Troubleshooting your Wards downdraft ventilation system when the vent won't go up
First, check for electrical power going to the downdraft blower. Check the house circuit breaker; if it tripped, reset the breaker and see if the vent will go up. If not, check the electrical outlet to make sure it has power. Plug a small lamp or appliance into the outlet. If the outlet isn't working, have an electrician repair the electrical outlet.
If the outlet's okay, then you may need to adjust the position of the up/down activation switch. To check the switch position, unplug the downdraft vent, lift the vent and tilt it slightly so it stays in the raised position. Remove the switch cover from the right end of the vent. Check the position of the up/down activation switch plunger. If the plunger isn't touching the bottom of the vent's button membrane, loosen the up/down activation switch mounting screws and move the switch up until the button membrane barely touches the up/down activation switch plunger. Replace the switch cover and restore electrical power to the downdraft vent.
If the up/down activation switch position is okay, check the up/down button pad for damage. Replace the up/down button pad if it's not activating the up/down activation switch plunger when you press the button pad.
What to do when the fan isn't pulling much air in your Wards downdraft ventilation system
When the downdraft vent fan isn’t pulling much air, clogged grease filters, air duct problems, a fan motor failure or a broken blower wheel could be causing poor air suction.
First, check the condition of the grease filters and wash or replace them if dirty.
Next, check the air damper on the vent duct cap attached to the outside of your house. That air damper keeps outside air from flowing into your home when the downdraft vent fan isn’t running. Repair or replace the air damper if it doesn’t open to allow downdraft exhaust air to flow out of the exhaust duct.
Check the blower wheel for damage because a damaged blower wheel won’t move air through the downdraft vent properly. Replace the blower wheel if damaged.
A weak fan motor won’t turn the blower wheel at the right speed to move air through the downdraft vent. If the fan motor makes noise or doesn’t turn the blower wheel at full speed when activated, replace the fan motor.
