I have a 2 year old Tempstar heatpump NHP242AKA1 and I am trying to diagnose what the problem is with the condensor unit. The inside blower is working as well as the thermostat. I went out to check the condensor unit and the fan was not turning and it was humming. I shut down the system and while investigating further I noticed the top of the unit was hot where the fan attached. I let it cool for a while and came in on the computer to research a little and discovered this site. I read in a couple of other posts about turning the fan manually to see if it runs, and if so it is most likely the Cap. Well now when I turn it back on nothing happens. No humming, no blower in the house on auto cool, (I do get the inside blower if I turn it to constant on fan) and manually turning the condensor fan has no effect. The only sound I get is a click when I turn the AC and Heat breakers on at the service panel. The click sounds like it is from the bottom of the condensing unit where the compressor is. I would appreciate any assistance in troubleshooting this.
Thanks

 

it may not be trying to start as the thermal overloads are open. then again it may have tripped the breaker. look at the cap, is it even slightly swollen? it does sound like the cap is bad

 

I have reset all the breakers. There are 2 double pole breakers in the service panel, one marked heat, one marked air. Both were reset. Turning these on and off are what makes the click sound from the compressor. There is a box near the condensor unit with a pull-out and it is marked 'no fuse'. I have pulled this in and out several time also. How do I reset the thermal overloads?

I pushed in the contactor briefly, the fan motor hums. There was a longer delay when turning on the t-stat before the condensor kicked in than I remembered. It did kick in and I started the fan manually and the fan worked.
I let it run for 10 or 15 minutes but it did not cool. The small and large copper pipes were not warm or cool at the condensor. Is there something else to reset?

Also the cap did not look swollen, but apparently it is bad.

 

Sounds like the cap on the fan motor. But why you are getting the klixon on the compressor dont know could be its capacitor also.

ED

 

that is what i was thinking, ed. possibly a dual cap gone bad

 

You answered my next question already. I was wondering where the other cap was. It does have 3 terminals on it, so that was what I was guessing.
I am also here in Florida, the lightning capitol and I was wondering if this is a probable cause of a failure of a double cap.
I think the unit is still under warrenty and I am debating whether to replace the cap my self or have it done because of the possibility of any likely collateral damage with the failed Cap. The unit was working fine before, but I am concerned about the heat build-up in the fan motor and I don't know what damage can be done with both the compressor and the fan motors trying to start for an extended period of time with out ever starting. Concerning other damage, Is it one of those 'Time will tell' deals, or are there any other readily apparent signs I should look for?

 

Goodmans are known for the cap going out. If it's under warranty call them 1st because if you attempt a repair that will more than likely void any warranty you have.

 

I had the technicians come today and they replaced the dual cap with three caps wired together to make the right uF so they say. Initally the the Fan turned but not the compressor. They installed a compressor 'Start Booster' and the compressor fired. They offered to leave that on for $60 and said they thought the compressor windings are going bad and that they did not know how long it would work. I told them to take it off and try it now with just the new caps, and it is working. They also said they did not think it would work for very long this way, and suggested I needed a new compressor to the tune of $450 labor and a free part.
I now have several options to consider.
1, Leave it alone and hope for the best while researching some more.
2, Replace the compressor and hope that I don't get another expensive surprise on a 2 year old unit.
3, Replace the whole unit with a better brand with a parts and labor warrenty.

Thanks for all your help already and if you have any advise, please let me know.

 

i think you will be ok, i have seen many i had to "kick off" 3 years ago, still running today

450 is very fair for compressor change under warranty

i do not think you will have to go there though.........