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Fujitsu code 97: outdoor unit fan motor error

By How House Works EditorialBased on Fujitsu manualsChecked against sources Updated

Fujitsu display

97

“Outdoor unit fan motor error (Outdoor unit)”

KPAS, KPBS, KNAS, KMAS, KZAS, KTAS, ASLH, LZBS, LZAS, LMAS, LPAS · KPAS/KPBS service p. 03-3; KNAS service p. 03-3; KMAS service p. 03-2; KZAS service p. 03-3; KTAS service p. 03-3; ASLH service p. 03-2; LZBS service p. 03-2; LZAS service p. 03-2; LMAS service p. 03-2; LPAS service p. 03-2
Technician

OPERATION 9 / TIMER 7. The outdoor fan is stopped when it runs below 100 rpm 20 seconds after starting; repeated stops shut the compressor and fan down (KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-60). KNAS heads it “97 / 98.X. Outdoor unit fan motor error” (KNAS Service Manual SR_AS159ES_02, p. 03-3). KPAS installation manual: “Outdoor unit fan motor 1 error” (KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-16).

What it means

Code 97 is an outdoor unit fan motor error. In the installation manuals’ lamp tables it is nine OPERATION blinks and seven TIMER blinks, repeated, while ECONOMY blinks fast KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-16; LZBS Installation Manual, p. En-11; RLS3 Installation Manual, p. En-12.

The KPAS/KPBS service manual describes the detection in three steps KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-60:

  1. If the outdoor fan runs at less than 100 rpm 20 seconds after it starts, the fan motor stops.
  2. If, after a restart, the same thing happens within 60 seconds three times in a row, the compressor and the fan motor stop.
  3. If steps 1 and 2 repeat five times in a row, the compressor and the fan motor stop permanently.

The causes listed are a fan rotation failure, motor protection after the temperature around the motor rises, a failed main PCB and the outdoor fan motor itself. In that manual’s mobile app table the code is 97.3, “Outdoor unit fan motor 1 power source duty error” KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-9. The K-series and L-series installation manuals call 97 “Outdoor unit fan motor 1 error” and list 98 for a second outdoor fan motor KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-16; LZBS Installation Manual, p. En-11.

Check these first

Fujitsu’s owner’s manuals give no owner fix for this code. The steps are the same as for any code; the manuals’ wording is on the code 11 page.

  1. Check that it is an error code: OPERATION and TIMER blink while ECONOMY blinks fast KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-13.
  2. Read the code with Service check if your remote has it KPAS Operation Manual, pp. En-13–En-14.
  3. Stop the unit, turn off its breaker and consult authorized service personnel, as the manuals require for this lamp pattern RLS3 Operation Manual, p. En-10; KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-12. This is separate from their rule against using the breaker for everyday on and off KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-2.
  4. Give them the code KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-14.

The RLS3 owner’s manual says the outdoor unit’s fan may stop during heating for automatic defrosting RLS3 Operation Manual, p. En-10, and that OPERATION then blinks slowly on its own, not in the error pattern RLS3 Operation Manual, p. En-2.

When to call a licensed technician

The KPAS/KPBS service manual’s checks for 97, in order KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, pp. 03-60–03-61:

  • With operation off, turn the outdoor fan by hand to see whether it is caught, has come off or the motor is locked. Replace the fan or bearing if it is abnormal.
  • Check for excessive heat around the motor from nearby equipment. Restart once the temperature has come down.
  • Check the outdoor fan motor. If it is abnormal, replace the fan motor and the main PCB.
  • Check the main PCB’s output voltage to the fan motor at the PCB-side connector against the manual’s values, and replace the main PCB if it is not correct.

The voltage check is made with the unit powered. This is technician work. Fujitsu warns of electric shock and sets a waiting time after power-off before electrical components are touched: 5 minutes in the service manual, 10 minutes in the KPAS installation manual KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 02-1; KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-2.

