Hey everyone, my A/C just stopped working out of the blue! It started early Monday morning after a short power outage the night before. Now when I turn it on, it makes a clicking noise, but there's no airflow from the vents, even though the outdoor unit's fan seems to be working fine. I did notice some water dripping around the tubes, and I'm wondering if it could be the capacitor, compressor, or maybe just low freon. I've checked the breaker panel and all breakers are on. I really can't afford a technician right now and I have two kids at home, so any help is greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
It sounds like a capacitor issue, which is pretty common this time of year. That clicking sound you're hearing is likely from the contactor trying to work. You might want to check out repairclinic.com for some DIY HVAC tips. If you're feeling up to it, you could pull the kill switch outside, discharge the contactor and capacitor (make sure to use a rubber-handled tool), and then test things out. I found some helpful troubleshooting videos online if you need guidance!
I had the same issue once, and it turned out to be the contactor since my A/C was short cycling as well. Might be worth checking!
Are you working with a package unit or a split system? If your outdoor fan is working but there's no airflow inside, it probably means the indoor fan isn't functioning, which could point to a capacitor issue if it's an older unit. If that's the case, just make sure you get one with the same microfarads rating as the old one when you replace it. But keep in mind, it could also be the control board or wiring. If there's water, it might not be just low freon but rather an indication of a bigger issue, especially with the drainage.
Your A/C system has two main parts: the outdoor compressor and the indoor air handler. It seems like your air handler's fan isn't running if you're not feeling any air flow. Try switching your thermostat fan setting to 'On' instead of 'Auto.' If the fan starts blowing air, then the issue may not be with the air handler. However, if you hear clicking from the compressor outside but no airflow, the compressor is likely the problem. The capacitor is a common culprit for failures, and you can usually snag one for about $40-$60 at a local supply store. Just be sure to watch some instructional videos before trying to replace it, as you’re dealing with stored energy!
If you're replacing the capacitor, definitely follow the videos closely. Safety first, right? I learned that the hard way.
I tried the fan switch change and it didn’t work for me either. I thought it might be the capacitor too but now I'm not so sure.
But if the outdoor fan is spinning, wouldn’t that rule out the capacitor? What do you think?