[ccivalp]

I have a 18500 BTU through wall AC unit that started smoking and had a strong electrical smell. I unplugged it for several hours and then plugged it back in and it seemed to work fine. I unplug it when Im not home or at night, and when I plug it back in, I have to manually push the fan blades to get it started again. It will then run fine. I fear I will have to replace the motor, which is cost prohibitive. Can anyone think of anything else it could be before I replace it? Thanks in advance..
Steve

[richappy]

You might just have a bad start capacitor. I would bypass it with a known good one.

[ccivalp]

It seems I may have more problems. Im not getting the volumn of air I was before this all happened. Its still cooling and it isnt struggling to run, it just doenst push the air the way it did. Your thoughts? I appreciate your recommendations, and according to your response, if the unit is salvageable, I will replace the starter capacitor. Thanks again.

[richappy]

If you have some shorted turns in the motor stator, it would slow it down, but it would overheat and draw more current. If the capacitor is small value, like 10 ufd. it might be a run capacitor, which if open, would make the motor run slower.