Help please home ac again

[RadMan]

So all works but my magnetic contactor. I can close the contact manually and the ac runs normal. I have a new spare magnetic contactor, installed it, same symptom.? My guess not getting proper signal to close contactor for outdoor condenser to run.

Any takes.

 

[RadMan]

I could rig it to close the contactor and run constant all night, probably not the safest approach, it’s still 90 degrees outside at midnight in Dallas

 

[Dalton]

Check transformer voltage also if the t stat is sending voltage to close contactor

 

[jet496]

Verify you have 24 volts at the contactor to pull it in (probably not). If not there's either a low pressure or high pressure safety switch keeping it off or your thermostat.

 

[RadMan]

Which lead it the signal from the thermostat,
Brown or yellow going to the magnetic contactor side terminals

 

[RadMan]

Well I made it blow cold for the night
Will revisit in the morning

Still not sure why new magnetic contactor will not close when thermostat says to do so, everything else works

 

[LuauLounge]

Could be damaged wire between thermostat and condensing unit, bad thermostat or transformer

 

[azsunfun]

If it's a rheem look for red button bottom of cabinet by refrigerant lines, or chewed wires.

 

[azsunfun]

Or if you have a condensate pump, safety switch on pump.

 

[RadMan]

I’ll get back to it later, no time so far today
Thanks for all the ideas so far, yes it is a Rheem, I’ll look for a red button later.

When this is over, I might show how I have made it run constant, but I might give a few here a heart attack.

House is colder than ever cause this bitch has been on since midnight non stop. Any concerns they’re running 24-36 hrs without cycling?

I know I can work on it tomorrow. I can also turn it off and let it rest periodically if suggested. I plan on it, but for now told the wifey if you get cold, step outside Dallas may set a daily record today.

 

[Ziggy]

I’ll get back to it later, no time so far today
Thanks for all the ideas so far, yes it is a Rheem, I’ll look for a red button later.

When this is over, I might show how I have made it run constant, but I might give a few here a heart attack.

House is colder than ever cause this bitch has been on since midnight non stop. Any concerns they’re running 24-36 hrs without cycling?

I know I can work on it tomorrow. I can also turn it off and let it rest periodically if suggested. I plan on it, but for now told the wifey if you get cold, step outside Dallas may set a daily record today.

Phoenix finally was below 110° yesterday. Record setting 31 straight days of 110+.

 

[dezertrider]

I’ll get back to it later, no time so far today
Thanks for all the ideas so far, yes it is a Rheem, I’ll look for a red button later.

When this is over, I might show how I have made it run constant, but I might give a few here a heart attack.

House is colder than ever cause this bitch has been on since midnight non stop. Any concerns they’re running 24-36 hrs without cycling?

I know I can work on it tomorrow. I can also turn it off and let it rest periodically if suggested. I plan on it, but for now told the wifey if you get cold, step outside Dallas may set a daily record today.

I do not recommend bypassing the unit to run. There are safeties that protect the compressor from damaging itself. Check voltage on the side terminals. If no voltage check the high pressure reset another person mentioned.

 

[Joepump]

So all works but my magnetic contactor. I can close the contact manually and the ac runs normal. I have a new spare magnetic contactor, installed it, same symptom.? My guess not getting proper signal to close contactor for outdoor condenser to run.

Any takes.

Both my units did the same thing at different times. Both times were the thermostats.

 

[TCHB]

Simple try/fix! Buy a low end thermostat and try it. Home Depot around $28!

 

[RadMan]

Mine is some old school smart thermostat,
Bought the house 10+ years ago. No wifi access by phone I’ve ever found, but it communicates to the air handler in the attic wirelessly from this to this I believe.

Carrier brand, don’t know model #’s

Any thoughts or clarifications.

 

[RadMan]

I do not recommend bypassing the unit to run. There are safeties that protect the compressor from damaging itself. Check voltage on the side terminals. If no voltage check the high pressure reset another person mentioned.

Is that the red button?

 

[RadMan]

Ran home briefly,
Turned off ac and shut down condenser.
Pushed red button, didn’t feel like it had tripped, just smooth when pressed, no click as if I reset it.

