Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Fan & compressor not running

I have a Goodman heatpump model # CPLJ30-1B

I went out tonight for about 5 hours & when I returned home it was 83 in the house with the T stat set at 77, the inside fan was running but when I went outside the unit was not running.

I turned the unit off & turned it back on 1 hour later, when I went outside the unit wasn't running so I took a long screwdriver & gave the fan blade a nudge & it started to run, but I couldn't hear the compressor running & I wasn't getting any cold air from the duckwork, after standing next to the outside unit for awhile I could hear a humming sound that would last for a second or two every couple of minutes.

I'm looking for any suggestions as to what may have gone wrong & what & how to check it.
I don't have any experience with heatpumps but I do have some experience with auto AC & I'm ASE certified for refrigerants.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I would begin by replacing your run capacitor. Its jprovides a boost of power to overcome the inertia needed to get your fan and compressor moving.

Sounds like you you have a capacitor that has went bad. Older Goodmans had that issue.

You'll have to power down the outside unit, open the service cabinet, remove the old capacitor "take a digital picture or make not of the wire locations". Take the capacitor to a motor shop, Grainger, Johnstone, HVAC supply store, etc... and have them match it up for you. Re-install it and repower it. Should work.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e83/mattison67/sf219.gif

Dac beat me... :)

Sounds like you you have a capacitor that has went bad. Older Goodmans had that issue.

You'll have to power down the outside unit, open the service cabinet, remove the old capacitor "take a digital picture or make not of the wire locations". Take the capacitor to a motor shop, Grainger, Johnstone, HVAC supply store, etc... and have them match it up for you. Re-install it and repower it. Should work.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e83/mattison67/sf219.gif

Dac beat me... :)

I kind of had a feeling that might be what was wrong when I was able to get the fan to run by moving it with a screwdriver, but I wasn't sure one capacitor worked the fan & compressor.

Don't I need to discharge the capacitor before removing it?
How do I go about doing that? I really don't feel like getting zapped.

I downloaded a service manual & it mentioned to discharge it first.

This unit isn't real old, the house was built in 2004 & I've been in it since 2007.

Dac beat me... :)

You are clearly one of those hard-working moderators that doesn't just sip coffee and eat donuts. Sorry to have stolen your thunder. ;)

A big thanks guys, the problem is solved & you hit the nail on the head.
I purchased a new capacitor for $18 + tax & it only took a few minutes to install.
Thanks again.
Mark