Larry Jaques wrote:


I see that there is a high-pressure switch (probably not engaged), low
pressure switch (dunno without gauge set), and thermistor switch (now
cooled with water, so doubtful as the culprit now.) System is ten
years + 4 months old and has never had a problem. I have the
installing company come out almost every year for a checkup but didn't
last year. They found a loose squirrel cage early on and some pieces
of insulation in the fan another time, but nothing else has been
required or done to it.

Any thoughts, boys and girls?
Was the condenser fan spinning when it tried to start?
If not, then the condenser pressure built up until it tripped the
high pressure cutout or overheated the thermal switch in the compressor.
The unit will need to cool off before restarting. Cooling the compressor
may take several hours.

It could be a bad start or run capacitor. Usually these make themselves
VERY obvious because the explode smelly stuff all over the inside of the
condenser cabinet.

After cooling off, turn off the disconnect by the condenser, and then
set the thermostat inside to make it run. Watch and listen when you
turn on the disconnect. Does the condenser fan spin? Does the compressor
make a locked rotor loud hum, or sound like it is spinning? or, does it
just fire up and run OK now? If the compressor sounds like it is
laboring badly or locked, shut it off immediately. If you can't find
a blown capacitor (may be inside an inner compartment) or bad relay,
then you may have to call for service.

Jon