My air conditioning unit has stopped working. The AC UNIT outside doesn't work (it is not spinning)?

Question

i dont know what happened i did nothing different then usual but the unit outside just doesnt spin anymore i dont know what to do its 110F out side i have to little fans but its not much

the ac is like in starting mode and but wont start all the way it starts to blow air (room temp) like it does normally for a min or two before it starts up and the unit outside starts to spin but the outside units is not starting up for some reason

is there anything i can do with out calling for repair service if not, do you know what is wrong with it

Answer 1

Could be a capacitor or relay (also called contactor).

You need to have knowledge of electricty and a multi-meter, also tools rated to protect you from electricity.

First see if you hear a buzzing noise from the outside unit.  If so check the relay (contactor) to see if you are getting 240 volts on both of the opposite ends.  If you are it may be the capacitor or maybe the compressor.

You can test the activation terminals of the relay (contactor) to make sure it is good.   An ohm reading of 20 or less is good, if nothing you need a new relay.

Not sure of the ohm reading for the capacitor.

You can also test the compressor for a short after turning off the electricity to the unit.

There should be a white, black and green (or bare) wire.  Ohm test the black to the green and the white to the green, if you get a reading other than nothing than it is shorted.

You can ohm test  the black to the white and get a low reading, maybe .9 to 10, if nothing then the motor in the compressor is shot.

Usually it is the relay.

Be very careful testing these.

Answer 2

It sounds like a sensor is detecting a failure in the system, and shutting it down.  What failed, though, is anyone's guess.  You could check the breakers, and look for any fuses or reset buttons on the system.  Check the fan in the heat exchanger outside to see if anything is blocking it.  If you can't see anything obvious, it's time to either call the repair company, or roll yourself over and baste yourself.  

110F?  Yeow...

Answer 3

It would be hard to tell without looking at it, It might have either a high or a low pressure switch on it.  If pressure getts too high (because of a dirty condensor or a bad condensor fan) it will shut off the outside unit.  If the pressure gets too low (because of a dirty evaporator, bad evaporator fan, or a leak) it will shut off the unit out side.  It might have tripped the breaker on the outside becasue of the high heat load.    First check the breaker to the unit, see if it is triped.  if not, try cleaning the condensor with a water hose.  anything else will take a service tech.  feel free to email me anymore questions, I may be able to walk you though it.  

Refrigeration Tech

Brad