My AC unit is 16 years old. It stopped cooling last week. When I realized it was not cooling I went and looked at the outside unit and the fan was not spinning.

I could hear an audible click when the unit turned on, but wouldn't spin. I used a stick to push the blades and they actually started spinning.

Reading online it sounds like the ball bearings in the motor may be shot and it suggests a new motor. The motor would be around $275.

With the unit being as old as it is, should I replace the whole thing, or just replace the motor.

One other thing to mention - after the fan got going it sounded, and looked fine, but the air did not appear to be getting cold. Not sure why that was.