MikeTF
Ultimate Member
.... and discharge the old capacitor by shorting it out with an insulated screwdriver.
AC not cooling
- Thread starter fishcrow
- Start date
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Mr H
Banana'd
It's blowing slightly cooler... but that may be the warmth of the house air being problematic...
Will check again in an hour.
Will check again in an hour.
omegared24
Ultimate Member
Hopefully that is it. I was fortunate enough to just have a fan/capacitor issue but I have heard that it can escalate to other issue quickly. I would get an expert out there sooner rather than later!
That's my guess. Had it happen to my condenser a few years ago. My next-door neighbor about two months ago.
Mr H
Banana'd
We will... I just wanted to see if one of our HVAC pros here would want the job.
As for the bolded, I was wondering if it could cascade to/from a compressor failure...
Grab a screw driver and head outside. Remove the panel held on by a couple of screws.
A how to check the outside unit:
http://www.justanswer.com/hvac/8fok9-goodman-mini-split-model-msg-18crn1-think.html
if the capacitor is grenaded, get a new one
Change Filter
Clean coils
Test and change capacitor if needed. Capacitors are HVAC items that you need a lic. to buy in MD. Check Amazon for one, don't need lic. to buy on line... . They run about 18 bucks including shipping.
If the compressor comes on, it's not the capacitor. It will be dirty coils or low refrigerant.
Yep. Thy last about 7-10 years at best.
since when do you need license to buy capacitor?
omegared24
Ultimate Member
From what I understand it can cascade to a compressor failure. That is how I understand it. I am definitely not an expert on the subject. It does give you some peace of mind that it is LIKELY just the capacitor. That is a much less expensive fix.
a216vcti
Cliff
- Oct 19, 2009
- 748
You don't need a license to buy a capacitor.
gamer_jim
Podcaster
The 2 times mine did this were:
First, a stick had fallen in the condenser unit preventing the cooling blades from turning.
The condensation spout to the outside had become blocked.
check those then worry about more expensive stuff.
If you check the motherboard of the unit it should have an error code, like an LCD or something. That should tell you whats wrong.
Mr H
Banana'd
I appreciate all the help today. But I'll reiterate a few key points.
1 - I will not be cracking the case on the unit. I don't "do" electrical work I'm not already familiar with.
2 - This unit is almost 30 years old. It might have a GRANDmotherboard, but I doubt it would even now what a diag code is.
3 - I would prefer to let someone in the MDS family get my money, if it can be done simply and professionally.
While it's not an 'emergency', I will need something in the next week. If no one can take it, I'll be calling Blue Dot on Monday, I suppose.
1 - I will not be cracking the case on the unit. I don't "do" electrical work I'm not already familiar with.
2 - This unit is almost 30 years old. It might have a GRANDmotherboard, but I doubt it would even now what a diag code is.
3 - I would prefer to let someone in the MDS family get my money, if it can be done simply and professionally.
While it's not an 'emergency', I will need something in the next week. If no one can take it, I'll be calling Blue Dot on Monday, I suppose.
omegared24
Ultimate Member
Good luck Mr H. I would def shut the unit off until it is checked. You're probably ahead of me here 
gamer_jim
Podcaster
Somewhere on the board is the manufacturer and there should be the error code. If you enter that into Google you might get the answer you are looking for.
A few years ago mine was doing this and I looked it up. It ended up being one of the safety valves for the furnace had gone bad. I called a local hvac company, told them the model # (that was printed on the motherboard), the error code and that it was complaining about the valve.
I asked them if they had a replacement and they did. They sold it to me for $40.
Had I called someone they would have charged me > $100.
Pull the cover off the unit and see what you can see.
Good luck!
You got a breaker? I've got a fuse box with two fat fuses. Had a problem a few years back and replaced the fuses. Worked fine. Another issue is if your condinsate pump float gets stuck. Won't let the unit turn on. Good luck
MEGARMS
KnowNothing
Grab a screw driver and head outside. Remove the panel held on by a couple of screws.
A how to check the outside unit:
http://www.justanswer.com/hvac/8fok9-goodman-mini-split-model-msg-18crn1-think.html
if the capacitor is grenaded, get a new one
90% chance it is this. $10 fix if you do it yourself or $125-$175 for an HVAC tech visit (if you can get one to show up in this heat wave)
I was nervous about doing this too, but soon realized there is nothing to it. If I were closer I would come do it for you.
That said, consider just pulling the panel and visually inspecting the capacitor. If the top is swelled, you know what the problem is. Only issue is that they do not sell them at the home depot unless you order it on their website. Need to walk into a electrical supply store and see if they will sell you one. I have never been refused.
Ski169
Active Member
- May 28, 2012
- 941
When this happened to me, I was new homeowner. It was during the heatwave of 2011. I'm not an hvac person so my wife called someone to look at it. After the tech said it was the capacitor and quoted us a price of $300, I said no thank you. I bought a window unit to get us through the heatwave while I looked into what it would take to do the repair.
It pays to know people at work. One of the supervisors had an account with R E Michaels. He hooked me up and called the order in. I drove there and paid $8 for it. I got new wire and connectors at work and about a half hour later, I was back in business. The worst part was the $75 service fee for the tech to look at it. Lesson learned.
It pays to know people at work. One of the supervisors had an account with R E Michaels. He hooked me up and called the order in. I drove there and paid $8 for it. I got new wire and connectors at work and about a half hour later, I was back in business. The worst part was the $75 service fee for the tech to look at it. Lesson learned.
Mr H
Banana'd
At this point, I'm pretty well convinced I have multiple issues.
I get paid for my particular expertise, and I'm more than willing to help out someone for theirs.
I'll take an additional peek tomorrow, but I'm sure it's beyond my ken.
Thanks to all.
I get paid for my particular expertise, and I'm more than willing to help out someone for theirs.
I'll take an additional peek tomorrow, but I'm sure it's beyond my ken.
Thanks to all.
ShafTed
Ultimate Member
If you're looking to keep it in the community, call H&C Heating & Cooling, pbharvey on the board. They're in Laurel, but you might be in their territory.
301 725 1414
410 792 9065
800 318 5607
I've used them a couple of times, I think it's about $79 to get to your door and take a look, plus whatever parts/labor you need.
301 725 1414
410 792 9065
800 318 5607
I've used them a couple of times, I think it's about $79 to get to your door and take a look, plus whatever parts/labor you need.
MikeTF
Ultimate Member
It is 30 years old. You may want to consider getting a new system. I got my system to go 35 years. My brother got his to go 45 years. The manufacturers claim that 15 years is the 'lifespan' of an AC system, but I'm a bit dubious about their motivation for that claim.
