I have a 2.5 ton Carrier AC that runs fine until it cycles off. If I turn it off from the thermostat and leave it off for a couple of minutes it will come back on. The air handler works fine, it is the outside untit that will not come back on. I have had a repair man come out and he changed the thermostat and checked everything else and said all was OK. (NOT) They will be glade to come again for more money. I changed the contacter assy out. The 24V reads good. Any suggestions would be great. I plane on changing this unit out within the next year. Its 13 yrs old. Average price for a 3 ton unit (air handler and heat pump) How much? Thanks

Price for new equipment is different from area to area in the USA. Call for local estimates.

A compressor lock out/time delay control can cause the symptoms you are having. Newer style thermostats can also be programed to have a time delay.

They lock out or time delay usually 5 minutes but could be a bit shorter or longer when the unit turns off for any reason. This is a way to prevent the outside unit from short cycling if someone is playing with the thermostat or a call for cooling is to soon after shut down. I is a safety device designed to make the outside unit compressor last longer.

Its not coming back on unless u turn the system off. I understand the time delay. Thanks for you response.