Notes for different models

  • The other K-series service manuals have their own sections for 97 KNAS Service Manual SR_AS159ES_02, pp. 03-54–03-55; KMAS Service Manual SR_AS134ES_03, p. 03-51; KZAS Service Manual SR_AS137ES_03, pp. 03-57–03-58; KTAS Service Manual SR_AS147ES_04, pp. 03-56–03-57; ASLH Service Manual SR_AS143ES_03, p. 03-45, and so do the L-series ones LZBS Service Manual SR_AS048EF_02, p. 03-34; LZAS Service Manual SR_AS024EF_09, p. 03-34; LMAS Service Manual SR_AS058EF_04, p. 03-22; LPAS Service Manual SR_AS050EF_03, p. 03-24. KNAS covers 97 and 98 together as “Outdoor unit fan motor error” KNAS Service Manual SR_AS159ES_02, pp. 03-3, 03-54.
  • The RLS3-era service instructions print the same 100 rpm and 20-second rule RLS3 Service Instructions, p. 02-22; RLS3Y Service Instruction, p. 02-27; RLB Service Instructions, p. 02-21; RLS2 Service Instructions, p. 02-22; RLFW1 Service Instruction, p. 02-20. The RLS3Y installation manual calls the code “Outdoor unit fan motor 1 error” RLS3Y Installation Manual, p. En-12.

Related Fujitsu codes

  • 94 “Over current error (Outdoor unit)”
  • A1 “Discharge temperature error (Outdoor unit)”

See also

Other ductless mini-splits: Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, MrCool

All Fujitsu codes

Fujitsu is a trademark of its owner. How House Works is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fujitsu.

Sources

  1. GENERAL Inc.. KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09. Document code SR_AS142ES_09, page stamp 2026.06.18; covers ASUH09–36KPAS/KPBS and AOUH09–36KPAS1. The 2026 revision. It adds code 45, which the earlier revision SR_AS142ES_04 does not list.. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  2. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). KPAS Installation Manual. PART No. 9387603408-01; KP series; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  3. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). KPAS Operation Manual. PART No. 9387602548-01; KP series; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  4. Fujitsu General Limited. KNAS Service Manual SR_AS159ES_02. Document code SR_AS159ES_02, page stamp 2025.10.08; covers ASUH09–24KNAS and AOUH09–24KNAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  5. Fujitsu General Limited. KMAS Service Manual SR_AS134ES_03. Document code SR_AS134ES_03, page stamp 2024.11.11; covers ASUH09/12KMAS and AOUH09/12KMAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  6. Fujitsu General Limited. KZAS Service Manual SR_AS137ES_03. Document code SR_AS137ES_03, page stamp 2025.01.09; covers ASUH09–24KZAS and AOUH09–24KZAH1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  7. Fujitsu General Limited. KTAS Service Manual SR_AS147ES_04. Document code SR_AS147ES_04, page stamp 2025.07.30; titled Service Manual for Cold Climate Region; covers ASUH09/12/15KTAS and KTAB with AOUH09/12/15KTAP1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  8. Fujitsu General Limited. ASLH Service Manual SR_AS143ES_03. Document code SR_AS143ES_03, page stamp 2024.11.11; covers ASLH09/12KNAS and AOLH09/12KNAS1, 115 V. Its code table prints blink counts only, with no wired remote controller code column.. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  9. Fujitsu General Limited. LZBS Service Manual SR_AS048EF_02. Document code SR_AS048EF_02, page stamp 2022.10.14; covers ASUG09–15LZBS and AOUG09–15LZAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  10. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). LZBS Installation Manual. PART No. 9387603187; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  11. Fujitsu General Limited. LZAS Service Manual SR_AS024EF_09. Document code SR_AS024EF_09, page stamp 2022.10.12; covers ASUG09–15LZAS and AOUG09–15LZAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  12. Fujitsu General Limited. LMAS Service Manual SR_AS058EF_04. Document code SR_AS058EF_04, page stamp 2022.10.05; covers ASUH09/12LMAS and AOUH09/12LMAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  13. Fujitsu General Limited. LPAS Service Manual SR_AS050EF_03. Document code SR_AS050EF_03, page stamp 2022.10.18; covers ASUH09/12LPAS and AOUH09/12LPAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  14. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Service Instructions. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12/15RLS3 and AOU9/12/15RLS3. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  15. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Installation Manual. PART No. 9320456016; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  16. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Operation Manual. PART No. 9320455026; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  17. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3Y Service Instruction. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12/15RLS3Y and AOU9/12/15RLS3. The cover is stamped “TENTATIVE”.. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  18. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3Y Installation Manual. PART No. 9320456030; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  19. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLB Service Instructions. No document code or date printed; covers ASU18/24RLB and AOU18/24RLB. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  20. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS2 Service Instructions. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12/15RLS2 and AOU9/12/15RLS2. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  21. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLFW1 Service Instruction. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12RLF1 and AOU9/12RLFW1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.