The first thing you should do is check your breaker panel for any tripped breakers. You may need to replace any blown fuses, mainly if the unit has been inactive for a long time.

It’s essential to have a reasonable multimeter before proceeding with AC troubleshooting. It’s relatively simple to learn to use one.

Thermostat

The thermostat is responsible for communicating your preferred settings to the HVAC equipment, so if it’s malfunctioning, it can affect how warm or cool your home is. Luckily, it’s one of the more accessible parts to troubleshoot. You can determine what’s wrong with your thermostat using simple testing and cleaning methods.

First, turn off the power to the thermostat by flipping the breaker that is associated with it. This will prevent any accidental tripping and causing your system to shut down. Next, please remove your thermostat’s cover and gently brush it with a cloth to remove any dust or dirt that has settled on it. This is a common cause of malfunctioning thermostats, as it can interfere with electrical connections.

It’s also possible that your thermostat simply isn’t receiving power. A dead battery, a blown fuse, or a tripped circuit breaker could cause this. Once you’ve checked all these items, you can use a multimeter to check continuity at the thermostat wires. The wires will be screwed into terminals marked R (red), W (white), G (green) or Y.

If the continuity test shows that the red power wire isn’t connected to the green fan wire, jump them together. This bypassing the thermostat can help you identify if it’s the issue. Working around electrical components can be dangerous, so it’s recommended that you consult a professional for any tasks that require removing your thermostat and touching exposed wiring.

Condensate Pump

Like any other appliance in your home, your air conditioner is subject to breakdowns. One of the most common breakdowns is the condensate pump, which drains all the water that builds up on your air conditioner. This is necessary for any AC system and a frustrating AC repair in Mesquite, TX.

A condensate pump transfers the water accumulating on an air conditioning system to a floor drain or outside when a gravity (or downhill-sloping) drain line isn’t possible. This is typically the case in homes with an air handler in the basement.

As the water rises in the collection tank, it lifts a float, activating the pump to siphon it to the exterior or a floor drain. Once the float drops again, it’s shut off. This is designed to prevent the pump from overflowing water dripping all over your home.

To determine if the condensate pump is faulty, the first step is to turn off your air conditioner and then shut off power at the breaker panel. Once this is done, remove the cover to expose the condensate pump receptacle. Carefully inspect the float for damage or blockage. If the float is stuck, gently tap it until it moves freely to reactivate the pump.

Condenser Fan Motor

The condenser fan motor is an integral part of your HVAC system that blows air across the condenser coil, transforming refrigerant from a piping hot gas into a liquid solution. If this component fails, your air conditioning unit won’t be able to function correctly.

Performing regular AC maintenance and testing the motor for proper functionality can help prevent this from happening. Knowing the basics of testing your AC condenser fan motor can help you diagnose issues quickly and effectively.

Before conducting any tests, it’s essential to ensure the power supply is turned off to avoid potential electrical shock. Once this is done, you can inspect the electrical wiring to identify any problems with the motor.

The first step is to test the wires for continuity using a multimeter and its ohm setting. To do this, touch one probe of the multimeter to each of the wires attached to the motor. If the ohm reading is low or there’s no reading, there’s likely an issue with the motor itself.

You can also check if the motor shaft is obstructed by spinning it manually. If the shaft doesn’t spin freely, it will likely need to be replaced. When the time comes to replace it, you must follow the appropriate steps safely and efficiently.

Capacitor

An air conditioner capacitor is one of the most essential parts of any cooling system. It gives the AC compressor the initial energy needed to start running and provides the continuous power necessary for proper cooling operation.

If the capacitor fails, your AC may struggle to work and eventually shut down. The best way to diagnose a bad capacitor is to determine if it’s bulging or leaking. If it is, you’ll need to replace it.

You can also test the capacitance of an AC capacitor with a multimeter. It will need to be discharged first, though, so you can measure the value of its electrolyte. Once you know the cap’s specification, you can buy a replacement that matches or exceeds it.

When the capacitor is damaged, it can’t correctly send power to the compressor or fan motor. If left unaddressed, overheating and other issues can cause your system to fail. The capacitor can be found inside the condenser unit, and the most accessible method of reaching it is using a screwdriver to open the side panel on the AC unit. It’s a reasonably easy job, but we recommend you hire a professional to do it for you.