First off... here's the info on the unit:

- BDP Company
- make: Payne
- model #: 569BJ036
- product #: 569BJX036036000AAAA
- with an electric furnace
- outdoor
- 208-230 volt
- 5lb 13oz refrigerant

The outside Payne air conditioning unit stopped working in the middle of the night 2 days ago. I've checked the circuit breaker, and the on/off switch outside next to the unit - both were on, I also turned each off and then on again, which didn't work. The electric furnace fan turns on when I set the LUX wall thermostat to "cool" and the fan to "auto" which blows air around in the house - but the outside air conditioning unit doesn't turn on.

Do you have any suggestions? I called a local servicing company and they said it would cost $95.00 just to come out and take a look at the unit. That sounds reasonable, but perhaps there's something I can do first before scheduling that appointment.

Thanks in advance!
Ben

I would have someone turn the breaker off then back on with you standing outside.

1. does the condenser fan turn on?
2. does the compressor attempt to kick on... do you hear a humming noise when the breaker is turned on?

Start there...

Then if the condenser fan does not turn on... with the power off try to turn the condenser fan by hand... does it move? If not it is pooched...

Do you have a volt meter? May be a bad capasitor.

http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/377701/1688670/0/1132835703/AC_Capacitor.jpg

It is in the electric pannel on the outside unit check to see if there is a burnt wire, or the top is swollen.

Its not a bad price for a service call. Do you think you may have cut the low voltage wire(thermostat wire) with a weed-eater working around the unit? If you know about electricity you can manually close the contactor to see if you have line voltage going to the A/C. If the unit runs after closing the contactor it's a low voltage problem. The payne system has no low pressure or time delays installed.

Why don't my condenser fan turn on?