The furnace blower fan is one of the most significant elements of the furnace or home heating system. It will ease out the heated air circulation throughout your household.
As it takes a lot of wear, the furnace fan has a high risk for developing various issues, with the inability to start as the most common to name. One of the many things you learn about your Goodman furnace is that when you identify the cause of the problem, things are more precise, and solutions are more effortless to develop.
The fan doesn’t run. The furnace fires, but your blower doesn’t run.
Once the burner ignites, the heating cycle continues with the running of the blower motor. An internal timing of the control board or a switch activated by a button will make the blower motor run. No matter the situation for your furnace, you should wait 60-90 seconds after the burner ignition to see the blower motor run.
When the fan motor doesn’t run, your furnace is about to over, and the high-temperature limit switch will make the burner turn off.
It’s possible to discover the issue by selecting the “On” position of the fan at the thermostat. If the fan starts working, the cause of the problem isn’t the fan motor. Keep in mind that you may have to keep the fan in the “On” position so that heat keeps on running until you fix the issue.
What can make the fan not run?
Several factors will affect the operation of the fan, so keep reading to be prepared if it happens with your Goodman furnace:
Poor blower motor
When the blower motor doesn’t run (no air will blow either), a damaged blower motor may be the culprit. Even if it’s not mandatory, a burnt rubber or plastic smell will signal a damaged blower motor too.
When the fan isn’t correctly running after the burners got ignited after you’ve placed the thermostat fan switch to the “On” position, a bad blower motor could be the culprit.
Faulty heat-activated switch
Old furnaces models come with a switch activated by heat for powering the blower motor once the burners ignite and the heating chamber is warmed up.
When the blower starts after you turn the thermostat fan switch to the “On” position but doesn’t automatically come on afterburners ignite, the heat-activated switch may be faulty. Unless you’re a technician, you may only solve the problem by calling the professionals.
Bad capacitor
A capacitor is necessary for most direct-driven PSC fan motors, ensuring more power for starting. The fan motor with a lousy capacitor may try to start and fail while generating a very loud (louder than usual) humming sound.
The motor will hum for a couple of seconds, but it will also overheat and eventually turn off automatically. It will attempt to start once again after 30-60 seconds.
We should remind you that some motors may start to run (very difficult, nevertheless) despite the bad capacitor. More often than not, a fan motor running as usual after you’ve manually helped it to start is a sign of a bad capacitor. Sadly, you will have to call the technician.
Fan control
It’s instead a common cause for the faulty blower fan. You should take a look at the AFC (automatic fan control) for dust or debris buildup. You may solve the issue on your own by adjusting the rise and the fall of the temperature.
Faulty control board
Many modern furnaces come with a computerized control board, which activates the blower motor throughout the heating process. The furnace control board will start the blower motor in 60 seconds afterburners ignite. If your blower begins after you turn the thermostat fan switch to the “on” position but still doesn’t come on automatically afterburners ignite, a faulty control board could cause the problem.
Bad belt
Old furnaces would utilize blower motors driven by belts. When the belt loosens or breaks, the blower wheel doesn’t turn anymore, even when the engine is running.
Thermostat
You may see what’s wrong with the fan by also checking the thermostat. You should turn off the power to the furnace, disconnecting the cables from the thermostat. Continue with turning the power on after you tied the white and red wires together. Should the furnace still start, the thermostat per se or a thermostat wire could cause the problem? You may save the day by replacing the wire or the thermostat altogether.
Poor blower relay
It’s quite common for a furnace fan not to work because of a lousy blower relay. The first thing to do is take a look at the voltage from the board or the relay. When the voltage isn’t recorded, replacing the relay or the board is the fix. If it runs on a battery, you need to carefully observe if it’s properly running.
We can definitely connect you with a trusted provider in your area to repair, replace or maintain your heating and A/C systems. Why not let us find a professional for you?
