St. Croix Prescott Convection Fan

[Poleyo]

Yesterday my stove started making a terrible whining noise which seemed to be coming from the convection fan in the bottom back. After changing the setting to 1, the fan seemed to give out, and though making noise still, the stove started to smoke and I had to unplug to shut it off.
This morning when I press the On button the convection fan is the ONLY thing that starts up (still whining), blows cold air for 10 seconds and shuts down, giving the #2 error, which is "the vacuum switch no longer senses negative pressure in the firebox".
My initial thought was just that the convection fan needs to be replaced (I opened and cleaned, but it wasn't really that dirty). But I don't know why the convection fan is preempting all the other functions since it doesn't usually start up until fire is established.
As an aside, I was wondering if it matters if there's a gap in the convection fan cover as shown in the photo with the lizard coming out of it. I only noticed it after I screwed the fan back in.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[heat seeker]

The #2 light is because the combustion fan isn't running. The POF switch may be stuck or shorted, which would cause the convection blower to run. Try lifting one wire off of it and see what happens when you power up. The control may be in shut down mode, although both blowers should be running if that's the case. Your combustion blower may be bad, have a wiring problem, or a control problem. You could run line voltage to it directly to see if it runs. Instructions on how to do that are in several threads here.

If the POF switch is shorted, it may cause your symptoms. If my stove wasn't running right now I'd short mine to see what happens. When the stove is cold, I do short the POF switch for cleaning, and both blowers run. So, conflicting symptoms, IMO.

 

[Poleyo]

Oops. Looks like a connection to the combustion fan came loose when I was poking around. Now I'm just dealing with a noisy convection fan again. Probably will replace if I can't stop the noise.
Thanks for the input.

 

[heat seeker]

Many times the bearings can be replaced for little money, if you're handy with things like that. The bearings may be had inexpensively, it's a bit of work to replace them.

You may want to get the new blower now, and keep the old one in reserve, or have a motor shop repair it, and you'll have a good spare.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

You burning plastic frogs in that roaster ?

 

[Mark_ms]

You burning plastic frogs in that roaster ?

No it's not a frog it's a Lizard....much tastier...

 

[SidecarFlip]

Buy a new one, rebuild the old one for a spare.............

 

[Bkins]

Try getting/putting some 3 in one oil on the bearings. Blue can of 3-1. Give the oil a chance to seep into the bearings. Do this on both sides but try not to overdo it. I tip my blowers on there sides, put oil on the bearing, and hold it there while turning the shaft for a couple of minutes. If your motor has oil ports use them instead. This should be part of your yearly maintance. If you can get some oil in you'll be amazed at the difference in noise.

 

[SidecarFlip]

When any blower starts making noise, it's reliable lifespan is nearing the end so it's time to get a new one and lube the dry bearings on the old one and keep it for a spare because the new one will become the 'old' one in a few years, even less if you don't maintain it.