My house has an approx 11,000 BTU wall unit air conditioner, one that I've had for quite awhile, and I think the compressor just went (or recently anyway). 

 

All I am getting right now i the "fan" running, and every now and then it sounds like the compressor is trying to rig up, but it lasts about 5 seconds and then fades out to nothing....

 

Anyone familiar with this sort of thing happening? 

 

I'm guessing replacing the compressor isn't even cost effective at this time and I'll have to shell out the friggin dough to buy a brand new one, right?....

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It's do-able.  Depends on how much you can find the replacement compressor for.  Do a search for the brand and model number and "compressor."

Maybe check the classifieds for an "appliances repair" guy. Might be able to score a salvaged compressor. 

 

Maybe this will help.  http://www.ehow.com/how_8017819_do-compr...-unit.html

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It's do-able.  Depends on how much you can find the replacement compressor for.  Do a search for the brand and model number and "compressor."

Maybe check the classifieds for an "appliances repair" guy. Might be able to score a salvaged compressor. 

 

Maybe this will help.  http://www.ehow.com/how_8017819_do-compr...-unit.html

 

I'm not very tech savvy so it would probably be a disaster if I tried to fix it myself. Is doing it yourself pretty much the only way to cost effectively salvage it?

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I'm not very tech savvy so it would probably be a disaster if I tried to fix it myself. Is doing it yourself pretty much the only way to cost effectively salvage it?

There are likely repairmen that will do it, but you'll be creeping closer to that cost-effectiveness tipping point.  

 

i.e.  - spend $120 fixing it or $220 replacing it?

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Number one rule of emergent maintenance (fixing stuff that just broke): make sure you are fixing what is broke.

 

In other words, make sure that the problem is the compressor and not some other piece-part. The last thing you want to do is fix something that don't need fixing.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

Number one rule of emergent maintenance (fixing stuff that just broke): make sure you are fixing what is broke.

 

In other words, make sure that the problem is the compressor and not some other piece-part. The last thing you want to do is fix something that don't need fixing.

 

Thats a good point, and I will make sure....but I have a pretty good idea that its the compressor....because the fan is still running (or runs), I'm just not getting any cold air, and when the compressor is running you can hear it. (so I don't think its just a case of being out of refrigerant.)

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Sounds to me like it could be the kick start capacitor. Does the compressor actually run, or does it try to start and then quit?  Do you get a 60Hz hum for a second after it tries to kick on?  If the compressor is actually bad and the unit is older, they'll probably want to replace the drier and condenser as well.  Probably better off replacing it.  The newer multi-splits work very well.  

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Sounds to me like it could be the kick start capacitor. Does the compressor actually run, or does it try to start and then quit?  Do you get a 60Hz hum for a second after it tries to kick on?  If the compressor is actually bad and the unit is older, they'll probably want to replace the drier and condenser as well.  Probably better off replacing it.

 

It seems like it tries to run (like its sickly and lethargic) then simply stops and just the fan runs. 

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It seems like it tries to run (like its sickly and lethargic) then simply stops and just the fan runs. 

 

Sounds like it could possible be the kick start cap, which quickly discharges when the compressor starts to get it moving so the line voltage can keep it going.  

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I could take a look at it but you'd have to buy me beer, and that get's expensive. I just repaired a friends unit which was running all the time but not cooling. The condensing unit contactor failed ( a $25 part) and lucky for him I had a spare in my spare parts bin or otherwise he'd have been without A/C all weekend until he could get a repairmen in, which probably would have been $250.

 

At first thought, your compressor might be shutting off for thermal overload, in which case it's probably shot. If the compressor runs for a few minutes then shuts off that's what I would suspect. However, if the compressor just "hums" but never kicks in, then I would suspect the compressor capacitor. A capacitor is only about $8.

