Hello,

My outside Condenser is not kicking on. Air Handler and thermostat OK indoors. I checked the Contactor and it looks extremely dirty and pitted although not fused together. If I hold down contacts manually, Condenser / fan etc. starts and is blowing cold air. Once I release
Unit stops and will not kick on by itself. I puchased a new Contactor and it will be here is 2 days.

Question: Is this most likely the problem of why Condenser won't kick on? Unit is from 1999 AND NO PARTS EVER REPLACED.

The Contactor looks burn't and contacts uneven although it does work freely and is not welded shut.

My Air C. guy wants up to 200.00 so I'm attempting a do-it-yourself on this one.

THANKS

First time user... JEV in Central Florida

I would guess, based on the information you have provided, the contactor is not the problem. Did you have 24 vollts to the contactor control coil?

You need to check for 24 volts on the coil side of the contactor when it should be running. If no voltage present then you have another problem. If 24 volts is going to the contactor then the contactor is defective.