When a furnace blower motor hums but won’t start, the most common issue is a faulty run capacitor. This electrical part stores energy to boost the blower motor into starting. If the capacitor does not require replacement, the problem may be with the blower motor itself.

What does it mean when your furnace just hums?

Noise #4: Humming or buzzing



But if you hear a loud humming or buzzing sound coming from your furnace, it usually means your furnace has an electrical problem. The most common electrical issues that cause a humming or buzzing sound include: A failing blower motor capacitor. An aging or unlubricated blower motor.

Is there a reset button on a furnace blower motor?





Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. Be cautious as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.

How do you test a furnace blower motor capacitor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Way. Even when the power is off a capacitor can still hold an electrical charge in order to safely discharge a capacitor. Take a screwdriver. And put it across the terminals of the capacitor.

How do I reset my HVAC blower motor?

How to Find and Reset your Furnace Motor Blower

  1. Step 1: Turn off the power to the furnace. …
  2. Step 2: Remove the blower compartment cover. …
  3. Step 3: Make sure the blower is completely cooled off. …
  4. Step 4: Locate the reset button. …
  5. Step 5: Press the button in (assuming that this is your issue and that the button has popped).


How do I know if my furnace blower motor is bad?





What Are Signs Your Blower Motor Needs to Be Replaced?

  1. Poor or Airflow from Air Vents. This will be the first and most obvious sign your blower motor has a problem. …
  2. No Airflow At All From Vents. …
  3. Skyrocketing Energy Bills. …
  4. Strange Noises When You Turn on the Heat. …
  5. Overheating Blower / Weird Smells.


Why an AC fan gives humming sound and does not start?

If your outdoor AC unit is humming but the fan isn’t running, that most likely means you have a bad fan capacitor. Thankfully, there’s a short-term fix that’ll keep you cool until you get your capacitor replaced.

What would cause a furnace not to kick on?

If your furnace is not turning on you should first check if the filter is clean. Dirty filters cause insufficient airflow and can prevent the furnace from starting. Other reasons it won’t start can stem from improper thermostat settings, forgetting to turn on the gas line, or faulty pilot light.

Where is the reset button located on a furnace?



Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. Be cautious as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.

What causes a furnace blower to stop working?

If you see or hear the fan turn on, your blower motor is not the culprit. If the fan does not start, you have a wiring issue (circuit breaker trips) or motor problem (circuit breaker does not trip). While your thermostat may be at fault, only an HVAC technician can diagnose and remedy the issue correctly.

How do I know if a capacitor is bad?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So those are all bad capacitors. This one looks just find them all right so. So you wouldn't have any visual on this telling you that it's bad.

How do you jump a blower motor on a furnace?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But if you're at the furnace you can also jumper it very easily down here at the control board and the way to do that is either with a jumper wire.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace blower motor?

$400 to $600

On average nationwide, a furnace blower motor replacement costs $400 to $600, including parts and labor. A single-speed blower motor costs around $450 to replace while a variable-speed motor costs $600 or more. You’ll also need to budget labor, about $75 to $125 per hour.

What does a bad furnace capacitor sound like?

Open the access panel to the furnace and listen for a relatively loud humming noise. If you hear that sound and it doesn’t stop, there’s an electrical difficulty. If you hear a “clicking” sound when the capacitor kicks in, that’s a problem too.

What does a bad blower motor sound like?



A defective blower motor will make a continuous sound noticeable by the passengers in the vehicle. It can manifest as a knocking, whirring, clunking, vibrating, squealing, or whining noise that persists until the blower motor is replaced.

How do I know if my capacitor or fan motor is bad?

5 Signs Your AC Fan Motor Is Bad

  1. The cooling fans won’t turn on.
  2. The fan turns on when the AC is running, but the blades rotate slowly.
  3. You can hear a rattling noise coming from the condenser unit.
  4. It smells like something’s burning.
  5. Blown fuse.


What happens when blower motor capacitor goes bad?

The capacitor needs to be in good condition for the blower motor to function properly. If the capacitor is bad, the blower motor may run slowly or inconsistently, or overheat easily. If you notice that your blower motor works strangely or short cycles, make sure to contact professionals to inspect your capacitor.

Will fan run if capacitor is bad?



The capacitor helps the fan motor run. Delivering torque to the fan motor, if the capacitor is faulty, there won’t be enough power delivered and the blower wheel, fan belt, and other important components can cease to operate.

What happens when a start capacitor goes bad?

A start capacitor is only used in the motor circuit for a second or two when it first starts to turn. Once the motor is up to speed, the start capacitor disconnects and is not used again until the next time the motor starts. If the start capacitor fails, then the motor will not be able to begin turning.

How do I know if the capacitor is bad on my furnace?

The clearest sign of a problem with a furnace capacitor is when the blower fans stop running. If your furnace comes on, but no air blows through the vents and you don’t hear the noise of the fans, then the trouble is either a burnt-out motor or a damaged capacitor.

How can you tell the difference between a run and start capacitor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The start capacitor creates a current to voltage lag. In the separate start windings of the motor. The current builds up slowly.