Our home air conditioner works fine most of the time. However, sometimes when the ac should be clicking on, the blower outside of the house turns on, but the compressor never comes on (i.e. no air at all in the house). The blower outside will run for hours if we let it, with no air (cold or otherwise) inside the house. If we turn off the ac completely for 30-40 minutes, then turn it back on, the blower and compressor both come on fine. This problem only happens intermittently - at other times the entire system works fine. It seems like a minor "switch/relay" type of problem, but the ac repair man said our entire system was horrible, terrible, and should be completely replaced immediately at a cost of over $6000. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be the problem? Thank you.
2006-10-05 02:55:01 · 13 answers · asked by SCJ 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
YOU NEED AN "OLD TIMEY" A/C MAN THAT DOES STUFF LIKE REWIND MOTORS, ETC... IT IS PROBABLY A RELAY OR CAPACITOR. UNFORTUNATELY MOST NEW REPAIRMEN ARE PARTS CHANGERS. SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE AN OLDER SYSTEM.
2006-10-05 03:03:05 · answer #1 · answered by Bonno 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the reason the compressor isn't running is because it is over heating. all compressors have an internal temperature activated "mercy" switch. there are not serviceable. if the capacitor was bad as some have suggested the compressor would not run at all.
the high temp switch will kick off if the head pressure is too high due to a dirty condenser coil, an overcharged state, or a restriction in a thermal expansion valve or an expansion orifice. Since you indicated that the unit works fine when it does work I would conclude that the condenser coil (outside part) is dirty.
no big deal. find the disconnect for the condenser and pull it, or turn the power off at the breaker box. Get some dish soap and mix it with water (like a cup of soap to a quart of water) and squirt it on the top of the condenser coil from the outside. take a garden hose WITH OUT a nozzle and wash the condenser fins out GENTLY you have to hit the fins strait on, not at an angle or you will bend them. look inside from the top and watch the water as it runs through it should be clear and clean. don't just wet the unit down, wash it good, it should take 30 min to an hour to do a good job.
hope this helps,
Possum
2006-10-05 16:15:18 · answer #2 · answered by hillbilly named Possum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds more like a blower inside the house. Try the heater and see if you can ever get air moving that way. If the heater still doesn't push air, then you would know more.
What the repair guy might be thinking is that if you were to fix one thing, the next thing might break, and you'll be chasing problems left and right, spending tons of money and inconvenience. Or he might just be trying to get you for everything you have. Get more quotes from other repair people.
2006-10-05 02:59:47 · answer #3 · answered by terrylondon00 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like an electrical problem to me. Short in blower motor. Bad capacitor. Could also have something to do in the thermostat. It controls the blower motor. There may be a bad contact. The a/c guy is in the business to make money. If he can get you to buy a new unit,,,,money in his pocket. I would get at least two more opinions.
2006-10-05 03:10:11 · answer #4 · answered by bugear001 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First check to see if your copper lines are freezing if you have ice on the lines when the compressor should be working then you most likly have air restriction do to a dirty evaporator or condensor coil. You probably just need a clean and check done on your system.
2006-10-06 03:51:42 · answer #5 · answered by thealternativemind 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
turn off the power outside at the disconnect remove the door to the unit [usually around where the two copper lines come in the unit] there is a 240 volt contacterwith the power off push in the center off the contacterit should move in and out spray the cont actor with wd 40 .reinstall the door and turn the power back on.you should be all right
2006-10-05 05:28:11 · answer #6 · answered by ata31254 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a second opinion. Sounds like this "AC repairman" is trying to hose you. The blower switch maybe bad.
2006-10-05 18:56:50 · answer #7 · answered by ric_ozz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your home air conditioning unit needs to be repaired by a professional HVAC technician. As, they can better suggest you to repair or replace the air conditioning unit. For finding a good HVAC service provider you can take suggestions of your family or friends. You can also go for online reviews.
2014-06-20 02:05:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the capacitor for the compressor is bad. You need to have a serviceman check it. You may be able to have a start assist installed.
2006-10-05 13:26:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
thermostat is set for 78 but air never gets cooler than 84, I am in Las Vegas
2016-06-01 22:07:48 · answer #10 · answered by Connie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe the blower motor is bad. that is the motor that moves the air through the ducts of your home. It is located in the house.
2006-10-05 03:02:44 · answer #11 · answered by Bistro 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