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SyrenSkywolf · 01-21-2014, 02:16 PM

I've had one or two instances of the motor not starting at all in the past, like something blocked it, but as soon as I'd touch the edge of the fan with the screwdriver, it would whip right up (to my shock every time even when I expected it to).

It has behaved for the past 1 1/2 months or so until the other night. The fan will "start up" but only putz along at a very low pace, sounding almost like an very old small engine at low idle. It's done it the past 2 nights. Of course, it is in the 50's in here by the time we realize it (nice, warm blanket!).

I will go out, open up the furnace, and the immediate solution apparently is to bang on it with the blunt end of the screwdriver right where it is shown in the pictures. Two hits, and she is running full speed again, and will be fine until the middle of the night the next night.

The spot I am banging on isn't the motor itself, but the smaller fan which I am assuming is for air flow into the combustion chamber.

Has anyone else dealt with this, or have any insight? Much appreciated!

jesilvas · 01-21-2014, 06:12 PM

I'd check voltage into the motor.
However, if that is good, then I'd put a new motor in it.

Algoma · 01-21-2014, 06:17 PM

Just replace the motor.

steinjef · 01-21-2014, 06:37 PM

i had one that did the same thing. It turned out to be a sticky solenoid just to the right of your screw driver. I sprayed it with wd40 and that cleared things up.

SyrenSkywolf · 01-21-2014, 08:53 PM

I'll try steinjef's idea first, as the motor runs completely fine otherwise. I'd rather not have to replace it yet lol.

Thanks steinjef :]

SyrenSkywolf · 01-26-2014, 02:26 AM

Found out the problem. The connectors at the motor are loose! Not the connections to the wires themselves, but the connectors ON the motor. They move when I wiggle the wires, and the motor speed increases/decreases according to which direction I move them, including pushing on them.

Going to attempt to pull the motor tomorrow to try and fix them. At least we have a space heater and it is in the 20's tonight!

SyrenSkywolf · 01-26-2014, 03:52 PM

Nope, not happening. New motor it is I guess...

Algoma · 01-26-2014, 04:09 PM

If you have the Suburban furnace make sure you get the correct motor. I have a 42F and the motor changed in 2001; most places advertising motors quote the new one.

SyrenSkywolf · 01-26-2014, 06:16 PM

I have an Atwood. At least I have the model # for the motor, and plan to ask for it specifically. If I can't find one in town, I'll have to order it. At least we have a space heater, and the weather is fairly mild right now here in Montana.

ken90004 · 01-27-2014, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SyrenSkywolf

At least we have a space heater and it is in the 20's tonight!

20's is like a heat wave to me. We had windchills below 0. Last night was into the teens with wind gusts up to 50mph. And out my port side is a change in elevation of a good 25 feet.

Personally, I'd take the motor apart and clean it real good with contact spray. It doesn't sound dead to me.

SyrenSkywolf · 01-27-2014, 08:38 PM

We had -teens and -40-50 windchills here in early December. January is usually a fair-weather month around here for some reason.

The problem with the Atwood motors is they are sealed. No way to get into them without destroying them. And, yeah, it isn't dead, but it has a foot in the grave. The wiring connectors are loose, so they don't have a good connection inside the motor. Not much I could do.

disc1 · 02-13-2014, 07:59 PM

Check and make sure you have a good ground.

SyrenSkywolf · 02-13-2014, 08:39 PM

Ground and voltage are just fine on it. Had that problem on my last rv. It was the connection to the motor itself. It was loose, and no way to get into the motor to fix it. Bought a new one.