Hello everyone, noob here. So for the past two or so days my fathers 2004 1500's condenser fan won't start up.

Here's what we've done: Checked fuses and relays (all good), hit it a couple of times (starts up but a bit weak. Put a nylon bag on the radiator in front and the bag didn't stick.) We've also charged the A/C.

Inside, the A/C works but it's not very cold, I would say it's about room temperature. Any ideas?

If the fan stops working, what else does that affect?

 

Sounds like the fan is dying. If the fan dies, you won't have A/C in town or at idle, it will be hot.

Dad's Ram had the same problem, new condenser fan and all was well again.

 

X2 . Replace condenser fan. You can also jumper 12 volts to it, see how it behaves. If the same as before, definitely the fan going out.

 

search the threads for the motor PN. I went down to Oreilly's with the PN & it connected right up...there's a how to somewhere on here. You shouldn't have to remove the radiator to get at it though. You will have to snip the shroud. Easy job.

 

if you tap it and it starts to move that usually means the windings on the motor are worn/damaged, so just replace the fan motor and call it a day...

You need the fan in order to pull air through the condenser which will turn the freon back into a liquid.

Make sure you didn't OVER Pressurize the system when you "recharged it" because you can run into problems if it's over charged too.

 

You all were right, the fan was dying. Got a new one, plugged it in today and it works liek a charm.

Thanks all for your help!

 

Good to know you've got A/C now.

 

It's not the windings.
This motor has carbon brushed contacts on the commutator.
These wear out over time and the fan typically either starts and stops intermittently or is very weak and doesn't draw much if any air.
I removed mine, lapped in a set of new brushes I had and put it all back.
Works for the last 5-6 years now :-)
Al.

 

News to me... I'm very surprised that they'd use a brush motor...

 

Yeah me too. I was surprised when I opened it up actually.
No wonder they go bad regularly. Especially when the AC is used a lot in a hot state, such as Texas. I guess that's why my fan motor went bad. As my truck was imported from Tomball Texas to the UK.
I had to pry the end cap off the fan motor, by twisting the metal tabs off the back. Then it was pretty easy to do the rest. I cleaned up the commutator and replaced the brushes and all was good.
It all as you know, comes down to costs. A brush less motor needs electrical circuitry to get the thing running. A brushed doesn't and is cheaper but as we have all found out on here, are prone to mechanical wear and tear.
A nice little earner for the Dodge Stealerships lol
Al.