AC unit won't turn off

[mcheevy]

My unit began running all the time even when stat is not calling for it. This morning condenser and line set were iced over. I turned off at stat and it still runs. I turned it off at panel. Tonight after thaw I turned breaker back on and consenser didn't start. I fired up at stat for 1 degree. When furnace fan stopped condenser didn't. Now it runs all the time even when kicking breaker off and back on. It appears to be cooling adequately. Any tips or should I call in the pros? Thanks.

[hiltontech]

Check out your contactor, sounds to be it stuck closed.
Remove your side panel where the contactor is located and inspect it there, turn the breaker off and using a volt meter make sure you have no power going to it, easy change out, just make sure to pay attention where the wires go before removing it in case you have to change it out.

HiltonTech

[mattison]

A good tip is to take a digital picture of it wired in case you forget where something goes.

[mcheevy]

Thanks for the great advice. I pulled the cover this AM and a garter snake had crawled in and gotten fried. It was resting against the magnet and the contacts were toast. I picked a contactor up on the way in to work this morning ($21.00) and I'm sitting in comfort again tonight. BTW I did make a drawing of the wiring first. Thanks again!

[hiltontech]

Glad to hear your cooing again.

HiltonTech