It is a big deal when the air conditioning goes out on a hot summer day, but there is no need to wait for help to come to you.  Many air conditioning malfunctions are not difficult to identify and repair.  The following test procedure will help you identify if the problem with your outdoor unit is the fan motor, the capacitor, or the contactor.Troubleshooting the “outdoor air conditioner unit not running” starts with some easy commonsense steps:Section A; you can hear the a/c compressor running and the fan motor is not turning.Because the compressor is running you know there is 220 volts power to the outdoor unit and you know the contactor is doing its job of delivering that 220 volts to the compressor and to the motor.  The malfunction will be a bad capacitor and/or a bad motor. Capacitors can be tested with multi-meters that have the ability to read microfarads or you can take your capacitor (and your motor) to your nearest U-FIX-IT store for a free bench test.  If the capacitor tests good then your motor is bad.

Caution – Capacitors can store an electric charge (like a battery).  The shock hazard is non-lethal, but it is no fun.   Check the 220 volt power is off and discharge the capacitor by shorting between capacitor terminals (with insulated screwdriver) before removing the wires from the terminals.you cannot hear the a/c compressor running and the fan motor is not turning.  Your next troubleshooting step will be checking the 220 volt power because it is highly unlikely both the compressor and the fan motor would fail at the same time.  Failure of the contactor (see picture above) most often produces this symptom.  You can prove the contactor is the problem by using a multi-meter or you can take your contactor to your nearest U-FIX-IT store for a free bench test.Testing the contactor on air conditioner outdoor unitCaution: use care when measuring live voltages not to touch bare connections or short them to the cabinet or to other terminals with the meter probes.Part Request Part Number or Description*Email* More From Jim PlummerJim is an ex-Air Force pilot and a business school graduate of University of Texas at Austin.

He has been in the appliance parts business since 1975.How much does it cost for a capacitor to be installed in a home ac unit  offers a nice sizing chart for HVAC capacitors and furnace capacitors. ac unit measured tonsMost of the capacitors I've looked at are $5 to $15 dollars, so a little less than Home Depot and Lowes.ac unit vacuum Stay safe and hire a professional if you feel unsure about doing it yourself!air conditioning units in wallSometimes your air conditioner can appear to be running just fine, but still isn’t doing its job to cool your home. When this happens, there can be several possible causes that prevent your air conditioner from keeping you cool. We’ve listed a few below. Sometimes your air conditioner can appear to be running just fine, but still isn’t doing its job to cool your home.

Ductwork is one of the most important components of your overall HVAC system. It is responsible for delivering the heated or cooled air, produced by your air conditioner or furnace, throughout your home. When your ductwork is cracked, bent, or poorly designed, the heated or cooled air your HVAC unit works so hard to create, cannot keep you comfortable. A thorough inspection and sealing of your ductwork may be necessary to fix the problem. If you notice your AC is running, but not always cooling, you might want to check yourthermostat settings. Most thermostats have an “auto” and “on” setting for the blower, and when set a certain way, can make your air conditioner seem like it’s not working properly. When set to “auto” the blower goes off and on according to the set room temperature. In the “on” position, the blower will run continuously regardless of the room temperature. Often, the “on” position is used for homes with air cleaners and other filtration systems installed as part of their HVAC system.

Especially as your unit ages, it will leak small amounts of refrigerant every season if it is not charged on a regular basis. Sometimes, your unit can leak too much refrigerant to be effective at keeping you cool. In other instances, the refrigerant can come into contact with moisture and freeze, which causes blockages and prevent your unit from cooling properly. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to have your AC serviced on an annual basis. Sometimes a stalled condenser coil can cause your unit to not blow cool air. The condenser coil is the part of the unit responsible for producing the cold air. A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker can cause it to quit working while the fan will continue to run, providing the facade your AC is operating, as it should. A professional inspection if your AC will help to determine if this is the problem. When your AC isn’t keeping you comfortable, it’s best to contact a professional who can help you properly diagnose and repair the problem.

