Bonaire fault code E04
Fan motor fault.
What E04 actually means
Fan motor fault. The controller has called for the fan and cannot confirm it is running, or the motor has drawn more current than it should.
What causes it
- Capacitor failed, which is the most common and the cheapest
- Motor bearings seized after a winter sitting still
- Debris jamming the fan, including leaves and the occasional bird
- Wiring or terminal fault on the roof
- Belt worn or broken on belt-driven units
Most likely first. That order is from what we actually find on site, not from the manual.
Safe to check yourself
No tools, no covers off, nothing to do with gas, refrigerant or wiring.
- Listen for whether the fan attempts to start and hums without turning, which usually means a capacitor
- Nothing on the roof. Leave that to us
What we check on site
So you know what you’re paying for.
- Capacitor test
- Motor current draw and winding resistance
- Bearing condition
- Belt tension and condition where fitted
- Debris removal and fan balance check
Can you keep using it?
No point. Without the fan there is no cooling. It is not dangerous, but a motor that is straining is a motor that will fail properly soon.
What the fix usually involves
Capacitor on a good proportion of them, which is a quick roof visit. Bearings or a motor swap is a longer job.
Is it worth fixing?
That depends almost entirely on how old the unit is. Past about ten years on hot water and gas heating, and twelve on aircon, a significant repair usually costs more per remaining year than a replacement does — and it’s the same point at which the VEU rebate is worth the most, because old inefficient appliances are exactly what the scheme pays to remove. If yours is young and the fault is a component, we’ll fix it and say so.
Repair or replace? The 10-year rule, and what the rebate is worth →