Fix A Split AC Compressor That Won’t Turn On
Is the AC compressor not turning on? If your AC unit has stopped cooling and you can’t figure out why it could be the AC compressor. Learn how to fix this problem yourself by following these easy steps.
I did not know how to get out of this problem in the beginning, but after trying many times and consulting with customer support, they guided me on what to do and I solved the issue on my own.
Check The Fuse
It is always recommended that you check the fuse before any other steps. When an air conditioner doesn’t turn on, the first thing to do is inspect the main breaker at your service panel and make sure it hasn’t tripped.
The next step would be to inspect your outdoor unit. After that find, if there are any obvious signs of a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. These two areas need to be checked before proceeding with the next step.
Once you have looked over these areas, please make sure that your thermostat is set at either cooling mode or on. This can prevent further damage to your system because you may have forgotten that it had been on cooling mode or turned off completely when performing this check.
Verify The Power Cord Connection
First off, it’s important to check if the power cord is plugged in. If you’re using an extension cord, make sure it’s plugged into an outlet and not just lying on the ground. Make sure that there are no dead spots in your home where the plug falls out of its socket.
Then, check for power! Once you’ve done this (with a circuit tester), check for voltage at the wall socket by putting one lead of your meter onto each prong on the plug and testing with the other lead on each wire going into the wall.
This will show you if there is any electricity running through those wires. If there is not, your problem might be because of faulty wiring in your breaker box or an overloaded circuit breaker or fuse.
Clean The Condenser Coil And Blower Wheel
If your air conditioner compressor is still not working, then the problem may be due to some very simple fixes. The best way for you to start is by checking your condenser coil and blower wheel for dirt.
Both can accumulate dirt which can impede their function. When the condenser coil becomes blocked, it will prevent the refrigerant from releasing heat properly into the home and the blower wheel can also become blocked with dust or debris which will affect the airflow inside of your air conditioning unit. Cleaning these parts should get them working again!
Replace The Relay and Overload Protector
When the capacitor is bad, it will typically make one of two clicking noises, but sometimes may make no noise at all. Check when the overload protector is bad, the compressor will run until it overheats and shuts off.
When these parts are okay, most split-air conditioners will automatically restart after about three minutes of being off. It happens due to a power outage or even just turning the thermostat down for cooling. If any of these parts are broken or missing from your unit, you’ll need to replace them in order for your system to function properly again.
The overload protector can be replaced with new wire connections and screws from your local hardware store without dismantling the entire unit – just unhooking wires and screwing in new ones should do the trick!
Reset Breaker Or Replace Circuit Board
The first thing you want to do is try resetting the breaker. The reason for this is that there could be an electrical malfunction that’s keeping your compressor from turning on.
If the breaker is reset and it still doesn’t turn on, then you might need to replace the circuit board. This can be done by tracing power from the plug, going through the manual disconnect switch, and following those wires back until they reach a black box containing multiple circuits (on older model units).
Test Capacitor For Leakage
It’s often possible for homeowners to repair the split capacitor themselves, saving a hefty service call fee. The first step is to locate the split capacitor on your home’s outdoor condenser unit.
Once you’ve found it, check for any signs of leaking coolant or oil – if there are any signs of leaks, turn off your home’s power and have the compressor replaced immediately. Once you’re sure that there are no leaks, look at the cap.
If it’s green or tan, you will need replacement cooling liquid and must replace the compressor instead. If your cap is gray in color, proceed with replacing just the capacitor since this indicates that all else may be functioning as normal.
Check Circuit Board For Failed Components
With circuit boards, it’s important to check for blown fuses and broken soldering points. Be sure to turn the power off before removing any screws or jumpers!
Once you’ve identified the faulty component, you can order a replacement from the manufacturer. Just be sure that you know your appliance model number so that you purchase the correct replacement.
The split AC compressor not working but the fan is running
Sometimes the problem with your split ac is the capacitor. When the compressor comes on and it’s not cooling, this may be your issue. Your capacitor should kick in within 15-30 seconds of turning on the unit but if it doesn’t, you need to test this before anything else.
The way you do this is by disconnecting one of the wires at the capacitor. When you turn on your unit, if that wire starts to buzz or make noise that means there’s power going through.
AC compressor not turning on capacitor
The AC capacitor, also known as the condenser, is one of the most important components of an air conditioner. The compressor forces hot air out of the building and moves cold air into it. When this does not happen, the temperature inside can continue to rise. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix your split-AC compressor.
First, check that you have power at the unit. If it turns on with no issues but cannot cool off, then inspect the thermostat for any obvious damage like water spills or blown fuses.
FAQ’s
What would cause the AC compressor not to kick on?
There are many potential causes for the A/C compressor not kicking on, which may be why you’re reading this.
It could be due to mechanical problems with the system. So it’s worth checking out if you have any of these issues. A bad or loose connection between the indoor and outdoor units. A broken refrigerant line -faulty breaker for the unit.
Assuming that none of these are the case, your problem is likely caused by an electrical problem. It could be as simple as just pulling out a plug too far or someone flipping off a circuit breaker without realizing what they were doing. Either way, you’ll want to get in touch with an electrician ASAP. He can help fix your wiring before anything worse happens.
Where is the reset button on the AC compressor?
Air conditioners have built-in safety protections against overload. So when the compressor isn’t turning on it may be caused by an issue that has nothing to do with the compressor.
It’s still possible that the compressor is just going bad, but before assuming that it’s not easy to check for issues like faulty switches and loose connections. Here are some things you can check if your AC won’t turn on:
Check for dirty or corroded terminals by connecting another wire or two to them (either terminal connected in parallel with ones already being used, or other pairs of terminals). A good connection will result in a spark when they are touched together while attaching and while removing.
Also read: Fix A Split AC Compressor That’s Not Working But The Fan Is Running
Conclusion
In order to solve A Split AC Compressor That Won’t Turn On, first, be sure that your thermostat and the electrical breaker are turned on. Then, check that the thermostat has power. Next, make sure that you have enough Freon in your system. Finally, ensure that the compressor motor is receiving enough electricity from your breaker panel by following this step:
Open the breaker box and observe if all breakers are On and if any switches for circuit breakers labeled R, C, or L are flipped off or in a position where it is not grounded.
