If you notice your AC's condenser isn't kicking on as it should, it's time to call an air conditioning repair service. The parts in the condenser are essential for circulating refrigerant, so your house won't get cool unless all the parts are functioning. Here are problems that can keep the AC from working.

The Thermostat Signal Isn't Reaching The Condenser

When the temperature gets too high in your house, the thermostat triggers the air conditioner to start. A signal is sent to the control board and then to the contactor in the condenser so the fan and compressor start up. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, a wire is bad, a contact is loose, or the control board is bad, then the contactor in the condenser won't receive a signal to start up.

An air conditioning repair technician can test for power at points along the pathway from the thermostat to the condenser to find the faulty part. They might need to tighten a wire or replace a wire that's damaged. The technician might need to replace the control board if it's faulty. A thermostat can sometimes be repaired, but it needs to be replaced if it isn't working properly and can't be fixed.

The Contactor Isn't Passing Along The Signal

The thermostat triggers the contactor to send power to the capacitor in the condenser. The capacitor then sends power to the fan motor and compressor to help them start. If the contactor is bad, it won't send the start signal to the capacitor.

The air conditioning repair technician can test the contactor with a multimeter to determine if it's bad. If so, it can be replaced. The contactor has many wires connected to it, but it's easy to find and remove from the condenser.

The repair technician may also check the capacitor to make sure it isn't bad. However, even if the capacitor is malfunctioning, the fan and compressor may attempt to start. That's because the condenser is also powered by electricity from the electrical panel and disconnect box.

The Condenser Isn't Getting Electrical Power

If there are no thermostat issues, the problem might be with the electrical power. If no power is going into the condenser, the parts can't operate. A lack of power could be due to a blown fuse in the disconnect box. Replacing a fuse is an easy job for an AC technician. The problem might also be with the electrical panel. The panel or the circuit breaker may need to be reset.

In order for the condenser parts to turn on and start circulating refrigerant, there has to be electrical power and a signal from the thermostat. If either of these is missing, the technician has to track down the issue and fix it to get your AC working again. 

Contact a local AC repair service to learn more. 

Share