Amana Cooling Condensing Unit fan won't kick on

This means that only your fan and emergency electric heater is working. The good thing is that we know the fan works. The bad thing is that the condensing unit isn't kicking on. Put your unit into regular heat and go outside to your condensing unit and see if it is running. If it's not, check your breaker and fuses at the outside unit to make sure the breaker is on and the fuses are good. Post back with what you find out and we can go from there.

It's the run capacitor for your fan. You'll need to pull it out and replace it. Look on Youtube about how to replace a condensing fan run capacitor. Make sure you get the same voltage and microfarad rated capacitor. Make sure you also disconnect the power to the unit. You can get the part at any HVAC parts house or Grainger. Should cost around $15

You're looking at around $800-$1000 to replace the compressor and if the condensing unit has some years on it (say 12 or more) it would probably be cost-effective to think about a new one, except for the fact you'd probably have to change the evaporative (inside) coil - to match the new condensing (outside) unit because chances are - your old unit is R-22 and you're going to have to put in a condensing unit that will be using a different refrigerant.
All that being said - I would try to find out the reason your AC is not cooling and hope it is a minor problem that can be easily repaired.

The humming noise and dimming of the lights is an indication something in the outdoor unit is locked up or has failed.

Check the capacitor as it may have gone bad. If the capacitor is good, then you either have a failed motor, a failed compressor, or both.

It is probably a capacitor problem. Check inside the outside unit. you will see a round cylinder with three groups of terminals on top. If the top of it is dome shaped it probably needs to be replaced. You can check it if you have a microfared tester. However if it is poofed out it probably is bad. If this is not the problem you will probably have to replace the fan motor.

A circuit breaker 'tripping' everytime the AC unit kicks on 'most always' indicates a direct short (somewhere in the condensing unit), although it is possible that the breaker itself is bad - (but not likely).

Usually the cause of this 'short' will be - either the condenser motor in the condensing unit (outside unit) or the compressor - also in the condensing unit.

If you're mechanically inclined - and "very careful" around electricity - there is a fairly simple way to find out which component is causing the short.

Step 1 - Make sure the condensing unit (outside unit) is completely disconnected (electrically) , i.e. pull the fuses/turn off circuit breaker on outside unit and turn off thermostat.

Step 2 - disconnect the condenser motor (this is the outside fan motor). Note: when you disconnect the wires of the condenser motor "be sure" you mark/write their location, and wrap them in electric tape.

Step 3 - start the AC unit. If the breaker trips again you can pretty much rest assured it's the compressor that is shorted.

To prove it (without a doubt) - go to next step.

Step 4 - "be sure circuit breaker and thermostat is turned off" - and - 'reconnect' the condenser motor - and - then disconnect the compressor wires (mark wires and tape them).

Step 5 - Start AC.

If breaker doesn't trip - you know it's the compressor that is shorted.

If breaker 'does' trip again - then it's possible the breaker itself is bad (not likely) or there is a 'short' in the condensing unit's "wiring" somewhere (not likely).

My guess is that either the condenser motor or compressor is shorted.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck!

check your circuit breaker.

Capacitor, dirty condencer coil causing the motor amps to run too high. But most likely worn bearing on blade side of motor causing it to pull to one side causing it to over heat and shut down. Sleve bearings should have no side play.

First of all, clean your outside coils so that you are assured of good cooling air. The compressors have an overtemp device that is usually internal to protect them against heat. If you have an air compressor use it to blow out the coils good. If the compressor will start, the capacitor is good so it sounds like a cooling problem with the compressor

Your blower fan turning on and off shows your thermostat is working. I am willing to bet you have the fan in the automatic condition. Check for a sticking contactor at the outside unit.