Troubleshooting Central Air Conditioners - How to Repair

Central air conditions will need some professional maintenance, but there are many minor problems that you can easily fix yourself. If your central a/c unit isn't working properly, look for the problem you're experiencing on this chart and see if it's a do-it-yourself job.

CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Condenser doesn't run	1. No power.	1. Check for blown fuses or tripped     circuit breakers at main entrance     panel or at separate entrance     panel; restore circuit.
	2. Thermostat set     too high.	2. Lower thermostat setting 5°.
	3. Motor faulty.	3. Call a professional.
	4. Compressor     faulty.	4. Call a professional.
Uneven cooling	1. Distribution     system out of     balance.	1. Balance system.
Inadequate cooling	1. Thermostat set     too high.	1. Lower thermostat setting 5°.
	2. Evaporator dirty.	2. Clean evaporator
	3. Unit too small.	3. Replace with larger unit;     call a professional.
Unit doesn't	1. Thermostat set	1. Lower thermostat setting 5°.
cool	too high.
	2. Condenser dirty.	2. Clean condenser coil and fins;
		if necessary, straighten fins.
	3. Condenser unit	3. Remove debris blocking condenser;
	blocked.	cut down weeds, grass, and vines.
	4. Evaporator dirty.	4. Clean evaporator.
	5. Compressor faulty.	5. Call a professional.
	6. Not enough     refrigerant in system.	6. Call a professional.
Condenser unit turns on and off repeatedly	1. Condenser dirty. 2. Condenser unit     blocked.	1. Clean condenser coil and fins. 2. Remove debris blocking condenser;     cut down weeds, grass, and vines.
	3. Evaporator dirty.	3. Clean evaporator.

A dirty evaporator is a common problem. On the next page you'll learn how to access the evaporator and clean it properly.

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