So my AC has been acting strange the past few days. The thermostat clicks and I hear a click outside at the box but it doesn't come on. I went and checked and it was due to come on based on the thermostat. It eventually came on and ran for a few minutes but not to the temperature it should (it stopped earlier than normal). It later did the clicking thing without coming on again (about 5 minutes later) and again came on again about 5 minutes or so later and actually ran. So it will eventually come on and run. It doesn't run long and keeps coming on multiple times in an hour, since it shuts off (making clicking sound at thermostat) before it should.

Also once when it was actually running, the thermostat made the clicking sound. I have never heard it make that sound except when it goes on or off so it was weird to hear this noise as the AC was running.

The AC isn't broken yet and runs eventually. But I am wondering what the problem could be. I feel like something is going bad. Contactor? Capacitor? Could it be the thermostat?

I read about if it hums outside, it's the capacitor. But I hear a click sound outside some of the times but not sure about humming sound. Plus it eventually runs and is cooling the house so what does this mean...haha!

Thank you for your time. I have a friend who can help me repair it. I just need to buy the correct part. Thank you again for reading. I googled and just didn't see a case where the AC does eventually run some of the time. Sorry I ramble.

Nutshell: AC is making click sound at thermostat and not running. It will eventually come on (5-10 minutes later) but isn't running the full time to cool the house to the temperature it should. It is running more frequently in short bursts now and still sometimes clicking at thermostat like it is about to run but it won't start. I don't think it is humming outside when this happens, but I do hear a click sound outside like the box is starting after the thermostat clicks but it shuts off in a second. Oh and once the thermostat clicked like it was coming on but it didn't...I checked and it wasn't time for it to come on (temp was only 1 degree above what it was set to be) so that was strange.

-Katie

 

If you have a timer in the outdoor unit it might be something to consider.


Does the contactor show signs of heat?


If you post a picture of the control section of the outdoor unit we may be able to offer better assistance.