Need some advice from you HVAC guys

[Skinhead]

My AC just quit, checked fuses and circuit breakers, OK.  Compressor hums but doesn't start. Could the starter be bad or is the compressor seized up?  Any trouble shooting advice would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

I rode the valk to walmart and they had some 40 cal ammo, bought 3 boxes.  So now it's valk and gun related.

[Robert]

If the compressor is humming then its more than likely trying to work did you feel the lines into and out of the compressor or the air handler was there a difference in temps. because there should be. If you run the a/c for a few minutes does the air handler want to ice up? If so it may be low on freon.  How old is the unit, Does the outside fan come on and cool the condenser?

[Sharkey]

Do you have a Amprobe? If so what kind of current is on the lines to the compressor? I could be the start capicator or compressor. Its hard to say without testing.

[Skinhead]

Didn't feel the lines, the war department said the house has been hot all day.  When i got back from the store she had shut it off and opened the windows.  I turned it back on and the compressor wasn't running and the fan wasn't turning, though I could turn it by hand, that's when I checked fuses and breakers.  No Ice anywhere.  Unit is ~10 - 12 years old.

[Skinhead]

Do you have a Amprobe? If so what kind of current is on the lines to the compressor? I could be the start capicator or compressor. Its hard to say without testing.

I don't have one here, but can borrow one from work tomorrow.

[Robert]

It may be the capacitor in the outside unit especially if the fan and the compressor wasn't on. The other possibility is the relay also in the outside unit should be located inside close to the compressor. You know like the relays on the Valk now its Valk related. Also make sure you can turn on the fan in the air handler to make sure that the inside controller for the temp somehow didn't go bad, or that the power is off to the air handler too. PLEASE BE CAREFUL 220 volts and high amps don't make this a very user friendly experience we dont want to have to see a Valk up for sale.

[Skinhead]

The fan in the air handler (furnace blower) comes on.  I'll check the relay and capacitor tomorrow when I have some daylight (220 V and all) after pulling the fuses.  It'll just be ceiling fans for now I guess.  Thanks for the help.

[laserpat]

The contactor switches the low voltage from the thermostat to start the compressor. . On most you can engage manually and start the compressor as a test. BE CAREFUL. If the compressor starts, check  the 24v transformer for output (usually in the furnace) also the start Capacitor has a blow out hole you can inspect for leakage.

[Daniel Meyer]

You got fire ants in the area? Maybe ants in your contactor outside.

[FLAVALK]

You got fire ants in the area? Maybe ants in your contactor outside.

Found a frog in my contacts once. He didn't look too good 

[Chillerman]

I know you said you checked the fuses, but did you pull them out and ohm them?  Sometimes you can backfeed through the other two legs and it will show a fuse is good when it's not.  With only two legs of power the compressor will hum like you describe.

[Jack]

Hard to say without actually looking but due to the compressor humming and the fan and compressor not running, it sounds like a capacitor.  The capacitor has 3 pins and will be marked fan, C, and herm.  If it is leaking or swollen, it is likely bad.  Capacitors tend to go bad when you really need them.  Take it to a local HVAC supply house and have it matched up.  Prices vary.  If that isn't it, you may as well call a tech unless you have a good HVAC meter and are really good at trouble shooting electronics.  You may also want to invest in a Kickstart/Hardstart.  The supply house can show you what it is and how it hooks up.

A really good link for homeowners: http://www.arnoldservice.com/troubleshooting_air_conditioning_problems.htm

[Skinhead]

I know you said you checked the fuses, but did you pull them out and ohm them?  Sometimes you can backfeed through the other two legs and it will show a fuse is good when it's not.  With only two legs of power the compressor will hum like you describe.

I pulled them, Thanks.

[Skinhead]

You got fire ants in the area? Maybe ants in your contactor outside.

Found a frog in my contacts once. He didn't look too good 

No fire ants, but I do find toads near the condensor almost everytime I cut the grass, I'll check the contacts.  Are toad legs anything like frog legs?

[sandy]

If the compressor and outdoor fan don't come on; it's probably a bad fuse or a loose connection on one leg. Once I found a
bad 2 pole breaker was only supplying 110 V. I doubt it's a cap because each motor has one. Not likely both caps went out together. Check voltage going into the unit after the breaker and at the input to the fan and compressor.

[Jack]

If the compressor and outdoor fan don't come on; it's probably a bad fuse or a loose connection on one leg. Once I found a
bad 2 pole breaker was only supplying 110 V. I doubt it's a cap because each motor has one. Not likely both caps went out together. Check voltage going into the unit after the breaker and at the input to the fan and compressor.

Sandy, many capacitors on HVAC systems are dual capacitors which run both A/C compressor and the condensor fan.

[Skinhead]

Well guys I got home and looked at things In the daylight and found the capacitor bulged at the top.  All the supply places are closed already so tomorrow I was planning a half day vac to play golf, so it looks like I'll make it a whole days vac and fix the AC before I play golf.  I did wash the bike so I'll ride her to the parts store in the AM.

I really appreciate all the advice, you guys helped a lot.  BTW it was a dual capacitor and I couldn't see the bulge until I removed it from the unit.

On another note, The Woodward Dream Cruise is this weekend.  Anyone coming to Motown for the cruise?  Let me know, I'm only a couple miles from Woodward.  Supposed to be a sheIt load of old cars there.

[Daniel Meyer]

Cool! (heh...or it will be tomorrow)

[BonS]

Well guys I got home and looked at things In the daylight and found the capacitor bulged at the top. 

Expect to only find an approximation of the capacitors that you have in your condenser. Will likely be taller, fatter etc. Get as close as possible and you'll be fine.

[Jack]

Well guys I got home and looked at things In the daylight and found the capacitor bulged at the top. 

Expect to only find an approximation of the capacitors that you have in your condenser. Will likely be taller, fatter etc. Get as close as possible and you'll be fine.

True, but take it with you to make sure you get the right one.  Physical size doesn't matter as much as getting the correct microfareds and voltage.  If you can't read the size, then make note of the type and size compressor and fan motor or the model of the a/c unit.  It should not be hard for them to look it up if necessary.  If they don't have a proper dual capacitor, you can wire in 2 capacitors to do each job. 

[Skinhead]

The AC is cooling as we speak.  $16 for the part.  Having peace and quit due to the war dept. not bitching about the house being too hot......

PRICELESS!

Thanks again for all the advice.

[N0tac0p]

could simply be low on refrigerant.  doyou have a gauge to check, if not advance aut and wallyworld sell kits that has gas and gauge

[Jack]

 

[BF]

I've seen ALOT of capacitors going bad this year.  Usually from power spikes.

[Jabba]

Start thinking about upgrading soon.

start saving those nickels so you can when it's time.

There is some VERY cool (NPI) tech out there now that'll save you dough over the life of the machine.

Jabba

[Skinhead]

I've seen ALOT of capacitors going bad this year.  Usually from power spikes.

Funny you should mention that, this quit after two days of SEVERE thunder storms.  Could have had something to do with my failure.