor and you replace it be sure you get a sealed outdoor rated cond. fan motor and the appropriate rain guards are installed.