At Cool Today, our technicians are trained to fix your problem fast while saving your money. If you’re still having trouble, schedule service with us online today, or contact one of our experts to learn more about your air conditioning problems.Your home or business HVAC system is essential to your comfort and wellbeing. Unfortunately, most McKinney, TX, homeowners experience problems with their air conditioning units from time to time. If your air conditioner won’t turn on, there are a number of steps that you can take to identify and solve the problem. Remember that some HVAC problems must be handled by a professional to ensure your safety and the integrity of your cooling system. AC Won’t Turn On: Common Problems Most modern air conditioners are designed to offer up to 10 to 20 years of reliable use. However, even the most reliable of air conditioners may stop cooling or suffer from problems from time to time. Remember that one of the best ways to prevent unexpected A/C problems is to have regular maintenance performed on your unit.

If you cannot perform the maintenance yourself, hire a professional to do so. Spending money on maintenance now can save you from big repair bills in the future. Some of the most common AC problems are listed below, and they may even be the reason why your air conditioning unit won’t kick on. Review this information so that you know how to best troubleshoot problems with your unit. Be sure to determine whether your unit has shut down entirely or whether only a part of your unit has shut down or isn’t working. Remember that it is always necessary to cut power off to your unit before inspecting it for wiring-related problems. The AC unit does not cool rooms evenly: Inspect your unit’s distribution channels. Make sure that the fan on your unit is kicking air into rooms or into your duct system. The AC unit turns on but doesn’t cool: If your unit turns on but doesn’t cool, check your thermostat to be sure that it is set at the correct temperature. You should then check the condenser and evaporator for dirt and clogging.

If too much dirt builds up, your unit may not turn on at all. The condenser unit returns on and off repeatedly: Having a unit turn on and off repeatedly is extremely frustrating. In general, this problem is caused either by a dirty condenser and fan or a clogged condenser. The condenser unit won’t turn on: If your condenser unit won’t turn on at all, you may have a faulty motor or the unit may not be receiving power. Examine all wiring and ensure that the unit is plugged in. Common Causes of Air Conditioner Problems Common AC problems can be frustrating. However, there’s nothing more frustrating than when your air conditioner won’t turn on. Review the following common causes of serious AC problems. You will need to consult with a professional technician in order to address most of these problems. Wiring problems: Problems with the wiring in your unit or the wiring that runs from your unit to an outlet are one of the leading causes of air conditioner breakdowns.

It’s a good idea to check the breakers in your house’s power box and adjacent outlets to ensure that the problem lies with the air conditioner and not other electrical components. Icy buildup: If ice collects of your condenser coils or other portions of your unit, the AC may not turn on or may not cool air efficiently. The unit must be dethawed and all ice must be removed before it will operate properly. Faulty motors: In most cases, your A/C unit will shut down entirely if its motor is faulty. You will need to decide if your motor can be repaired or if it must be replaced. Faulty compressors: Problems with your compressor may cause your A/C unit to shut down. Keeping your compressor clean can help to prevent these problems. Dirty evaporators, filters or condenser: Dirt and buildup in an A/C system is one of the leading causes of breakdowns. Be sure to have your unit serviced on a regular basis to prevent these problems. If your unit has filters, they should be changed according to the manufacturer’s schedule.

Refrigerant shortages: If your A/C unit doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it may not turn on or may not operate correctly. You should always have a professional technician check refrigerant levels and change these fluids. Faulty thermostats: Be sure to eliminate the possibility that your unit won’t turn on because your thermostat is faulty. If you suspect that your thermostat is bad, try turning the A/C on from the main unit. If the unit will turn on manually, you are likely suffering from a thermostat problem. Resolving Air Conditioner Problems: Repair or Replace? How do you fix an AC unit that won’t start? If your air conditioner simply won’t turn on, you’ll need to decide if you should repair or replace the unit. Remember that units over 12 years old should generally be replaced with more efficient units. If the AC cuts on and off before your home is cool or your hvac unit won’t shut off, you may need a repair. However, you should carefully evaluate repair costs before making a final decision.