I have to ask a very common question that baffles me. I have fixed this problem before with new Capacitor and new fan motor but this time it did not fix the problem.

I went to bed at 3:30am and AC was working by 5:30am when wife woke up it was not working. So when I opened up the side panel I seen a sticky brown substance from the capacitor under and around it. So I thought I will replace that first and see what happens. Well I did that I got humming still. So I'm like great I'll do the fan motor now and that will fix it up. Well maybe not?

1) I got a new Capacitor and fan motor and got all switched out and crossed fingers and got the same (not real load) humming noise I got prior to switching out today.
2) I checked the fuse breaker, it was all good and had the quick connect in right after pulling it for the install.

Any other ideas? :)

Thanks for any help

I forgot to mention equipment.

Don't laugh please.
Armstrong - 5 ton 12 seer - appx 14 years old

Fan motor - A.O. Smith 1/4hp FSE1026SV1 - Brand new today

Capacitor - 80 + 5 MFD 370 VAC - Brand new today
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Fan motor wires go to Yellow (Yellow) to contactor
Brown (Brown) to Capacitor
(Black) to Contactor
Brown (Brown) and white taped up in electrical tape and not used.
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Capacitor wires go to Brown (Brown) to Capacitor
Red (Red) from Cap to Contactor
Big or thicker yellow (Yellow) one to Compressor

Ok, so you checked all breakers and disconnect. Next you will need a voltage meter. Check for 240 volts on both sides of contacter. Let me know what you find and we will take it from there.

I was just told my Compressor was bad. Est $1500 for new compressor or $2000 for new (Comfort-Aire) for only outdoor unit only not heat pump.. Great :(

Any good?

Is Comfort Aire Any good?

Or

Goodman?

What is the difference in a Goodman Furnace Model GPM and a GPME

Goodman gives I believe a 10 year warranty on the compressor compare to a 5 year

Do you have a heat pump already? I would go goodman over comfort aire. Also if they are a goodman dealer you can upgrade the warranty to ten year parts and labor. Its usually about $500 more.