This DIY repair guide explains how to replace the condenser fan on a window air conditioner. The condenser fan blows air across the condenser coil at the back of the air conditioner to cool the condenser coil. If the condenser fan motor bearings wear out, the fan may squeal or stop running; as a result, the air conditioner won't cool well or won't cool at all. Replace a worn condenser fan using the manufacturer-approved window air conditioner part.

Follow these steps to replace the condenser fan in Kenmore, Frigidaire, Crosley and LG window air conditioners.

Quick links

Instructions

Tools required

Phillips screwdriver

Insulated slot screwdriver

Work gloves

Wire ties

Repair difficulty

Time required

90 minutes or less

Instructions

01.
Disconnect electrical power
Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
02.
Pull the air conditioner out of the window
Remove the screws that hold the accordion filler panels in the window frame.
Push the accordion filler panels inward to clear the window frame.
With the aid of an assistant, support the air conditioner and raise the window sash.
Carefully lift the air conditioner out of the window and set it on a stable work surface.
PHOTO: Place the air conditioner on a stable work surface.
03.
Remove the front grille panel and filter
Grasp the sides of the front grille panel at the top and pull the panel out and off of the air conditioner.
Pull the filter out.
Tip: Take this opportunity to clean the air filter if necessary.
PHOTO: Remove the air filter.
04.
Remove the control panel
Remove the screws from the sides and bottom of the control panel.
Pull the control panel up and hold it above the air conditioner. Unplug the wire harness connection for the user interface control board.
Set the control panel aside.
PHOTO: Remove the screws from the sides of the control panel.
05.
Remove the front panel
Remove the screws from the sides of the front panel.
Pull the front panel off the air conditioner and set it aside.
PHOTO: Remove the screws from the sides of the front panel.
PHOTO: Pull the front panel off the air conditioner.
06.
Remove the outer case
Remove the screws from the exterior of the outer case.
Remove the center stop for the accordion filler panels. Remove the hidden screw that is under that center stop.
Pull outward on the bottom of the outer case and remove the outer case from the air conditioner.
PHOTO: Remove the screws from both sides of the outer case.
PHOTO: Remove the screws on the back of the outer case.
PHOTO: Remove the outer case.
07.
Remove the electronic control board case
Remove the screws from the electronic control board case.
Pull out the cover of the electronic control board case out to expose the electronic control board.
PHOTO: Remove the screws from the control board case.
PHOTO: Remove the control board case.
08.
Release the condenser fan motor wires
Pull the red motor wire off of the P1 connector on the electronic control board.
Remove the screw from the condenser fan motor capacitor mounting bracket.
Pull the capacitor up and out of the housing.
Peel the rubber boot off of the top of the capacitor.
Short across every combination of terminals on the top of the capacitor using an insulated slot screwdriver. To short across means to place the insulated screwdriver tip across every combination of terminals on the capacitor.
Mark the location of the blue and black motor wires connected to the capacitor terminals.
Pull the black and blue motor wires off of the condenser fan motor capacitor.
Warning: The capacitor can retain an electrical charge even when the air conditioner is unplugged. Short across the terminals of the condenser fan capacitor using an insulated slot screwdriver.
09.
Remove the condenser fan blade
Remove the screws from the sides of the upper condenser fan shroud. Pull the upper condenser fan shroud up and off of the air conditioner.
Remove the screws from the back base of the air conditioner casing that hold the condenser in place.
Carefully pull the condenser up and out of the air conditioner casing and swing it slightly back to access the condenser fan blade.
Remove the hex nut on the end of the fan motor shaft, using a wrench. The hex nut is reverse threaded which means turn the hex nut clockwise to remove the hex nut.
Pull the lock washer and flat washer off the end of the condenser fan motor shaft.
Pull the fan blade off of the end of the shaft.
Warning: The refrigerant lines are connected to the condenser, so take care not to crack or break the refrigerant lines when swinging the condenser up and out of the way. The condenser only needs to be moved far enough to access the condenser fan blade and motor.
10.
Remove the condenser fan motor
Cut the wire ties and release the wire harness that runs from the condenser fan motor to the capacitor and electronic control board.
Remove the screws that hold the condenser fan motor in the mounting bracket.
Remove the green ground wire from the side of the condenser fan motor casing.
Pull the fan motor out of the air conditioner.
11.
Install the new condenser fan motor
Hold the new condenser fan motor near the mounting bracket and connect the green ground wire to the condenser fan motor casing.
Reinstall the mounting screws to secure the condenser fan motor to the mounting bracket.
Properly route the condenser fan motor wires to the capacitor and the electronic control board.
Connect the blue and black motor wires to the capacitor using your marks as a guide.
Connect the red wire to the P1 connector on the electronic control board.
12.
Route the condenser fan motor wires
Position the condenser fan motor wires inside the case so that they aren’t pinched when you reassemble the air conditioner.
Use wire ties to hold the condenser fan motor wiring harness in place.
13.
Reattach the cover on the electronic control board
Position the cover of the electronic control board case and reinstall the screws.
Tip: Make sure that no wires are pinched when reinstalling the electronic control board cover.
14.
Reinstall the capacitor
Slide the rubber boot down on the top of the capacitor. Position the capacitor in its mounting bracket and secure it with the mounting screw.
15.
Replace the condenser fan blade
Slide the blade onto the condenser fan motor shaft.
Reinstall the flat washer, lock washer and hex nut to hold the fan blade in place. Rotate the reverse-threaded hex nut counter-clockwise to tighten it.
Reinstall the condenser in the base of the air conditioner and secure it with the screws.
Reinstall the upper condenser fan shroud and secure it with the screws.
Tip: The condenser fan motor has a “D” shaft. Align the flat spot on the hub of the fan blade with the flat spot on the condenser fan motor shaft and slide the fan blade into place.
16.
Reinstall the outer case and front panel
Position the outer case properly on the air conditioner. Reinstall the screws in the outer case including the hidden screw in the center. Position the front panel on the air conditioner and reinstall the mounting screws on the sides of the front panel.
17.
Reinstall the control panel
Position the control panel above the air conditioner and plug the user interface control wire harness in. Position the control panel on the front of the air conditioner and reinstall the mounting screws in the control panel.
18.
Reinstall the front grille panel and filter
Insert the filter on the front of the air conditioner. Position the front grille panel on the front of the air conditioner and snap the front grill panel into place.
PHOTO: Reinstall the filter.
19.
Restore the power
Plug the air conditioner into the electrical outlet.

Warning: Undertaking repairs to appliances can be hazardous. Use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the guide and follow all instructions. Do not proceed until you are confident that you understand all of the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs should only be performed by a qualified technician.