AC Capacitor Or Another Problem? (And What Type Of Capacitor?)

air-conditioningcentral-airhvac

I'm wondering if anyone can help me identify the issue here:

My AC went out. I'm positive there's a capacitor problem since I can actually kickstart the fan motor but it doesn't have any effect on cooling, which made me think that the capacitor (or another one) may also be required to start the compressor. That brings two questions:

  • Is there anyway I can identify the capacitor (or capacitors) from the label without having to open up the casing? (it's raining, not due pure laziness)

  • Anyway that I can diagnose a bad compressor, or leak knowing that the capacitor is bad, without changing the capacitor? (I don't hear the compressor humming after I kickstart the fan or before.)

Here's the only label I could find:

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Best Answer

You are probably correct on it being the capacitor. Most time the compressor and ODM (outdoor fan motor) capacitor are combined into one. If you can get that capacitor out (looks like a small tin can with 3 prongs coming out the top) and it looks puffy, most likely bad. You can easily check this if you have a decent multi meter like a Fluke. Otherwise just take this one with you to your closest AC supply house and get a new one. If nothing else, you will have eliminated this very common issue. I've replaced mine even though they haven't failed but were showing some signs of puffiness.

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