A/C running but not cold

Ranger1227

Of course this would happen on the weekend. The A/C unit runs, the compressor is running, but the air is not cold. The thermostat is set for 73, but it is actually 77 in the house. I checked the compressor unit outside, and it is running, but the line attached is not cold or sweating condensation like it does when running properly. We did change the compressor fan motor in the past year or 2. The compressor is a Goodman 3.5 ton and is 14 years old. Any ideas?

Kevster

Are you sure the compressor is running and not just the condenser fan motor?

Ranger1227

The big fan on the compressor is running, so I assume that it is. Should I be looking for something else?

Kevster

Just because the fan is running doesn't mean that the compressor is. Could be a bad run capacitor to the compressor, a burned wire to the compressor or worse case scenario but less likely, a bad compressor. Not really something you wanna mess around with yourself unless you have some electrical experience.

AllanJ

Usually the fan and compressor in the outdoor unit of a split system will go on and off together. You can open up the outdoor unit and disconnect the fan just for a few minutes and listen for or feel if the compressor is running. Caution, the body of the compressor can get very hot.

Also go down to the furnace or wherever the inside unit is installed and feel for any coolness at all. Weak coolness usually means the system needs a Freon recharge.

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Ranger1227

Thanks for the advice. I am not about to mess with this myself. I use an independent HVAC guy and just spoke to him. He said that he will be out Monday AM to check. However, since this unit is 14 years old, I have already changed the compressor fan motor once, is it time to think of just getting a new compressor?