a/c compressor won't kick in

tamara4 · #1 Jul 18, 2006, 10:02 AM

I have a window a/c unit with a compressor that won't kick in. I took the unit apart and noticed the control wire on the compressor looked burnt and corroded. I took the wire off and and put a new connector on, but still no go. I noticed however when I left the control wire disconnected I could hear the thermostat kick in and then there was power in the control wire and when I would touch it to the compressor the compressor came on and once it reached temperature it would shut off on its own. But if I leave the wire connected to the compressor and then turn the unit on, the thermostat never kicks on and of course neither does the compressor. Does this mean my compressor needs to be replaced? Any infor sure would be helpful. Thanks.

shunned · Jul 18, 2006, 05:51 PM

Sounds like an overload disc is bad.

tamara4 · Jul 18, 2006, 09:01 PM

Thanks for replying. I replaced the overload protector that the control wire connects to before you actually connect to the compressor, but still the compressor doesn't kick in. I don't know if that is what you mean by an overload disc or not.

shunned · Jul 19, 2006, 05:23 PM

Yes The little disc which sits in the connector area of the compressor. If you've replaced that, and the compressor does not come on, then are you getting any amp reading from the line? If not, you may have a bad start capacitor, or the thermostat is not sending a signal to the compressor. Is your thermostat "clicking"?
If you are getting an amp reading and it's higher than your LRA, your compressor is locked up.

tamara4 · Jul 20, 2006, 08:46 AM

After replacing that part I still didn't hear the thermostat kick in. But when I disconnected the black control wire from the disc and let it hang loose and then turn the unit on I could hear the thermostat click and when I touched the wire to the disc the compressor kicked on. For some reason, though, the thermostat won't click on if I leave everything connected and then turn the unit on. I don't have anything to measure amps and volts and what not, I am kinda thinking there is something wrong with the compressor itself. So I might just break down and take it in to the shop.



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