Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    caji316's Avatar
    caji316 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 26, 2010, 03:19 PM
    Central Air compressor and fan want come on?
    Today I tried to cut on my central air and the fan inside came on and just blows regular air. I went outside and neither the compressor nor the fan was on. I took the casing off the unit, after cutting it off, and then cut it back on and the contactor does "pull in" the contacts but nothing else happens. I then checked the starter capacitor, round one with 3 wires, (as I have 2 , 1 for the fan and 1 starter for the compressor). The big round starter capacitor "did not" have a charge on it. Shouldn't it have had a charge on it? I just replaced the contractor 10 months ago and it still looks good and clean and no pitting. Does anyone think it may be this starter capacitor? Would this be a first choice over having to call a pro and have him check the freon level as the interlocks may be keeping both from starting. I had this unit serviced last year and freon was fine. Any help will be greatly appreciated as I am on VA disability and don't have much money. Sorry I loaned my test meter out and can't tell if I have 240 volts on both side of contactor but with it pulling in I would guess it would be O.K. Thanks for any help...
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
    Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
    		  
    #2

    May 26, 2010, 04:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by caji316 View Post
    Today I tried to cut on my central air and the fan inside came on and just blows regular air. I went outside and neither the compressor nor the fan was on. i took the casing off the unit, after cutting it off, and then cut it back on and the contactor does "pull in" the contacts but nothing else happens. I then checked the starter capacitor, round one with 3 wires, (as I have 2 , 1 for the fan and 1 starter for the compressor). The big round starter capacitor "did not" have a charge on it. Shouldn't it have had a charge on it? I just replaced the contractor 10 months ago and it still looks good and clean and no pitting. Does anyone think it may be this starter capacitor? Would this be a first choice over having to call a pro and have him check the freon level as the interlocks may be keeping both from starting. I had this unit serviced last year and freon was fine. Any help will be greatly appreciated as I am on VA disability and don't have much money. Sorry I loaned my test meter out and can't tell if I have 240 volts on both side of contactor but with it pulling in I would guess it would be O.K. Thanks for any help....

    Get your tester back since you need to make sure you have voltage first!
    Joshdta's Avatar
    Joshdta Posts: 2,549, Reputation: 45
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    May 26, 2010, 06:44 PM

    Go check your breaker, if you have 2 capacitors I don't think both would be bad, the fan or the compressor 1 should run. Inless you have had a fan cycling device installed for cold weather operation then if the compressor did not start neither would the fan.
    caji316's Avatar
    caji316 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    May 27, 2010, 05:55 AM

    I went and got my tester and like you said, no power to unit. I think maybe either someone turned my cut-off up-side down to disable it. But after cleaning the compressor cap. Terminals and turning the disconnect back the right way all is well. I might myself had put the disconnect back in upside down to be safe while I was working on the unit, I don't really know now. But anyway, it is back working and my very few dollars are still in my pocket thanks to you. Thanks again, get place to get answers.

    P/S... I also thought 1 or the other would run, the compressor or the fan if just 1 of the caps. Was bad. I am not an electrician but did go to school for electronics.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Central air cond air handler doesn't come on but compressor does. [ 98 Answers ]

If I don't turn the central air on in the morning, when the attic is cooler, the air handler won't come on but the compressor outside fires up. At night when the attic cools down, the air handler will work. I have replaced the T-Stat but that didn't help. Today, I put the fan on first, and it...

Central Air Compressor Wiring [ 4 Answers ]

My Compressor Quit Working A Few Months Back. The A/c/ Repair Guy Stripped The Burnt Wire On The Compressor And Added A New Wire It Worked Ok. I Called Another Company For My Yearly Service He Said The Wire Was Burn . He Pulled All Of The Wires Lose And Left. The Unit Is A Bryant That Says 1982...

Amana air conditioning compressor fan runs but compressor does not [ 9 Answers ]

I have an Amana Model RCE30A2B Compressor unit installed it is about 6 years old, the compressor will not cut in when demanded yet the cooling fan for the unit does

Central air compressor noise [ 3 Answers ]

When my central air compressor kicks on it makes a loud vibrating noise that can be heard and felt in my second floor bedroom.After it kicks in it works and sounds fine .What could be causeing this loud vibrating sound

Compressor on central air conditioner [ 6 Answers ]

The compressor on my central air conditioner tries to come on but won't. I hear it trying to come on. The unit is attached to a "Beat The Peak" system. Could that be causing the unit to not come on?

View more questions Search