Posted: 6/13/2016 10:38:59 PM EDT
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I've got a large GE window AC unit in a cabin that's not cooling properly. When first turned on, the compressor kicks on, the coil gets cold and it cools well. After a few minutes, the compressor kicks off and it stops cooling and won't Start again until I cycle the unit off and on again.
I'm a million miles from nowhere with no hope of getting it replaced or repaired in the next couple days. Any suggestions? |
| Clean the coils. If it is a newer unit it might have pressure controls with a circuit board that could lock it out if it trips either control. If you can find a wiring diagram it will show the controls and you will be able to tell if it has high/low pressure switches. Or if you pull it out of the sleeve see if there are switches plumbed into the refrigerant lines. |
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Quoted:
Clean the coils. If it is a newer unit it might have pressure controls with a circuit board that could lock it out if it trips either control. If you can find a wiring diagram it will show the controls and you will be able to tell if it has high/low pressure switches. Or if you pull it out of the sleeve see if there are switches plumbed into the refrigerant lines. Just dragging it outside and hosing it off is about the best I can do with what I have to work with. |
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I own a lot of the dang things as all of my rental properties use them.
You can try hosing the coil only but if it is bad enough the problem will return. About the only way I have had good luck is by actually taking the cover off or on many of the older larger units the chassis slide out the front (inside) of the case. The dirt can build up like a blanket on the inside of the condensing coil (the one the hot air comes out of on the exterior) and I have had pretty good luck scraping it off using an Ice scraper off all things. Be careful and go with the fins not across them, the brush can also be used, follow up with a good hosing out (make sure its unplugged) let it dry and retry. Restored and saved many an older unit this way. Good luck!! |
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A clogged condenser will cause the cord to get very warm.
I have seen the plug bulge on many. You can usually see if the coil is clogged with a flashlight looking through the side vents near the coil. Take the cabinet apart and brush the fuzz off the coil. Be mindful of the area you removed the screws and replace the same size screw in that hole. Putting the wrong length screw in the wrong hole could Pierce the tubing. |