Air Conditioning - Air Handler Works/Outside Unit Does Not

I have a Carrier/Puron Refrigerant Air Condition Unit (Model# 38EYG048301) and it stopped working several days ago. The Air Handler (Model# FK4DNB006000AAAA) works fine. I've checked the Condensation line and there wasn't a backflow of water but I still took a garden hose and water-pressured the line to remove debris. It still does not work. In about 10-15 minute intervals I hear a sound coming from the unit as though its about to turn on but I never see the fan turn and the sound eventually stops. What could be my problem?
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Most likely the sound you hear outside is the compressor trying to start. Try spinning the fan blade, will it move?

Yes, I turned the fan blades and the blades started turning slowly and after about 15 seconds the blades turned at maximum speed like normal. Does this mean there is something wrong with the blades?

Most likely the sound you hear outside is the compressor trying to start. Try spinning the fan blade, will it move?
Yes, I turned the fan blades and the blades started turning slowly and after about 15 seconds the blades turned at maximum speed like normal. Does this mean there is something wrong with the blades?

Yes, I turned the fan blades and the blades started turning slowly and after about 15 seconds the blades turned at maximum speed like normal. Does this mean there is something wrong with the blades?
I also meant to add, because of your advice it works fine now but does that mean there is something wrong with the fan or fan blades? Please advise

Its probably the capacitor, which is what "kick starts" the fan and compressor. When you say it's working fine...are you getting cold air? Or did you mean that the fan is running?

If you are comfortable taking off the top of the outside unit and making a few basic electrical check and connections...the parts probably wouldn't be more than $20.

Its probably the capacitor, which is what "kick starts" the fan and compressor. When you say it's working fine...are you getting cold air? Or did you mean that the fan is running?

If you are comfortable taking off the top of the outside unit and making a few basic electrical check and connections...the parts probably wouldn't be more than $20.
Yes, I'm getting cold air. I don't mind taking off the unit. How do I replace the capacitor? Where would I get the parts?

I quoted this from a post by daddyjohn.....
"To replace the capacitor- turn off the power to the unit. Make a good sketch of where the wires go on the capacitor and take a digital photo as well if you have a camera. Discharge the capacitor by plcing an old screwdriver across the terminals, remove the wires and remove the capacitor. It should have some numbers on it. You're looking for the uf or mfd rating [uf and mfd mean the same thing, just 2 different ways of saying microfarads] and the vac rating. For example, it might say 30/5 uf 370 vac. On the new capacitor you want the same uf rating. For vac you can go up but not down. Example- if your cap is 30/5 uf 370 vac, the new one can be 30/5 uf 370 or 440 vac, but if your cap is 30/5 uf 440 vac, the new one has to be 30/5 uf 440 vac not 370 vac. motor runs caps on a/c units only come in 2 vac flavors- 370 and 440. So, install the new cap and monitor unit for operation."

The capacitor will be either behind an access panel or you may need to remove the top cover with the fan motor attached. There will be a number of heavy gauge wires attached to it. It will look like a round or oval "can" normally held by a clamp.
Its normally easy to see if its bad, the top or sides will be bulged or corroded, and there may be an oily substance leaking out.

You should be able to find the part at an HVAC supply shop or an appliance repair parts store that sells A/C accessories.

Be sure and turn off power at the breaker or disconnect, the voltage can injure or kill you.

Most likely the fan motor bearings are worn. Was the fan hard to push at first?

Most likely the fan motor bearings are worn. Was the fan hard to push at first?
No, it was not hard to push at all. Does this mean its still the capacitor?

Yes..go with the cap. If the motor started, spun and operated with a push, it's probably ok. When you pull things apart to replace the cap you can check if the fan is real worn. Check for wobble, noise, anything that seems out of spec. Be careful not to bend or damage the fan blades. You may also see a small clip on one of the blades..thats for balancing, don't disturb it.

Yes..go with the cap. If the motor started, spun and operated with a push, it's probably ok. When you pull things apart to replace the cap you can check if the fan is real worn. Check for wobble, noise, anything that seems out of spec. Be careful not to bend or damage the fan blades. You may also see a small clip on one of the blades..thats for balancing, don't disturb it.

Enclosed are links to photos to show what the condenser's control panel looks like with the run capacitor and the hard start capacitor for the compressor. The Run/Start Capacitor is a GE Model# 97F9816(60/5 MFD, 370VAC,+/-6% tolerance). Do I need to replace both the run/start capacitor(silver capacitor on the left of the photo) and the compressor hard start capacitor(power boost capacitor on the right of the run/start cap in photo)? Please advise?

http://www.diychatroom.com/members/g8tkeeper-56796/albums/air-condition-unit/1943-airconditionunit-001a.jpg

http://www.diychatroom.com/members/g8tkeeper-56796/albums/air-condition-unit/1945-airconditionunit-005a.jpg

http://www.diychatroom.com/members/g8tkeeper-56796/albums/air-condition-unit/1944-airconditionunit-004a.jpg

The silver capacitor is a RUN capacitor. It looks bulged at the top. The hard start capacitor is an aftermarket part [not from Carrier]. It was installed either because the original start thermistor failed or the unit came without a ST and they installed the hard start kit instead of the CARRIER ST. At this juncture I would replace both and see if the unit will start up.

The silver capacitor is a RUN capacitor. It looks bulged at the top. The hard start capacitor is an aftermarket part [not from Carrier]. It was installed either because the original start thermistor failed or the unit came without a ST and they installed the hard start kit instead of the CARRIER ST. At this juncture I would replace both and see if the unit will start up.

Thanks to you and for "gunguy45" help. I will try it and let you all know if it works. If it does, it will save me quite a bit of money.

I replaced the Run Capacitor and the unit works fine now. Thanks for your great expertise and help "daddyjohn" and "gunguy45".

Good to hear..glad you're cooled off now.

Thank you guys so much!! My air conditioner did the exact same thing tonight and I was able to figure it out thanks to you all. I just have to go out and give the blades a nudge and it starts right up. will have to just keep doing that until I get a repair guy out here. My insurance covers it so i'm not going to bother trying to do it myself, but I probably could with the advice given here. I'll at least tell them that the fan won't start on it's own so it's probably the capacitor.

Again, thank you very much! I thought for sure I was going to have to suffer through this heat and humidity. It's been down right miserable here in Houston the last couple weeks.