Strange AC issue, contactor makes a clicking noise every minute but AC doesn't start.?

anonymousanonymous
in Home & Garden

My AC will not cool and I can hear a clicking noise coming from my contactor. I can push the button in and it starts fine. I found that if I tap lightly on the side, it will start on its own so I replaced it and the capacitor but I still have the same issue. If I tap the side it will work, Compressor and Fan will run for a long time. I wonder if its not getting enough voltage to fully engage the contactor? I have a 1994 rudd and it is related to my upstairs AC.

Any help is welcome!

Update:

Thanks for all of your help! After turning my house upside down looking for my multimeter :) - I checked the voltage and I have 27 volts so I checked and tighten my connections, turned it on and it started right away. This is normal, I will know by morning. If it continues I will get a new contactor, I dont think they will take the old one back.

Thanks Again! you guys are awesome.

Comments

  • missymissy

    your thermostat tells the contactor when to pull the contactor in to start the compressor and fan. You need 25 v to do this. On the contactor it is the small wires tha attach to each side of the contactor where the winding is. Unplug the 240v at the disconnect outside and check for 25 v to the contactor windings. If you don't have a full 25 v I would look to see if there are breaks or loose connections between the wiring from the air handler to the outside unit. If that is fine test the transformer on the secondary side to see if you are putting out the 25 v needed. If you need more help contact me. Good luck

  • boeboe

    With Ohm meter check and see if your A. getting 24V at the actual contactor where the two thermostat wires hook up. B. Make sure your getting 24V from stat wire.

    Its possible you may have got a new bad contactor that wont pull in.

    Also make sure all your connections are tight.

    Sounds like a bad new contactor out of the box which would not surprise me. Its not super common, but not uncommon if that makes sense.

  • big-fellabig-fella

    Voltage could be an issue or you can check the aux contacts if you have not done so.

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