Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Ruud Acheiver - Fan and Compressor not starting

I have a Ruud Acheiver Heat Pump. When I lower the Temp on the Thermostat, there is no cool air. The Indoor fan works, however, the Compressor and the Outdoor fan do not work.

I verified the thermostat triggers the compressor switch. I also hear faint buzzing noise (coming from the compressor switch, I believe) however the fan and the compressor do not start up. The fan is not stuck.

As I understand it, there should always be 220V to the compressor switch lead. This is true when the compressor switch is NOT engaged. However, when I turn on the A/C from the Thermostat, and the compressor switch is engaged, I no longer have power at the compressor switch lead.

I spoke with a Parts supplier and he said it didn't sound like a problem with the switch but rather an electrical problem. Does that sound accurate? Is there anything that could happen to the Heat Pump that would cause the Electrical source to drop at the compressor switch lead or does in fact sound like an electrical issue?

If you mean the 24V could be the defrost board. If you push the contactor in will the compressor run ?? So do you have 24V at the contactor?? does it pull in?? Do you have 220V on the line from it to the compressor???

you may want to call a service company.
If you are not familiar with electrical components it's best to call someone who is.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on your reply...

I do have 24V at the Contactor. The thermostat does trigger the contactor on/off if that's what you mean by "pull in"...Also, if I push the contactor in, the compressor and fan do NOT run. I have no voltage going to the compressor or the fan.


If you mean the 24V could be the defrost board. If you push the contactor in will the compressor run ?? So do you have 24V at the contactor?? does it pull in?? Do you have 220V on the line from it to the compressor???

Since neither the fan nor the compressor work, check the dual capacitor.

You state that you have 230V coming to the contactor, but it does not make it to the compressor. Is this correct?

There may be a reset switch on the compressor, but if that were the case
your condenser fan would still work.

I do have 244 V going to the contactor. There is no Voltage going to the compressor and the reset switch on the compressor didn't help. I will check the dual capacitor...


Since neither the fan nor the compressor work, check the dual capacitor.

You state that you have 230V coming to the contactor, but it does not make it to the compressor. Is this correct?

There may be a reset switch on the compressor, but if that were the case
your condenser fan would still work.

Do you have 220V comeing off the contactor????? Could have bad points on it.

I have replaced the contactor with an identical one from my other RUUD Heat Pump...same result. there is not 220V coming off the contactor...

Do you have 220V to the in --side of the contacror??????

The problem was the cut-off switch and not the Heat Pump.

The contacts were bad and after I replaced that I didn't have any problems.

Scott