3 Times You Might Need Air Conditioning Repairs For A Problem With The Compressor

The compressor in your air conditioner is one of the most expensive parts, so you might panic when you suspect your AC is having compressor problems. The compressor is designed to last for many years, so your AC might be old and worn out by the time the compressor goes bad.

That's one reason an AC repair service might recommend replacing your air conditioner rather than sinking money in a new compressor. However, sometimes repairs are possible. Here's a look at three compressor problems that might be repairable.

1. A Bad Capacitor Keeps The Motor From Starting

If the compressor doesn't kick on when your AC starts, but you hear a humming noise, that could mean the capacitor is bad. The capacitor stores power, so the compressor has an extra boost of power when it first starts up. When the capacitor is bad, the compressor may not be able to start.

Fortunately, replacing a bad capacitor is a comparatively inexpensive type of air conditioning repair. The part is fairly inexpensive, and replacing it is an easy job for an AC technician. Capacitors don't last nearly as long as compressors, so it's not uncommon for one to go bad.

It's important to keep in mind that running your AC when the capacitor is bad makes the compressor struggle to try to turn on, and that could eventually cause damage to the compressor, which is something you want to avoid.

2. The Wiring Is Damaged

The compressor has wiring hookups that can come loose or go bad. If the wiring shorts or has bad connections, the compressor can't operate properly. An air conditioning repair technician can test the compressor and the wiring to narrow down the problem.

As long as the bad wiring hasn't caused damage to the compressor, then replacing the wiring or fixing the electrical problem may be all that's needed and you can avoid replacing the compressor for the time being.

3. The Compressor Overheats

If the compressor gets too hot, it will shut down and stop working. If this happens, the repair technician has to uncover the reason for overheating. The compressor may start back up as soon as it's cooled down, but the problem can happen again if the air conditioner is malfunctioning.

If the outdoor temperature is extremely hot, that could contribute to the problem. Dirty condenser coils, a wiring problem, a pressurization problem, and a loss of refrigerant can also cause the compressor to overheat. The air conditioning repair person may need to make repairs to other parts of the condenser before it's safe to turn your AC on or the compressor might be damaged.

While these types of compressor problems might be repairable, if the compressor itself burns out or has a major malfunction, it will probably need to be replaced. For more troubleshooting tips, contact an air conditioning repair service.