My compressor has completely stopped. I can here it surge like it wants to, but nothing happens. I am inside the house when I here this. The unit in the house works, just not the compressor outside. It is new, as this is a new residence, not even a year old. It is 100 degrees here today in Austin, TX!

1 Check your warranty. Extended warranties are good deals for the non handy.

2 3 phase motors do that if one fuse is blown, but 3 phase residential units are rare. The fuse box will have 3 fuses.

3 Likely it is a capacitor start motor, and I think they may do what you are saying if the capacitor is bad. They are a little hard to check. Disconnect the power. Code calls for a box in sight of the unit. Open up the unit and follow the wires from the motor to a small round or oval thing. Take a plastic handled screwdriver and short the terminals. Capacitors store electricity, and can discharge instantly. Connect an ohm meter* across the terminals and watch it carefully. It should show a low resistance, but quickly build up to off the top of the scale. If not, remove it and take it along with the model and serial number to an electrical supply house. Doubt the home centers have stuff like that. They may even verify that it is bad if you ask. Take the new one home and connect it following the sketch you made of the connections.

*A $5 one from Wal-Mart will do.

Thanks, it was the capacitor. Unfortunately, they did not come out to fix it to this morning. You were right on. I appreciate it!