Did find a fray in the daylight I’ll fix tonight. Maybe that’s it. No time to do anymore right now. Only 2 of 5 wires for the thermostat lead are in use in the frayed conductor (white and red).

 

[dezertrider]

Ran home briefly,
Turned off ac and shut down condenser.
Pushed red button, didn’t feel like it had tripped, just smooth when pressed, no click as if I reset it.

Did find a fray I’ll fix tonight. Maybe that’s it. No time to do anymore right now.

View attachment 1259482
View attachment 1259483

What is all that fur on the condenser coil? In the picture? Yes that was the high pressure reset and all that fur on the condenser would make it trip on high limit. Wash that condenser from the inside out and don’t bend the fins

 

[RadMan]

What is all that fur on the condenser coil? In the picture? Yes that was the high pressure reset and all that fur on the condenser would make it trip on high limit. Wash that condenser from the inside out and don’t bend the fins

Wow,
Yea that’s dirty, without you mentioning it, I thought that was a dirty piece of sheet metal, the rest looks clean, but that is filthy and clogged. Should I grab a can or 2 of coil cleaner to spray on it first. Do I disconnect power before flushing.

The back side and that side are totally clogged, the front and left are clean as a whistle. I’ve been
Operating at about 50%, looks like.

 

[azsunfun]

Wow,
Yea that’s dirty, without you mentioning it, I thought that was a dirty piece of sheet metal, the rest looks clean, but that is filthy and clogged. Should I grab a can or 2 of coil cleaner to spray on it first. Do I disconnect power before flushing.

The back side and that side are totally clogged, the front and left are clean as a whistle. I’ve been
Operating at about 50%, looks like.
View attachment 1259486

Disconnect power from indoor unit when repairing those wires!

 

[RadMan]

Disconnect power from indoor unit when repairing those wires!

Will do, they don’t really move, must have been a mouse my best guess
Thus the reason for the wire screen

 

[azsunfun]

Will do, they don’t really move, must have been a mouse my best guess
Thus the reason for the wire screen

Mice love wire insulation, ants like trails through contactor points.

 

[TrollerDave]

Wow,
Yea that’s dirty, without you mentioning it, I thought that was a dirty piece of sheet metal, the rest looks clean, but that is filthy and clogged. Should I grab a can or 2 of coil cleaner to spray on it first. Do I disconnect power before flushing.

The back side and that side are totally clogged, the front and left are clean as a whistle. I’ve been
Operating at about 50%, looks like.
View attachment 1259486

Wow! Yeah disconnect power before working on that. You don’t want the fan to come on while you’re working on it.
Try to peel or brush that off first. Maybe even use a shop vac. After that you want to hose from the inside out, you don’t want to push anything further into the coil. The top of the unit should have a grill the fan motor is connected to and should come off by unscrewing 6 or so screws. Be careful of the wires to the motor. That should give you access to spray from the inside out. Don’t spray so hard that it bends those fins. You should see the water start dirty and become clear.

 

[rrrr]

Wow,
Yea that’s dirty, without you mentioning it, I thought that was a dirty piece of sheet metal, the rest looks clean, but that is filthy and clogged. Should I grab a can or 2 of coil cleaner to spray on it first. Do I disconnect power before flushing.

The back side and that side are totally clogged, the front and left are clean as a whistle. I’ve been
Operating at about 50%, looks like.
View attachment 1259486

I believe the posts that suggested the high pressure limit switch has tripped were correct.



I don't like using "coil cleaners." They are either acid or alkaline based, and caustic as hell. If the residue isn't completely rinsed out of the fins, they will attack and damage the condenser coil. Remove the fur, vacuum or use a soft bristle brush to knock off the the remaining dirt taking care not to damage the fins, and spray water from inside out until it runs clean.

 

[RadMan]

Well slap my ass and call me Sally!!!!

After deep cleaning the coils, I’m back in business. Thank you for your attention, all of you, especially dezertrider for noticing the elephant in the room.

The problems solved by the pros and semipros on this site are truly amazing. For those of us willing to try and do for ourselves, this place can truly be an asset.

WOW!!!