The air conditioning always goes out during the hottest time of the year, when air conditioner repair companies are at their busiest. Some AC issues can be fixed easily. If your air conditioner is making a noise but not starting, don’t worry too much as this is the cause of nearly 80% of repair calls. In most cases, it is due to a faulty capacitor, which stores the electricity that makes the unit run.
Here are instructions from Word of Advice TV on how to check the charge of the capacitor and replace it, if needed.
- Assemble all tools: needle-nosed plier 5/16 or ¼ inch screwdrivers and a brush.
- Disconnect the power and indoor thermostat.
- Remove all the screws and take off the door.
- Remove any dust and debris with the brush.
- Locate the capacitor, a silver cylinder attached to the unit by a bracket. There will be different colored electrical leads coming out from the top.
- Take the needle-nosed pliers and touch the metal to the capacitor, depleting any remaining electrical charge.
- Remove the screw that releases the capacitor and remove the electrical leads. Take a photo to ensure the electric leads are replaced properly.
- Find the UF rating on the capacitor and check the charge using a meter. If the numbers on the meter are lower than the UF rating, you need to replace it.
- Once you have your new capacitor, replace the wires and re-attach it under the safety bracket.
- Replace the door.
There is no guarantee that the issue is the capacitor, but 80% of these types of problems are the capacitor. If it is, you will know how to fix it. If not, then at least there is one thing you can rule out.
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