AC Compressor Runs for 20 seconds at a time

srgone

AC Compressor Runs for 20 seconds at a time
Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

Yesterday the AC was working fine, but today I came home and it doesn't want to cool me off. I lower the temperature on the thermostat and the compressor fan comes on for like 20 seconds and shuts off. The unit is an old Arcoaire (circa 1990). I did some Googling and came across a reference to the high pressure switch. I gave it a shot and took the cover off to figure out that when I hold the switch in it works fine. So my question is whether this means the switch is bad, and if so, where and how do I get a new one? I tried searching for the AC model number and could not find anything online.

Or could it be something else? I can manage tonight without it, but would love to be able to fix it in the morning. Thanks much for any advice!!

Sergio

biggles

if that switch is on the line out of the compressor that is too hot to touch thats your HP...WHY...if it was hot when you held it in i might be the condenser is dirty...shut the disconnect down out side for the condenser remove the cover and with a garden hose and nozzle wash the condenser DON'T Blast it

srgone

first, thank you very much for taking the time to help me.
I read on another thread that it could be dirt as well, but the button was not hot when I pressed it. If I understand you correctly I need to take the compressor cover off and hose it down, but I am not seeing an easy way to do that. Would it be possible to clean it from the opening above? Thanks again