Fort Smith AC Tune-Up: Replacing a Worn Contactor and Outdoor Fan Motor

Early September is still cooling season in the River Valley, and this Fort Smith homeowner wanted to know where their air conditioner really stood. They called us for an AC inspection, so our technician came out for a full AC tune-up. The system is 11 to 15 years old. At that age, the parts that do the most work tend to start showing it.

What Our Technician Found

With the top of the outdoor unit off, the first thing he saw was the condenser coil. The inside of it was matted with fibers and debris. The coil is where your AC gets rid of the heat it pulls out of your house, so buildup like this makes the whole system work harder to do the same job.

In the electrical compartment, he checked the contactor. That is the switch that sends power to the compressor and outdoor fan every time your thermostat calls for cooling, so it opens and closes thousands of times over a summer. On this unit, its contact points were visibly worn.

What We Completed

Completed the AC tune-up on the system.
Replaced the worn contactor with a new one.
Replaced the outdoor (condenser) fan motor with a new universal-fit motor.
Cleared the debris out of the outdoor unit.

Close-up of a worn AC contactor with discolored contact points in a Fort Smith outdoor unit — The old contactor, with visibly worn contact points.

New contactor installed in the electrical compartment of a Fort Smith AC condenser — The new contactor, wired in and ready to switch the outdoor unit on and off.

The outdoor fan motor is what pulls air across that coil to carry the heat away. We mounted the new motor back under the fan guard and cleared the debris out of the unit.

Replacement condenser fan motor installed under the fan guard of a Fort Smith AC unit — The replacement outdoor fan motor, mounted back under the fan guard.

Inside of a Fort Smith AC condenser after service, with debris cleared from the base pan — Inside the outdoor unit after service, with the debris cleared out.

Our technician completed the tune-up and both part replacements in a single visit. If your system needs more than a tune-up, learn more about our AC repair service.

What Homeowners Can Learn From This Job

Contactors and fan motors are wear parts. They work every time your AC cycles on, so they wear out over time, especially on an older system.
A tune-up is the best time to catch wear. Worn parts are much easier to deal with on a scheduled visit than on the hottest afternoon of the year.
Keep the outdoor unit clear. Keep grass clippings, leaves and plants away from the sides of the unit so it can breathe.

Schedule Your AC Tune-Up in Fort Smith

Riverside Heating Air Plumbing serves homeowners across Fort Smith and the River Valley. If your system is due for a tune-up, or something just doesn’t sound or feel right, call us or book online and we will take a look.