Air Conditioning - Compressor question

I checked the breaker and that was open so I suspected an overload. Took out the outside breaker and checked the dual capacitor, ok, checked the relay the contacts were ok and the 24 volts was present to the relay coil. I disconnected the compressor motor lead, black/white trace and put the breaker back in. The two blowers worked but there was a sudden bang and what looked like steam but probably freon came billowing out of the unit. Did I blow a pipe in the compressor system or is there a pressure relief valve.:eek:

Chuffed
This really should be posted in the A/C section in a new thread. Maybe a Mod will move it, but I'd repost over there.

btw..No relief valves in residential A/C's that I've ever heard of.

I moved over here for the OP to get this in the correct area.

Now for the Air condition freon compressor for the resdential units there is no extreal relief valve at all.


This kind of repair will be done by HVAC contractor due they have right equiment to repair and replace damaged parts as need to.

Merci,Marc

you blew the freon charge out,if the CB was tripped the compressor caused it and by the time you did your checking around then repowered the compressor cooled off and when you repowered it BANG:eek: the terminals blew out from a short on the windings.if you look into the terminal box on the compressor it might be black and acid smelling.the reason the terminals blow out,and not a pipe within is the heat of the short at where the windings wrap around each other just inside the terminal connections.if the compressor was over amping you would see it on that contactor in the condenser prior to the blow-out.Peeping On U2

Thanks Gunguy for that, I'm new and just been disabled with double vision so I'm trying to work with one eye.

I looked at the compressor and it's blown a terminal off and burnt some insulation so can the compressor be repaired and recharged, thank you.:damputer:

Sounds like terminal came off during a start:madhell: ......if the condenser was running when the terminal blew/shorted it might of looked like freon spraying up thru the fan,and in reality could of been just the smoke from the short.:thumbup: if the compressor terminal screw on or slip to take the wire is entact your closer to fixiing it.cut the burnt wire....add new slip or eyelet stake-on,and check all the connected wires in and around that area. put the stat to system OFF/fan ON get out by the condenser and have somebody call the cooling in ......it will run or pop the breaker inside /and or outside.........good luck

Only one of two posabilities.

1. loose terminal over amping. Cross your fingers.

2. Compressor is dead. How's your credit?

You just experienced an electrical failure of the terminal block of your compressor the only resolution is compressor or condensor replacement. This is a burnout and requires special replacement techniques, you will need to call an experienced professional.