Compressor Burnout; Fan Motor; Dehydrating Sealed Refrigeration System - Amana 10c5ez Service

Troubleshooting Information
To avoid risk of electrical shock, personal injury, or death, disconnect electrical power source to unit and
discharge capacitor through a 10,000 ohm resistor before attempting to service, unless test procedures require
power to be connected. Ensure all earth wires are connected before certifying unit as repaired and/or
operational.

Compressor Burnout

!
WARNING
To avoid personal injury, do not allow sludge or oil
from compressor to contact skin. Severe burns may
result.
NOTE: Before opening any refrigeration system, capture
refrigerant in system for safe disposal.
NOTE: Do not use captured or recycled refrigerant in
Amana units. Captured or recycled refrigerant
voids any Amana and/or compressor
manufacture's warranty.
When a compressor burns out, high temperature causes
the refrigerant, oil, and motor insulation to decompose,
forming acids and sludge.
If a compressor is suspected of burning out:
1. Disconnect power to unit.
2. Attach piercing valve to process tube of liquid line
strainer. Discharge refrigerant in system to a recovery
cylinder.
3. Remove compressor and obtain an oil sample from
suction stub on compressor.
4. Analyze oil sample using Sporlan Acid Test Kit, AK-3
(or equivalent)
If oil sample is within parameters, a burnout has not
occurred or is so mild that compressor replacement is
not necessary. Reinstall compressor.
If acid level is unacceptable, replace compressor.

Fan Motor

1. Disconnect power to unit.
2. Discharge capacitor by shorting capacitor terminals
through a 10,000 ohm resistor.
3. Disconnect fan motor leads from selector switch and
respective capacitor.
4. Check for continuity between each motor lead with
ohmmeter.
5. Check for ground by attaching one lead of ohmmeter
to motor frame (ground). Attach remaining ohmmeter
lead to each fan motor lead, one at a time.
!
WARNING
NOTE: Ensure contact point between ohmmeter lead
and motor frame is clean.
Replace fan motor if windings test open (very high or
infinite resistance), or if any continuity is indicated
between motor frame and windings.
When replacing fan motor:
•
Replacement fan motor must be installed with motor
leads below level of motor shaft.
•
Drip loop in motor leads must be below wire openings
in motor housing.
•
Coat exposed areas of shaft from blower wheel or fan
blade to end of shaft with Cosmoline or equivalent to
prevent corrosion.
• Ensure evaporator blower wheel and/or condenser fan
blade clearance tolerances are correct. Distance
between evaporator blower wheel and orifice ring is
exact and important (3.2 mm on portables, 6.4 mm on
high efficiency and 12.7 mm on compacts).
Condenser fan blade should be centered in fan shroud
ring. Distance between fan blade and condenser fins
should be:
5—8,000 Btu units
10—12,000 BTU units
14—21,000 BTU units

Dehydrating Sealed Refrigeration System

Moisture in a room air conditioner sealed system, when
exposed to heat generated by the compressor and
motor, reacts chemically with refrigerant and oil in the
system and forms corrosive hydrochloric and hydrofluoric
acids. These acids contribute to the breakdown of motor
winding insulation and corrosion of compressor working
parts, causing compressor failure.
In addition, sludge, a residue of the chemical reaction,
coats all surfaces of sealed system, and will eventually
restrict refrigerant flow through capillary tube.
To dehydrate seal system, evacuate system (see
paragraph Evacuation).
23
6.4 cm
38.2 cm
25.4 cm
RS5100002 Rev. 0