Outside half of A/C not turning on
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Outside half of A/C not turning on
After much reading I stumbled upon this thread during my process of troubleshooting and I'm in a similar situation....
-Outside condensing unit is non-operational- everything else seems functional
-My contactor relay is engaging
-I tested across the contactor and got 24volts
-When I check incoming and outgoing I get nothing????
FYI-just replaced dual capacitor, defrost board looks good, all wires and connections look good, no arc marks on relay
-Outside condensing unit is non-operational- everything else seems functional
-My contactor relay is engaging
-I tested across the contactor and got 24volts
-When I check incoming and outgoing I get nothing????
FYI-just replaced dual capacitor, defrost board looks good, all wires and connections look good, no arc marks on relay
#2
Independamber, if you're saying that you don't have 240VAC at either end of the contactor (measuring across the two terminals at either end), then you have an outside power issue. Check your outside quick disconnect. Some boxes have a fuse inside, while others (certain models of Square D boxes) tend to burn up inside.
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Ok I'm an idiot- I put the disconnect switch in upside down... I even double checked that during the troubleshooting process but since the contactor was getting power I thought everything was getting power but then I remembered the 24v was coming from the low voltage wires- product of a tired brain
so,I ran the system for a little while but then noticed the house wasn't cooling - I gave the system some time since outside temp is 90 and heat index supposed to be around 100.
I felt like the house was getting hotter and I looked at the thermostat.... It was. I went outside and checked the condensing unit - the compressor was covered with a layer of ice...then I came inside and checked the air handler and the evaporator coils had ice on them.
I'm guessing maybe the system needs a charge? Or maybe I have a freon leak? System is 12yrs old.
so,I ran the system for a little while but then noticed the house wasn't cooling - I gave the system some time since outside temp is 90 and heat index supposed to be around 100.
I felt like the house was getting hotter and I looked at the thermostat.... It was. I went outside and checked the condensing unit - the compressor was covered with a layer of ice...then I came inside and checked the air handler and the evaporator coils had ice on them.
I'm guessing maybe the system needs a charge? Or maybe I have a freon leak? System is 12yrs old.
#4
Independamber, there are two things that usually cause a system to freeze up. Either insufficient airflow through the evaporator coil, or the system is low on refrigerant. After you let the ice melt, turn on the A/C for a few minutes and feel the airflow from the vents. If the airflow feels normal, then it's likely not an airflow problem, and the system needs to be recharged (meaning that you have a leak somewhere). Don't leave the system on for a long time or it will likely freeze up again.
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I went through and checked/cleaned every vent and air return in the house while the system thawed. Airflow is good and air coming from vent feels cool ..... But it didn't take long for the system to start freezing up again. So am I correct in my thought process.... It's a closed system so if I'm needing a recharge that definitely means there is a leak somewhere.... Right ????
I'm a student so money is really tight and I was hoping that I could solve the issue myself. I'm also a female who has been previously swindled ...... so I want to make sure I know what the problem is so I don't end up in a situation where I'm replacing parts unnecessarily.
I'm a student so money is really tight and I was hoping that I could solve the issue myself. I'm also a female who has been previously swindled ...... so I want to make sure I know what the problem is so I don't end up in a situation where I'm replacing parts unnecessarily.
#6
Welcome to the forums.
I sent you a PM that I started a new thread for you. It's important that we keep members with different problems in their own thread to eliminate confusion.
A female using a voltmeter and troubleshooting..... AWESOME.
I see Bob has been taking good care of you.
I agree..... it does appear that you are low on refrigerant and yes that would suggest a leak.
I sent you a PM that I started a new thread for you. It's important that we keep members with different problems in their own thread to eliminate confusion.
A female using a voltmeter and troubleshooting..... AWESOME.
I see Bob has been taking good care of you.
I agree..... it does appear that you are low on refrigerant and yes that would suggest a leak.