My Rights As An American Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Stormed knocked out power to my house last night for a few hours. When it turned back on at 11:30, the air conditioner was not blowing cold air, just the fan circulating air. About every 1-2 minutes, there is a loud but short noise that sounds a bit like a woodpecker on metal that sounds like it is coming from the air conditioner unit. Sounds like two metal pieces grinding briefly. Help, my family is hot! Unit is from the late 70s or early 80s. Need to fix it to save money for new one! Any ideas? Is the noise the compressor trying to turn on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muleybowhunter Report post Posted August 9, 2018 have you looked at the run cap? could have shorted it out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
My Rights As An American Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Sorry, no idea what that is. The sound is causing a big power draw each time. Sounds like something trying to turn on. Lasts about one second every 1-2 minutes. Is there a reset or breaker on the roof unit usually? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
My Rights As An American Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Ok, looked up a run capacitor. Definitely could be the problem. Lots of hard starts after the power went on and off many times through the storm. Should I just call an a/c repair company or is that a common part that is easy to replace? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
My Rights As An American Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Near BassPro, any recommended air conditioner repair companies not shady near me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brademan76 Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Local, small independent kid took care of me really well last year: Brent 480-430-8324 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AverageJoe Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Any AC company will charge you around $200 at a minimum...start capacitors only cost around $10. Was the unit running fine before this? Was there any unusual noise or issues yesterday before the storm> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
My Rights As An American Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Any AC company will charge you around $200 at a minimum...start capacitors only cost around $10. Was the unit running fine before this? Was there any unusual noise or issues yesterday before the storm> No problems at all before the storms knocked it out. Yes, it is old like me, and makes a few random noises every now and then like me, but overall it was working just fine without any real issues. Storms came and power came and went a few times. Then when power returned late at night, it started making that noise immediately and no cold air. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Hopefully just a capacitor. The compressor is the only component that will cause a major power draw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ctafoya Report post Posted August 9, 2018 One of my units did the same thing a few years ago, but without the power failure. A crimp came off one of the tabs for the cap and it was arking to the housing. Put on a new crimp and it was good to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Make sure you don't touch the wiring tabs on the top of the Capacitor with bare hands. Unless the cap is discharged, you will know what it feels like to be Tasered. Its an easy fix if it is just a Cap. The blower motor in the air handling unit, will often have a run start capacitor also. Is the wood pecker sound coming from the condensing unit outside, or do you hear the sound from inside the house close to the Unit? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterjohnny Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Home Depot carries them. Read on discharging them before you remove the old one, they can retain energy. If that i the issue it really isnt hard just shut off all breakers. My units are older and two years ago when mine went bad I got an extra for each unit just in case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted August 9, 2018 CoolTouch. PM sent 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Yep I would check the flux capacitor, thats sounds exactly what happen when mine went out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss50 Report post Posted August 9, 2018 Comfort Experts - Ryan - 480-628-0965 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
