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Condenser fan making terrible noises


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Gunners
New User

Oct 11, 2012, 6:39 AM

Post #1 of 8 (2901 views)
Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

OK. so here it goes. Its my first post, so go easy on me. I'm pretty good about learning things on my own and as a backdrop, I want to go through a quick story before getting to my issue because it lays the basis of my problem and my discovery of the problem.

I drive a 2003 Honda CR-V with 100,000 miles on it as of a couple days ago. A few weeks ago, my A/C stopped working. There was no air coming out of the vents. I googled the issue and came up with the idea to check the fuses. I noticed that the fuse for the Condensor Fan was blown. So I replaced it. A/C still didn't work. Then I realized that the Condenser Fan wasn't my issue. It was the Blower fan. But the blower fan's fuse was fine. Then I discovered on Google that it is typical for the Blower Fan resistor to go bad in Hondas. So I bought the new resister, strained my neck and arm while trying to unscrew those hard-to-reach screws under the passenger glove box, replaced the resistor, and voila, the A/C works again. As a by-product, I replaced the blown fuse in the condenser fan that was blown for god knows how long. I noticed over the summer that the car would get close to overheating while idleing for extended periods of time, but would cool down again as long as I started moving. Now i realize my condensor fan wasn't working during the summer.

AAAANYWAY. now just yesterday, the condenser fan is making a terrible noise when it kicks on. I know it's the condenser fan because I pulled the fuse on it and the noise stopped. Then i put the fuse back in and the noise started again. So for now, I just have the fuse pulled out on it and i'm using the car without the condenser fan. I mean, i used it all summer and maybe even longer without it, so I figure it can't be much more harm. But i'd rather have the thing working properly. Is there a way to clean the fan? how do I get to it? I can't see anything in particular, but i also can't even really see the fan. I just know generally where it is and have pinpointed that it is the cause of the noise by doing the fuse test. It sounds like there are extra pieces of metal being whacked around by the fan blades. or maybe some bones of a critter that crawled up in there. I don't know.

I'm open to suggestions. And please don't make fun of me for driving my car for months without a condenser fan!

Thank you in advance and sorry for the long explanation.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 11, 2012, 6:57 AM

Post #2 of 8 (2878 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

Your condenser fan is bad and that is likely what caused the fuse to blow in the first place. You need to fix that ASAP because not only will it ruin the A/C compressor but if the fan comes apart, it may damage other things like the condenser.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 11, 2012, 7:06 AM

Post #3 of 8 (2873 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

Fan just for the A/C condenser up front is not involved with the blower motor for heat, A/C or vent to interior. A/C wouldn't work well with no condenser fan or not allow compressor to engage which I think you should take on separately IF THAT SAME FAN ISN'T INVOLVED IN COOLING THE ENGINE.

For the noise to condenser fan with it unplugged try to turn it with a small stick or something carefully to see if there is something broken with fan blades, motor wobbling or the housing parts broken somehow? If the electrics to that motor are drawing too much power the fuse should blow. You really need to get a look right at it from the fan side (probably toward engine and tight) to see what is broken or if by chance debris got in there?

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 11, 2012, 7:16 AM

Post #4 of 8 (2863 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

The A/C compressor engages during defrost and without a condenser fan, it will take out a very expensive compressor so do not ignore that problem.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Gunners
New User

Oct 11, 2012, 7:18 AM

Post #5 of 8 (2858 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

OK. so i guess the answer is that I should bite the bullet and take it into the shop?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 11, 2012, 7:23 AM

Post #6 of 8 (2855 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

If it's beyond your ability, yes.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Gunners
New User

Oct 11, 2012, 7:28 AM

Post #7 of 8 (2850 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

OK. Thank you for your time and comments.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 11, 2012, 7:28 AM

Post #8 of 8 (2850 views)
Re: Condenser fan making terrible noises Sign In

Those fans are wired to run simultaneously so one of the 3 fuses can take both fans out



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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