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    Melanie00's Avatar
    Melanie00 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 4, 2008, 05:16 PM
    A/C comes on for 3 seconds, shuts off & then starts up again
    I just moved into a new home and noticed that each time the A/C comes on it starts up for about 3 seconds, shuts off, then starts up again. This second start-up is when it stays on until the desired temperature is reached. I have a Honeywell SuperStat thermostat that is about four years old and the A/C unit is about 13 years old. Is this normal?
    MarkwithaK's Avatar
    MarkwithaK Posts: 955, Reputation: 107
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    #2

    Oct 4, 2008, 06:15 PM

    No this is not normal. We call it short-cycling and it can cause damage to the system.
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
    Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
    		  
    #3

    Oct 4, 2008, 07:36 PM
    Sounds like a defective or out of range low/high pressure control. As MarkwithaK said this can cause damage so have your unit serviced right away.
    MarkwithaK's Avatar
    MarkwithaK Posts: 955, Reputation: 107
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    #4

    Oct 5, 2008, 08:57 AM

    As hvac1000 said, get it inspected by a local service company. I highly doubt that you have a low pressure control as they are not that common on residential systems but it does happen.
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
    Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
    		  
    #5

    Oct 5, 2008, 11:22 AM
    A run capacitor can also cause this problem. Unit will start but not run. Check wiring to capacitor and compressor in outside unit.
    MarkwithaK's Avatar
    MarkwithaK Posts: 955, Reputation: 107
    Senior Member
    		  
    #6

    Oct 5, 2008, 11:28 AM

    With that old of a system it could also be a weak valve putting a larger load than normal on the system causing the internal overload to open. Could be a weak overload... just way to many options to diagnose without physically being there. Save yourself a ton of headache and call your service company.
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