• Should outdoor fan and compressor always start together?

    Oct.31.2011

    My air conditioning compressor had to be replaced recently. To my knowledge everything always worked properly with the old compressor. Now, when the thermostat calls for cooling, the indoor furnace blower fan kicks on and the outdoor unit condenser fan and compressor start up at the same time like they are supposed to about half of the time, but the other half of the time the condenser fan starts first (along with the indoor blower fan) and runs for a couple of minutes before the compressor kicks on. Shouldn't the outdoor fan and compressor always start together? What could cause this?

    Clyde, Elliott, IL

    The compressor is having trouble starting properly. It probably tries to start and is delayed when a thermal overload senses that the compressor is drawing high current and failing to start. It then resets after a few minutes and starts correctly on another attempt. This can be caused by a weak run capacitor or defective start relay or defective capacitor if so equipped. Although it’s possible, the least likely worst case is a defective new compressor. A qualified technician would need to diagnose the cause of the compressor’s failure to start at times. I suggest you contact a professional HVAC contractor, like the ARS/Rescue Rooter branch in Lafayette, IL at (765) 447-7661, for a free estimate.  

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