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AC Condensing Unit Fan Running w/o Compressor
Posted on 5/28/21 at 4:36 pm
Posted on 5/28/21 at 4:36 pm
H/G Board gurus-
My split AC condensing unit is 2 years old and this afternoon I noticed it running loud. A few minutes later it was quiet again, but only because the compressor stopped running.
The fan on the CU runs, but the compressor won’t kick on. The CU is clean and relatively new so I doubt the compressor has gone bad. Is this a capacitor issue? I thought the capacitor only started the fan, but clearly I may be wrong.
Of course this happens on a Friday afternoon. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
My split AC condensing unit is 2 years old and this afternoon I noticed it running loud. A few minutes later it was quiet again, but only because the compressor stopped running.
The fan on the CU runs, but the compressor won’t kick on. The CU is clean and relatively new so I doubt the compressor has gone bad. Is this a capacitor issue? I thought the capacitor only started the fan, but clearly I may be wrong.
Of course this happens on a Friday afternoon. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
This post was edited on 5/28/21 at 4:37 pm
Posted on 5/28/21 at 5:00 pm to TigerPETE14
Both the fan and compressor typically have a start winding, which is where the starting capacitor comes in.
Could be:
- bad starting capacitor on compressor motor
- high discharge pressure cutoff switch
- low suction pressure cutoff switch
- bad terminal connection at the compressor
If you're very handy and have the right tools you can troubleshoot and maybe fix. Otherwise bend over, lube up and call an a/c tech.
Could be:
- bad starting capacitor on compressor motor
- high discharge pressure cutoff switch
- low suction pressure cutoff switch
- bad terminal connection at the compressor
If you're very handy and have the right tools you can troubleshoot and maybe fix. Otherwise bend over, lube up and call an a/c tech.
Posted on 5/28/21 at 5:00 pm to TigerPETE14
check capacitor to see if its swollen or any burnt wires to it or the contactor switch
if its low on freon it can get noisy and overheat causing it to shut off from internal temp switch so only the fan runs
if its low on freon it can get noisy and overheat causing it to shut off from internal temp switch so only the fan runs
Posted on 5/28/21 at 5:23 pm to TigerPETE14
Some units have separate capacitors for fan and compressor. Some have a 2-in-1 capacitor for both. De-energize, open it up, find which capacitor is connected to the compressor, remove (be careful, may contain a charge), and test with a multi-meter (DuckDuckGo it).
Posted on 5/28/21 at 6:05 pm to TigerPETE14
As others have stated high probability it’s the capacitor - hope for that, cheapest and quickest HVAC repair if you have to call a tech out and can’t DYI it.
I’d see about replacing the capacitor, even if not now b/c you want it fixed ASAP, with a good American made capacitor from AmRad, Jard, or Mars. If it failed after 2 years, I bet dollars to donuts it has a Chinese capacitor - assuming that’s the issue.
I’d see about replacing the capacitor, even if not now b/c you want it fixed ASAP, with a good American made capacitor from AmRad, Jard, or Mars. If it failed after 2 years, I bet dollars to donuts it has a Chinese capacitor - assuming that’s the issue.
Posted on 5/28/21 at 6:15 pm to CrawDude
quote:
As others have stated high probability it’s the capacitor -
And as has been stated numerous times on this forum, have a spare capacitor. Go get one now if you do not.
Posted on 5/28/21 at 7:04 pm to TigerPETE14
Is this a split unit or central AC?
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