Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Rheem Outdoor Condensor Unit Load Clicking

Hello, I have a loud clicking on and off from my outdoor unit. It's a Rheem IX Heat Pump, could be 15 years old, not sure. The intermittent clicking or knocking is coming from the rear corner of the unit. It will start, last maybe 10 minutes then quit. 10 minutes or so later it will start back up again. Anyway to test to see if this is a motor gong bad? Thanks in advance. Take care.

Can you say if it is in the fan ? Or is it the compressor that is on and off. Does the whole unit shut off????

ED ;)

Sounds like you are about to loose a contactor or a relay to a bad coil. Does it sound like a chattering noise? I would access the electrical componenet making the noise and make sure all your connections are tight.

15 years is a good life for a unit around here. If it is original parts inside then whatever is chattering is getting weak. 15 years of constant vibration from the unit running can loosen some connections too :)

Does the AUX light on your thermostat go on and off when it does the clicking?

Our RHEEM heat pump is about 12 to 13 years old and we have been hearing a loud clicking from the outside unit. It is very loud outside and is at a constant rate. Reminds me of the sound that my bicycle wheels used to make when I put straws or cards in the spokes (but much louder than that). We've had the contactor replaced twice in the last 6 years (although once a bug shorted it out and I don't think the tech actually replaced the contactor) and a new compressor installed about 3 years ago. Any advice on how to deal with this to make the unit last a few more months? We live in Mobile, AL so our winters are short!

LisaH
Id say you have to pin down the click more. Does it do it on AC????Then someone can say what to try or do

Ed,
The clicking does not occur when the A/C is on and it doesn't occur when just the fan is on. Only occurs with the heat. Thx

Not there so: The only thing Im think could it be the 4 way valve with a short in the tstat wires?????Does the sound of the gas change when it clicks

There is a short hissing sound that accompanies the click. I assume that's the gas sound you're talking about? The 4 way valve is the reversing valve? If this is what's going on, does it hurt to run the heating until we get it fixed? And is this a costly fix? Thanks so much for your help Ed.

This is still a guess. But Id check out the 24V wire from the tstat to the outside. Then check out the defrost board. Not sure what is making that 4 way click. but from what you said .I think thats the click

There is a short hissing sound that accompanies the click.