How many wires for Goodman heat pump?

I had a Goodman heat pump system installed on a property - but the installer failed to bring a thermostat with the "EH" setting - so it got wired up as non-heat pump. I wasn't too much concerned as it was spring time and any heat wouldn't be needed for awhile. I have since purchased a proper thermostat, and have hired a HVAC guy to come out and wire it all up properly.

While he was here he couldn't get the outside unit to kick on when the inside thermostat was set for heat (not EH). He said the defrost control board was fried. Normally i would just have him replace the board - but his price was so high I nearly passed out! Hence, i tracked down the board and bought one. It will be here today and i will transfer it one wire at a time.

But! In all of this, I noticed there are only 4 wires connected going out to the heat pump/compressor. Every wiring diagram I can find (Goodman) shows 5 wires. Add to it that it seems he kinda sorta did a mix and match color wise so i am not sure what actual functions are wired.

I am tempted to call him back as the service call wasn't cheap - but if this isn't hooked up properly I am hesitant to get a second dose. Of course, when the replacement defrost board gets here I will note which wire colors he connected at the heat pump. I remember him saying something about a "blue w/ pink stripe" - which I did not find in any of the wiring diagrams.

(FWIW - I previously ran 18-8 from exchange unit to heat pump/compressor and also 18-8 from exchange unit to thermostat on wall.)

Can anyone tell me if it should be 4 or 5 wires going from the exchange unit out to the heat pump/compressor? Colors?

 

You should start by telling us what colors are on what terminals/leads.

You need....
R - 24vac
C - common
Y - compressor
O - reversing valve
W - call for heat during defrost. This one is not imperative but not having it will make for cold air in the house during defrost.

 

Isn’t this unit under warranty if it was just installed?

 

Under warranty? yes and no. I bought the system used from (what i know now) is a less than respectable HVAC business. The system was actually installed - and then for some reason removed. As such, the compressor was registered for warranty (10 yrs) but not the exchange unit. Hence the exchange warranty expired in jan 2023 - and to get warranty work on the compressor means asking somebody to commit fraud by lying as to where the unit is now installed.

As for wires....
The last contracotr here to wire up the unit for heat pump usage, siad the brand new 18-8 was too short for his liking (inside the exchange unit) so he spliced on a piece of the old wire.

Wires are now:
TO compressor FROM exchange unit
Red Red
Blue Blue
White White
Orange Yellow

I have yet to open up that lower panel on the exchange unit to see how he spliced in that 5 conductor piece.

I ordered an 8 terminal (dual row) barrier strip that i plan on mounting in the bottom of the exchange unit - and eliminate all these silly wire nuts (As former network admin - I have a peeve about messy wiring....)

I received the replacement Defrost Control board - and will get it installed in short order. I remember seeing this 'bush' of wiring wadded up and shoved behind the corner panel...and at least ONE uncapped bare wire (green) just shoved in with the rest.

 

The wire colors you listed kinda-sorta lets me know that this whole thing has probably been half-assed from the git-go.

I will go pull the bottom panel on the exchange unit, and also the corner panel on the compressor to a get a more complete pic of what wire is going where.

 

Ok...ugh! I pulled the panel from the outdoor unit.....and lo and behold.....the yellow wire that is NOT connected inside at the exchange unit - is connected at the compressor to a blue w/ pink - that goes directly to a high pressure switch. If I understood all that i read - that HPS kinda-sorta controls the fan coming on at the outdoor unit when regular heat (NOT EH) is selected at the thermostat. Now - the reason this stands out to me is that the tech that was here declared the defrost control board was fried because the fan would not come on at the outdoor unit.

And now....I am totally confused.

 

Unfortunately you got the worst of the worst.
If that equipment is "new" there should be a wiring diagram on the access panel..... post it here.
How to insert pictures.

 

Well...my view point has changed - and now I am not so sure that the failed Defrost Control board wasn't intentional for a come back for $770. The yellow wire is connected at the compressor - but is not connected to anything at the other end. (If I understand the schematics - the yellow wire at the compressor should go directly to the "Y" terminal on the thermostat. The Thermostat schematic says the "Y" terminal is for the compressor relay.

I **WILL** be contacting the company come Monday - and it ain't gonna be pretty.

 

You have five flying lead connections....
OR - orange - reversing valve
WH - white - turns on electric reheats during defrost.
RD - red - 24vac power
BL - blue - C common
BL/PNK - yellow - to high pressure switch mounted near the compressor. The other BL/PNK wire from the high pressure switch goes to Y on the defrost board.

 

You have saved my sanity! That is EXACTLY what I came up with by working between the wiring schematics/diagrams!

A tech is supposed to be here this morning to correct the mis-wire issue. I have my fingers crossed that he can put this back together - and i can be done with it!

And thank YOU for your help in working through this. It is greatly appreciated!

 

You are very welcome. You made my job easy by posting the diagram.