We’ve all been there. You turn on your A/C on a sweltering day, only to hear a click but feel no cool air. Instantly, you dread the thought of calling a technician, bracing yourself for an expensive repair. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take before reaching that point.
Your thermostat is the brain of your A/C system, managing its on-off cycles and regulating your home’s temperature. When it clicks but the A/C doesn’t start, it’s time to troubleshoot. Checking, cleaning, and testing parts of the unit can often resolve the issue without needing a costly replacement.
If you need expert help, call Queen B Plumbing at (908) 633-1333 for your Somerset County, NJ plumbing and HVAC needs. We’ll be happy to assist you and ensure your home stays comfortable.
1. Check your thermostat and its settings
Check that the temperature of your A/C on the thermostat is lower than the temperature that is displayed by the thermostat. Check to make sure the thermostat is set to cool instead of heat. Then check to see if the fan is on auto or on.
If your thermostat is at a proper temperature, it’s set to cool, and the fan is set to on then you may need to check if your thermostat has gone bad which we will go over in a later section.
Replacing The Thermostat
In order to change your thermostat you’ll want to go out and make sure you buy the correct one.
When you are ready to change it go ahead and turn off the power to the system. After that, you’ll want to unscrew the old thermostat and disconnect any wires until it is completely separated from the system.
You should label the wires so that you know which ones to connect the new thermostat too.
Then go ahead and reconnect all the wires to the new thermostat and screw it back into the wall. It should turn after you turn the power r to the system back on.
2. Check your indoor/outdoor unit
If you realize the clicking sound is inside when you turn on your A/C but it is not coming from the thermostat then there is an issue with your indoor unit.
The clicking that may be coming from your indoor unit would be coming from the control board. This board sends the signals from the thermostat to the unit.
In case you are not hearing any clicking from the thermostat or control board then check your outdoor unit. The two issues that could be coming from the outdoor unit are a failed contractor or failed capacitor.
3. Check the relay
The relay is what opens or closes an A/C when you turn either turn the thermostat on or off. To check if it is the relay listen to see if the clicking noise is unusually loud or if the clicking lasts for a couple of seconds. If so, the issue may be the relay.
Some thermostats allow you to check the relay on your own by seeing if the LED of the relay flashes on. If you turn on the A/C and the LED does not flash on then you may have found the reason why your A/C will not turn on.
4. Ensure the capacitor isn’t defective
The capacitor is part of the outdoor unit and is what powers up the A/C compressor. A capacitor is part of older A/C units so if you do have an older A/C unit this could be the issue. Over time the capacitor loses charge.
If the capacitor is the issue you will hear a clicking noise and a low buzzing sound. You can also go to your outdoor unit and see if there is any discharge on the unit or bulging anywhere on it.
5. Replace the Air Filters
To replace the air filter you should turn the power of the system for safety. Then you’ll want to open the vent up revealing the old air filter and take that out.
Put in the new air filter. Make sure the air filter’s arrows are pointing toward the A/C unit. Close the vent back up and you’ve successfully installed a new air filter.
6. Replace the Control Board
The control board should be by the furnace system. To replace the control board you’ll want to start by disconnecting the power cord so there is no possibility of being shocked. The furnace should have a lower panel where the control board is. You’ll want to unscrew or open that.
Once you see the control board you’ll want to unscrew the screws holding in the wires so that you can take those wires out. Once the wires are disconnected you’ll want to unscrew the control board from the furnace.
After the control board is out you should add in the new one to reconnect it to all of the proper wires and screw it back into the furnace.
7. Change the defective capacitor
Changing a defective capacitor is no easy job. This is because the system is a lot more complicated and potentially dangerous. If you realize that the capacitor is bloated or there is discage coming from it you are best off calling a professional to change it for you.
If you plan to give yourself a challenge and want to put in the time and effort to change a capacitor it would be best to watch multiple videos on how to change it along with getting familiar with your A/C unit to ensure you do not harm yourself or cause any damage to your new capacitor.
We hope our list of possible solutions has helped you troubleshoot your A/C issues. However, if you’re still experiencing problems or prefer professional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Call Queen B Plumbing at (908) 633-1333 for expert help with your air conditioning in Somerset County, NJ. We’re here to ensure your home stays comfortable and cool.
