How To Repair Room Air Conditioners Overview

The coils, the compressor, and the motor of a room air conditioner are sealed components, so any repairs to them should be left to a professional service person. However, you can make minor repairs, and regular maintenance will keep your unit running well. When extensive repairs are needed, you can also save the cost of a service call by removing the air conditioner from its mounting and taking it to the repair shop.

Caution: Before doing any work on a room air conditioner, make sure it's unplugged. Room air conditioners have either one or two capacitors, located behind the control panel and near the fan. Capacitors store electricity, even when the power to the unit is turned off. Before you do any work on an air conditioner, unplug it and discharge the capacitor or you could receive a severe shock. The unit's owner's manual will show the location of capacitors and tell how to discharge them. Otherwise, let an air conditioning technician do it.

Now that you're ready to work on your air conditioner, try to determine exactly what needs to be done. Look for your problem, and solution, on the chart on the next page.

For more articles on home repair, check out the following links.

• How To Repair Central Air Conditioners: If your system sends cool air to all parts of the house, you've got central air. Keep the system running cool.
  
• Major Appliance Repair: If the a/c isn't the only thing in your house on the fritz, you can learn how to fix other machines in this article.
• Small Appliance Repair: Once you've tackled the a/c, a toaster or blender seems like child's play. Find out how to fix them here.
• Thermostat Maintenance: To make sure there's actually a problem with your a/c, you may want to check the thermostat, too. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.

Troubleshooting Room Air Conditioners

When it's sweltering outside and your window air conditioner isn't giving you relief, you don't want to wait for a professional to show up. Check the following chart to see if the problem is something you can fix yourself.

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Unit doesn't run	1. No power.	1. Check cord, plug, and outlet.     Check for blown fuse or tripped     circuit breaker at main entrance     panel; restore circuit.
	2. Motor overload     or safety shutoff.	2. Wait 30 minutes; press reset     button. Repeat if necessary.
	3. Switch faulty.	3. Check terminals and insulation; if     burns are evident, replace switch. If     switch looks all right, call a professional.
Fuses blow	1. Circuit overloaded.	1. Put on different circuit.
	2. Voltage low.	2. Call a professional or the     power company.
Cooling inadequate	1. Thermostat set     too high.	1. Lower thermostat setting 5°.
	2. Filter dirty.	2. Clean or replace filter.
	3. Coils dirty.	3. Clean coils.
	4. Condenser blocked     from outside.	4. Make sure outside of unit     is not blocked.
	5. Motor faulty.	5. Call a professional.
	6. Compressor faulty.	6. Call a professional.
	7. Coolant leak.	7. Call a professional.
Fan runs, but unit doesn't cool	1. Thermostat set     too high.	1. Lower thermostat setting 5°.
	2. Thermostat faulty.	2. Test thermostat; if faulty,     replace, or call a professional.
	3. Coils dirty.	3. Clean coils.
	4. Motor faulty.	4. Call a professional.
	5. Compressor     faulty.	5. Call a professional.
Unit cools, but fan doesn't run	1. Control switch     set wrong.	1. Reset switch; try different settings.
	2. Fan clogged.	2. Clean and tighten fan blades.
	3. Fan blades bent.	3. Straighten fan blades.
	4. Fan motor faulty.	4. Replace fan motor or     call a professional.
Unit turns on and off repeatedly	1. Coils dirty.	1. Clean coils.
	2. Filter dirty.	2. Clean or replace filter.

As you can see, there are many parts that can fall into disrepair on an air conditioner. You can learn how to fix many of these, such as the filter and coils, on the next page.

For more articles on home repair, check out the following links.

• How To Repair Central Air Conditioners: If your system sends cool air to all parts of the house, you've got central air. Keep the system running cool.
• Major Appliance Repair: If the a/c isn't the only thing in your house on the fritz, you can learn how to fix other machines in this article.
• Small Appliance Repair: Once you've tackled the a/c, a toaster or blender seems like child's play. Find out how to fix them here.
• Thermostat Maintenance: To make sure there's actually a problem with your a/c, you may want to check the thermostat, too. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.

Filter, Power Cord, Coils, Switch, Drain Ports, Motor and Compressor

Switch

The selector switch, located directly behind the control panel, turns the unit on. If the air conditioner does not run at any setting, and it is receiving power, chances are the switch is faulty. To correct the problem, remove the control panel and locate the switch. Check the switch terminals for burnt insulation or burn marks on the terminals. If you see any indication of burning, replace the switch with a new one of the same type.

The switch is held to the control panel or frame with screws; unscrew it and connect the new one the same way. If you determine the problem may not be the switch, call a professional service person.

Drain Ports

As the air conditioner operates, condensed moisture and water vapor from the evaporator coil are funneled through drain ports or an opening between the partition in the middle of the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. At this point, the fan blows the moisture against the condenser coil, where the water is dissipated.

Drain ports can become clogged with dirt. The result is water leaking from the appliance, usually through the bottom of the grille. To prevent clogging, clean the ports with a short piece of wire hanger or the blade of a pocketknife. Do this at the beginning of every cooling season and every month during the season. Also check the condenser side of the air conditioner. Some models have a drain port along the bottom edge of the cabinet frame. If your air conditioner has this drain port, clean it out when you clean the other ports.

Motor and Compressor

If problems occur in the motor or compressor of the air conditioner, call a professional service person.

The problem may not be in the mechanics of your unit at all; it may be the thermostat. Find out how to check and replace a thermostat on the next page.

For more articles on home repair, check out the following links.

• How To Repair Central Air Conditioners: If your system sends cool air to all parts of the house, you've got central air. Keep the system running cool.
• Major Appliance Repair: If the a/c isn't the only thing in your house on the fritz, you can learn how to fix other machines in this article.
• Small Appliance Repair: Once you've tackled the a/c, a toaster or blender seems like child's play. Find out how to fix them here.
• Thermostat Maintenance: To make sure there's actually a problem with your a/c, you may want to check the thermostat, too. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.

How To Test and Replace a Thermostat

Note: If the thermostat has more than two lead wires connected to it (not counting the sensing bulb wire) do not try to test or replace it. Instead, call a professional service person.

The fan in your air conditioner also needs routine maintenance. Learn how to keep it running smoothly on the next page.

For more articles on home repair, check out the following links.

• How To Repair Central Air Conditioners: If your system sends cool air to all parts of the house, you've got central air. Keep the system running cool.
• Major Appliance Repair: If the a/c isn't the only thing in your house on the fritz, you can learn how to fix other machines in this article.
• Small Appliance Repair: Once you've tackled the a/c, a toaster or blender seems like child's play. Find out how to fix them here.
• Thermostat Maintenance: To make sure there's actually a problem with your a/c, you may want to check the thermostat, too. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.

How To Repair a Room Air Conditioner Fan

To remove the fan motor, remove the fan, the power wires, and several mounting bolts. Install the new motor with the reverse procedure. However, if the condenser coil must be moved to get the fan out, do not try to remove the motor. Call a professional service person.

By following the routine maintenance mentioned in this article, you will be able to handle most problems that occur with your window air conditioning unit.

For more articles on home repair, check out the following links.

• How To Repair Central Air Conditioners: If your system sends cool air to all parts of the house, you've got central air. Keep the system running cool.
• Major Appliance Repair: If the a/c isn't the only thing in your house on the fritz, you can learn how to fix other machines in this article.
• Small Appliance Repair: Once you've tackled the a/c, a toaster or blender seems like child's play. Find out how to fix them here.
• Thermostat Maintenance: To make sure there's actually a problem with your a/c, you may want to check the thermostat, too. Learn how to calibrate a thermostat.