Air Conditioning Problem

[RJSakowski]

Can you set your circulation fan to always on? If you have problem with the a/c controller, that might bypass it. A blower is a relatively simple repair and potentially fairly low cost. I have used RepairClinic.com for HVAC parts. They are reasonably priced and fast shipping. My most recent escapade was a snake shorting out the run capacitor for the compressor/compressor fan. I ordered the replacement on Friday and had the new one on Monday.

Our Carrier HVAC system is 24 years old. I have had to replace a few parts over the years but nothing over $25 and less than $100 in total. We heat primarily with wood so the heat demand on the system is low but the A/c gets a workout each summer. There are undoubtely more efficient systems nowadays but at my age, the ROI probably isn't justified.

 

[682bear]

Can you set your circulation fan to always on? If you have problem with the a/c controller, that might bypass it.

I did set the fan to continuous on... it still never came on... I'm hoping for a quick, easy, and inexpensive fix.

-Bear

 

[tq60]

Usual is run cap goes bad, second is contactor.


Easy to check with voltmeter.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[OTmachine]

Run cap 1 time, earwig fried in the contactor another time. Finally replaced the 35 year old A/C unit with a Goodman 2 ton for $1300 with me doing most of the install. Had a friend, A/C repair, silver braze lines and check refrigerant for which I gave him $200, (part of the $1300). Should be able to find some diagnostics on the control board.

 

[DAM 79]

Could be a combination of things or could just be a blower motor or capacitor for the blower motor . Definitely turn the system off because if the fan does not move any air across the coil and the outdoor unit is running the indoor coil will turn into a block of ice
Model number would also help . Do you have a variable speed blower motor ?? If so those are very expensive or it could be a bad board ?? Either way a Good HVAC tech should be able to figure it out pretty quickly just be prepared it could be a expensive repair
Darryl

 

[RJSakowski]

It has been my experience that failures usually are due to a single point. It is possible that a failure can cause another component to fail though. I would troubleshoot the motor subsystem. Is there a fuse in the motor circuit? Later systems use automotive type blade fuses. On an older system, there is most likely a relay which switches the motor on. If you can identify the motor contacts, you can check for contacts closing with a simple voltage check. Depending on the motor type, it may have a capacitor in the circuit. Fractional hp blower motors are often either split phase or permanent split capacitor type motors. Capacitor start motors are usually used where increased starting torque is need which isn't the case for a blower motor. Capacitor run motors typically use an oil filled or polyester capacitor which is less likely to fail than an electrolytic capacitor. Older motors provided variable speed by means of multiple taps. Check the connectors for continuity. Switching taps to a different winding may restore operation.

All moot if you are having a repair guy out but it helps to know what some of the potential causes are. going in blind is an opportunity for a an inflated repair bill.

 

[GeneT45]

I'm leaning toward @pontiac428 - check the condensate drains. Blow 'em out with compressed air (be prepared for a mess at the other end). The fact that you hear a click isn't a guarantee that your contactor is working, but it's a pretty good indication. Caps are always suspect - and the most common failure - but this doesn't sound like one (to me).

Trane makes great products and parts remain available for many years. I'd be very, very, reluctant to replace the unit unless the repair rivals the cost of a new one. If my ac ever needs replacing, I'll be going with a Trane. My old place had a Trane furnace that needed a number of repairs (through no fault of the manufacturer, it just hadn't been maintained) - it was easy to get the parts, the documentation was excellent, and after remedial servicing it ran for the next 18 years and was still going when we sold.

GsT

 

[twraska]

Check the capacitor for the blower. Simple check. I don’t know what is going on with the new capacitors now days, but 80 percent of the time the ac goes down in one of the rentals it’s a cap.

Capacitor and voltage to it are the first two things I check.

 

[DAM 79]

Reading over some of these replies be very careful blowing the drain out because you can fill your main drain pan in the unit up with debris and if you have a blockage you can crack or break the pipe . With changing the fan speed I would Not advise unless you have a set of gages to put on the Condenser and check the charge and adjust it as needed because if you lower the fan speed you can cause your coil to freeze up because your not moving enough air across it !!!
There is a lot that goes into hvac system and from what I have seen over the years most homeowners do more damage then good
Just my two cents I e been In the trade for over 25 years and some things are best left up to a service tech
Darryl

 

[682bear]

Update: the blower motor is shot... and the squirrel cage wheel is also. After removing the outer panel of the air handler unit, it was obvious that the entire unit is in bad condition.

They quoted a fuzz over $1500.00 for repair parts... plus labor...

Bottom line... I let them sucker me into a complete new system, which will be installed tomorrow. The new system has a 15 year warrantee on parts and labor.

-Bear