 

Take the cover off the control circuit panel and see if you see anything obviously burnt up. Some units carry a soft start thermistor (I have a Carrier which does) and those are notoriously weak. If you see anything obviously burnt up get the nameplate data off of it and order a replacement online. Take a picture of the wiring before disassembling the component so you know where to attach the wires when you get the replacement part.

 

Regards......................the Chiefjag

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I could take a look at it but you'd have to buy me beer, and that get's expensive. I just repaired a friends unit which was running all the time but not cooling. The condensing unit contactor failed ( a $25 part) and lucky for him I had a spare in my spare parts bin or otherwise he'd have been without A/C all weekend until he could get a repairmen in, which probably would have been $250.

 

At first thought, your compressor might be shutting off for thermal overload, in which case it's probably shot. If the compressor runs for a few minutes then shuts off that's what I would suspect. However, if the compressor just "hums" but never kicks in, then I would suspect the compressor capacitor. A capacitor is only about $8.

 

Take the cover off the control circuit panel and see if you see anything obviously burnt up. Some units carry a soft start thermistor (I have a Carrier which does) and those are notoriously weak. If you see anything obviously burnt up get the nameplate data off of it and order a replacement online. Take a picture of the wiring before disassembling the component so you know where to attach the wires when you get the replacement part.

 

Regards......................the Chiefjag

 

It (the compressor) runs for like a 10 seconds (sickly) then shuts off and only the fan runs....after several minutes the same thing will happen again....

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My suspicion is the compressor is shot. It's shutting off on thermal overload. When it shuts off, touch the top of the compressor to verify it's really hot. If it is, it's probably just short of locking up completely.

 

Regards...................the Chiefjag

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My suspicion is the compressor is shot. It's shutting off on thermal overload. When it shuts off, touch the top of the compressor to verify it's really hot. If it is, it's probably just short of locking up completely.

 

Regards...................the Chiefjag

 

So then given the unit is like 20 years old, should I just purchase a new one or just try to replace to compressor. 

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So then given the unit is like 20 years old, should I just purchase a new one or just try to replace to compressor. 

 

20 years old??  Shoot it and then leave it at the curb for the waste haulers.  You fix the compressor and then something else goes wrong.  

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20 years old??  Shoot it and then leave it at the curb for the waste haulers.  You fix the compressor and then something else goes wrong.  

 

OK, then any recommendations for a quality new 11,000 BTU air conditioner at a good price?

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OK, then any recommendations for a quality new 11,000 BTU air conditioner at a good price?

 

Is this a wall-split unit?  (compressor separate from the blower unit)  If so, you could hang meat in front of the Mitsubishi unit in the cabana I was staying in while working in Honduras.  And it was remote controlled.

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Is this a wall-split unit?  (compressor separate from the blower unit)  If so, you could hang meat in front of the Mitsubishi unit in the cabana I was staying in while working in Honduras.  And it was remote controlled.

 

I'm guessing it wasn't a wall split unit. Its just your regular wall unit air conditioner. All the parts were in the same housing  of the air conditioner, (blower/ compressor/ etc) 

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I'm guessing it wasn't a wall split unit. Its just your regular wall unit air conditioner. All the parts were in the same housing  of the air conditioner, (blower/ compressor/ etc) 

 

The split units are very quiet.  Once you make a decision on what you want just start comparing prices around the retailers.

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Yeah, I have to agree. If it's 20 years old it's likely to start leaking refrigerant in the evaporator, the fan motor is near it's useful life, and other components are just a RCH away from failure.

 

The new A/C units will be so much more efficient that you'll likely recover the cost of one through electrical savings in a couple of years. My buddy replaced his old central A/C unit 3 years ago with a new one for around $3500 and his electric bill dropped from $400 per month to $170.

 

Regards...................the Chiefjag

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TMD ... Youtube is like a repair bible, you can learn to fix everything on youtube, except a flux capacitor. I think.

 

I have around 70 ish repair video's on youtube .... because I can fix 70 things in total. Most of them pertain to the female body, the other 69 are not. 

 

 

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