When the fan goes down there is no way to cycle the air and thus the system is essentially stalled. First, let’s cover this scenario. This places unnecessary wear-and-tear on the compressor and it will eventually wear out. An expert AC technician will make a recommendation of whether to replace or repair the compressor. First make sure there is power to the indoor unit and that a switch or breaker isn't off. If both the compressor and the fan motor won’t run, use a multimeter to test the temperature control thermostat for continuity. Although, this isn't the best outcome, it is far less expensive than replacing your compressor! Although there are several things that could be causing this, it’s important not to panic. These two components play a critical role in providing the compressor with the power it needs to operate. Why is My AC Running but Fan Not Spinning? Other times, your HVAC may simply need a thorough cleaning. The air conditioning clutch could be not working for the refrigerant could be low or the clutch could be burned up. (2020), What is the Cost to Convert R-22 to an R-410 Refrigerant, Does your Air Conditioner use R-22 Refrigerant, Freon Air Conditioner Replacements in 2020. What If The AC Fan And Compressor Are Not Running? But before you totally lose your cool, take a few minutes to troubleshoot and see if it’s a problem you can fix or if it’s time to call your local Carrier HVAC expert for professional air conditioner service . Sometimes it can be a contactor problem. A common problem with AC compressors is the starter relay and AC capacitor. It might even be an electrical issue such as the one discussed above. Your AC compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system and when it's not working  properly you'll definitely know. Regardless, your compressor is dead and your AC isn't working, and unfortunately, your only choice is to replace your compressor. If you’re inexperienced with this sort of thing, let the information below help you First, check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped or if there's a blown fuse. However, the information coming from your thermostat is that the room is already at the correct temperature. When your system isn't able to cool, the compressor will keep running as it attempts to drop the thermostat temperature. Some issues can be resolved by yourself, especially if you're a DIY'er, and others should be fixed by an HVAC professional. Symptoms of a Central A/C Fan Not Working Because it’s very rare for both the fan and the compressor to fail at once. While it may take some detective work, you should be able to identify the issue—if not, you can always give your local HVAC technician a call. When the ac compressor not working but the fan is running, chances are the outer unit housing the compressor isn’t receiving power. 4 thoughts on “ Reasons an Air Conditioner Compressor Will Not Start ” James L Cue May 29, 2020. If the compressor is running, but the fan motor is not running, the fan motor or the fan motor capacitor are likely at fault. Unit not receiving power. Ever 30 or so seconds there is a brief buzzing sound that last only 2 seconds. When the ac compressor not working but the fan is running, chances are the outer unit housing the compressor isn’t receiving power. A pro in the industry can fix it before the utility begins to rack up. The fan keeps running because the central unit has no such problem. Various parts of your air conditioner can overheat and trip your circuit breaker, forcing your air conditioner to shut down. In which case, the air conditioning system won't kick-in and neither will the compressor. The starter relays and capacitors are integral in supplying power to the compressor. Here are three tips that can help keep your AC compressor working: Clean the Condenser Coil - This is a simple task that will prolong the life of your AC compressor. System has freon in it. Valves – A broken valve can create major problems in a compressor. The starter relay transmits power from the capacitors to the compressor. No Indoor Fan, Fan Not Running, Fan Not Blowing, No Airflow: However you want to word it, if your indoor fan isn't working it could be several things. This is sometimes simple to resolve. warm or … Uh oh! Over time, the constant wear-and-tear causes internal components to breakdown and deteriorate. We will go over a few things to check before calling for service. You do so by turning your AC off at the thermostat first. Heat still transfers from warm to cool areas. We highly recommend contacting an HVAC professional to help you determine your next move. (paid links) As an Amazon and Ebay Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When this is not possible, call your professional HVAC tech in to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs. First, check the circuit breaker to see if … Since I have started using the “Term-Lok” repair kit, I have not had one call back for burnt compressor terminals! In a split AC system the compressor is housed in the outdoor unit. First, use a vacuum and then thoroughly clean the housing. Although, it's important to keep in mind that even regular filter changing won't totally protect your AC system. Many small, inexpensive and easily replaceable parts are prone to breaking down. The heat of summer can be intense, and the worst thing that can happen is finding yourself with a malfunctioning HVAC compressor. The refrigerant’s temperature should always be higher than its surrounding environment. Sometimes homeowners try to replace just one of the units to either save money or because they didn't understand how the system works. Second, you can clean them. (855)561-COLD[2653], All Rights Reserved © 2020 • All Time Air Conditioning • CAC 1816560 • 2940 NW Commerce Park Dr #12, Boynton Beach, FL, Try our Emergency Service Application 100% FREE FOREVER, 4 Reasons Why AC Compressor Not Working But Fan Is Running. When ac compressor not working but you hear some humming sounds from the unit, chances are the compressor is trying to access a non-operational capacitor. With how much the HVAC runs, something is bound to go wrong with its compressor. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Clogged air filters and condenser coils put the compressor under pressure, making it overheat. This problem may not be your compressor at all! This is called a closed system, and if there are no leaks within the system, the refrigerant level should never change. There are also times where you can fix it yourself. Could this be the capacitor? A start capacitor is an electric device that gets the electric motor running at startup by providing a "jolt" of stored electrical energy. Something’s wrong with your AC, and now, you’re wondering why the AC compressor is not working but the fan is running. Scenario A: Compressor works, but the fan does not spin. Also, you may find such problems with air conditioners that are more than a decade old. Someone may have adjusted the themostat and you're expecting your AC to switch on. The starter relay transmits the power to the compressor from the capacitors. places.singleplatform.com, We're currently offline. If the compressor isn’t starting, check the wiring connecting the two units. This article will cover each and help you determine if you need to hire an HVAC professional to help you resolve your problem. AC units are also fused and before getting deeper into other more complicated scenarios, let’s see if the fuse is blown. In fact, the entire AC system can shut down if your filter(s), condensor coil, or evaporator are dirty. However, it'll run far more efficiently and you'll save money every month on your utility bills. Note that an expert should do a compressor replacement. When the fan is running but the AC compressor isn't there's a good chance that electrical power isn't reaching the outside unit where the compressor is located - and since the inside unit has power, the fan is still operating. If it’s a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, the search has come to an end. There are two things to do in caring for your condenser coil. The gaseous refrigerant enters the AC compressor where the termperature is increased by compression, to a point where it changes into a high pressure gas. Or call us for immediate assistance. An AC compressor plays a very important role in getting cool air into your home. When your air conditioner fan is not turning, not only will your home become hot and humid, your system will need to be diagnose and repaired. The only option with a dead compressor is a replacement. Otherwise, the continuous overheating may necessitate the compressor getting replaced. It helps make the … Unfortunately, even the best air conditioning systems have a service life. If your unit has a low pressure switch (not all do), it would open the 24V signal going to the contactor meaning that neither the compressor nor condenser fan would run. Warm, dry air coming from the running fan. An air conditioner that has lost its cooling capabilities or is cooling inadequately (i.e. I changed the 2 fuses out, checked the power to the fuse box (got power to the AC), and cleaned off the fins (LOTS of cottonwood seeds!). 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