outdoor Goodman unit broken?

chiswilson · 06-05-2012, 08:20 AM

Hi all -- as of yesterday, my heat pump stopped working. Blower in attic still works, but outdoor unit never comes on. When it _should be on, I can put my ear up to it, and hear a little buzz. Neither the top fan nor the compressor come on. I know its getting power cause I can hear a little buzz, and I assume its also getting the 'on signal' from the inside unit as well (24 volt?). When I try to turn it on, I hear a little click which I assume is a relay or something in the attic, attempting to turn on the outside unit.

Any ideas what to look at? If it was just a broken compressor, wouldn't the fan still come on? Or are they tied together somehow?

Thanks!
CW

TarheelTerp · 06-05-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiswilson

I (assume) its getting power cause I can hear a little buzz, and I assume its also getting the 'on signal' from the inside unit as well (24 volt?).
When I try to turn it on, I hear a little click ...Any ideas what to look at?

Start at the disconnect to VERIFY 240V power; then also at/through the relay.
Use the same voltage tester to VERIFY the 24V control power.

If you have power and control voltage through the relay...
Then go upstream to where that 240V power goes...
usually through a capacitor (hint, hint) then to the motor.

clocert · 06-05-2012, 10:18 AM

Most time, the contactor generates the 'buzz' sound, so first thing to check is the contactor, simply push the contactor button and see what will happen.

REP · 06-05-2012, 04:08 PM

What they are saying is that your problem sounds like it is going to be either your contactor or the capacitor.Both items are cheap problems.
You should shut off the power at the breaker before changing either one.Also replacements should have the exact same power ratings as the old ones,no subsitutes.

chiswilson · 06-05-2012, 05:37 PM

Thanks guys. With your help, and reading some other threads, I learned a bit, pulled it open, tested some things (carefully!) with my volt meter, messed with the contactor, and apparently its fixed! At first, manually pushing on the contactor center button wasn't doing anything. But then about 10 mins later (after again attempting to turn on the unit from inside the house) I pushed again on the contactor, got some sparks, and then it started...both fan and compressor. Now it turns on normally from inside the house, using the thermostat. go figure.
So maybe my messing with it somehow 'fixed' the contactor ??

DIYchatroom rocks.

TarheelTerp · 06-05-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiswilson

So maybe my messing with it somehow 'fixed' the contactor ??

Er... no.

1) With a can of contact cleaner in hand open up the housing again
and look inside especially around the relay for insects.
Spray it all down either way.

2) Also take some digital pictures of the relay and capacitor
Write down whatever numbers don't show up in the pics.
At your convenience buy one of each of these and stash it away.

TopTechnician · 06-05-2012, 09:24 PM

Without a doubt, you should replace that contactor. I wouldn't recommend trying to clean it. Dirty/burnt contacts in your contactor can burn out your compressor in short order. A contactor costs less than $20 (if you do it yourself). A compressor is considerably more. You already know your contactor contacts are problematic; replace it as soon as possible.

06-05-2012, 08:20 AM	#1
chiswilson Newbie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 3	outdoor Goodman unit broken? Hi all -- as of yesterday, my heat pump stopped working. Blower in attic still works, but outdoor unit never comes on. When it _should be on, I can put my ear up to it, and hear a little buzz. Neither the top fan nor the compressor come on. I know its getting power cause I can hear a little buzz, and I assume its also getting the 'on signal' from the inside unit as well (24 volt?). When I try to turn it on, I hear a little click which I assume is a relay or something in the attic, attempting to turn on the outside unit. Any ideas what to look at? If it was just a broken compressor, wouldn't the fan still come on? Or are they tied together somehow? Thanks! CW

06-05-2012, 10:18 AM	#3
clocert Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 192	outdoor Goodman unit broken? Most time, the contactor generates the 'buzz' sound, so first thing to check is the contactor, simply push the contactor button and see what will happen.

06-05-2012, 04:08 PM	#4
REP Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 613	outdoor Goodman unit broken? What they are saying is that your problem sounds like it is going to be either your contactor or the capacitor.Both items are cheap problems. You should shut off the power at the breaker before changing either one.Also replacements should have the exact same power ratings as the old ones,no subsitutes.

06-05-2012, 05:37 PM	#5
chiswilson Newbie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 3	outdoor Goodman unit broken? Thanks guys. With your help, and reading some other threads, I learned a bit, pulled it open, tested some things (carefully!) with my volt meter, messed with the contactor, and apparently its fixed! At first, manually pushing on the contactor center button wasn't doing anything. But then about 10 mins later (after again attempting to turn on the unit from inside the house) I pushed again on the contactor, got some sparks, and then it started...both fan and compressor. Now it turns on normally from inside the house, using the thermostat. go figure. So maybe my messing with it somehow 'fixed' the contactor ?? DIYchatroom rocks.

06-05-2012, 09:24 PM	#7
TopTechnician Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: I live at heatpumpmechanic@gmail.com Posts: 65	outdoor Goodman unit broken? Without a doubt, you should replace that contactor. I wouldn't recommend trying to clean it. Dirty/burnt contacts in your contactor can burn out your compressor in short order. A contactor costs less than $20 (if you do it yourself). A compressor is considerably more. You already know your contactor contacts are problematic; replace it as soon as possible.

outdoor Goodman unit broken?