Air Conditioning - Outside (condenser) unit running constantly!! HELP!!

Well, I guess our electric bill is gonna be sky high!! But that's beside the point... The stupid unit has not worked well since about the second year we had it. Two A/C techs have taken a look at it in the past to no avail. We have at times had to go outside to reset the unit in order to get it up and running again (about 2x to 4x each summer). Now, the thing doesn't want to stop running unless we flip the circuit breaker switch off. My husband is looking for some guidance, what to check out, what could be wrong, etc. Obviously these A/C guys don't seem to know anymore than us about this unit. :wall: Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!! BTW, the reset button would not help to turn the unit off and the insulated line (refrigerant line?) running to the outside unit from the air handler was frosted over.

We need a little more info to get anywhere.

What make and model # is the outdoor unit?

How old is it?

Just recent have you guys changed any wires or t-stat or anything related to the system?

This reset, is it a pressure switch or is it on a control board?

As for the line freezing, is this just happing when the outdoor unit is running, and the indoor is not? If so, this will happen since there is no load on the coil inside (No air movement).

It is a Rheem 10 Seer Heat Pump Model RPKAx036JAZ, and the unit is about 9 years old I believe or somewhere in that ball park. We have never changed any wires or anything such as that. One of the techs tested and "reset" the refrigerant charge or pressure I believe. The reset button is located at the bottom side of the unit; it's a little red button. I had it turned off all night get all the frost off the line.

The only reasons a unit should stay on is either a short in the low voltage wiring or a stuck (welded) contactor.

I have a Trane unit that when the heat is on the air handler and the outside condensor unit is running at the same time? The outside unit should not run at all when heating right? When I switch the unit to the off position with the fan in the auto position it should go off as well. I can go outside and pull the service disconnect on the wall and kill power to it for several minutes but as soon as I put it back in it come right back on? I'm thinking possibly my t-stat is bad? HELP!

Chris
Texas

This is adifferant problem than pushing the reset. Turnthe ac on let it run 5min. Turn the power off to the airhandler at the service switch. If the ac still runs its the contacter. if it doesn't the problems inside. pressure switch After this test turn the ac on take propane torch and burn the coil keep the torch moving. your not trying melt the copper and aluminum. Just the dirt debre in the coil. Turn ac off and wash out with a water hose.

cableguy Do you have a heat pump?

I got out there this morning and was checking the wiring diagram to see if it the run start cap and motor cap were wired correctly and while I was checking everything the contactor let go on it's own. It kind of scared me because I knew I had all the power off and then I saw the contactor move. I cleaned it really good with contactor cleaner but will still probably replace it. Answer to the prior question.... No it is not a heat pump.

Thanks for all your help though. I got lucky. :-)

Chris
Plano, TX

You might as well go ahead & replace the contactor. They are inexpensive & easy to replace. Just be sure to make a diagram of the wiring before you disconnect any of it.