most common AC problem - blower doesn't come on - HVAC condensate overflow shut-off device problem
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- Опубликовано: 11 авг 2012
- Here is a documentary on how I replaced a HVAC condensing overflow shut-off device. It's very common for a stopped-up drain to trigger this device and results in shutting off your AC/furnace. I am not a professional. This is for reference only.
Here is an explanation on how it works: • Explain how does a HVA...
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I can't thank you enough! My husband was out of town and our air wouldn't kick on. It was 80 degrees inside and 93 outside and I had 2 sick kids. I followed the same steps you did and when I got to the safe-t-switch and opened it, it gushed water! I ended up using our pressure washer to push out whatever was clogging the line and it was disgusting! Something had crawled in there and died. You saved me hundreds of dollars for a repairman. Truly, thank you!!
Good job miss. 👏
I can’t thank you enough for this video. It’s 4 am and 84 in my apartment. I checked the safe t switch and it was filled with water. I used a Doppler to suck up the water and my air came right on, thank you again!!!
Thanks for posting this video. My moms ac would not go on. I pulled out the overflow switch and cleaned out the tray. Reinstalled switch and ac powered up. You saved a widow on a fixed income a service call. For that I thank you.
My Friend....thank you so very much for this video!!
I live in a hot moisture South Florida and a brand new AC Unit started to goes On and Off intermitently.
I have Nest Thermostat and my first call was a faulty Thermostat.
Went to Old School analog thermostat...same problem..
Than I had a conclusion the problem was with the AC Unit.
I saw all kinds of videos related to Intermitent AC unit causes and your video was the direct to the point.
The problem was at the switch but not because a faulty switch.
The problem was that the drain pipe that takes the condensed water to outside of the house had some kinda of limbo and it was overflowing the pipe and cutting the power to the AC.
I got my portable air compressor, blew some air to the pipe...put some bleach over to kill the remaining limbo and the water started to flow out again.
Thank You Amigo!!
Thank you, no low voltage power to my thermostat. My float was okay, but the low voltage 5A fuse was blown. You led me within 2 inches of the problem. Thank you, I would not have found the problem without your video. Took me less than an hour. Thanks to you, my wife is happy.
Overall good video. For future reference, you can check, using your multimeter, for continuity between the safe T switch wires. You can also run the 24 volts directly to the r terminal to get it running while you are either waiting for a new safe t switch or buying one. Also, good job telling your audience about the potential clog that could have formed in the primary drain line.
Thanks so much for a very easy to follow and great solution to our problem. I was fortunate that after drying out the chamber and allowing the switch to dry it kicked on. We are grateful since we are in South Florida and enduring the worst heat in over 100 years. You rock!
OMG! Totally love this video. I had no clue as to what the problem was with my blower. Moved recently into this house and my blower would hum like it wanted to start and would not unless i gave it a good smack! After watching the video I located water sitting inside my shut off device and which then alerted me to water and scum sitting in the drain pipe! Cleaned and dried everything out and now my beautiful blower is doing her job! Cool again in South Florida!
thanks for the kind words. i just like tinkering with stuff and AC has been my new 'fun' hobby.
Thats wonderful that you are going to school studying HVAC. I would love to learn it professionally someday :)
Great diag tips - mine wasn't the overflow shut-off but a fuse. The instructions helped greatly in knowing where to check for voltage to see where the problem was. Thanks!
This is a great video! I was able to figured out the problem after watching the video. The floating device was tripping the unit. Cleared the drain line as VOILA!! Thanks a lot saved me LOTS of money!
Nice upload, of all the videos on here, this was the one that get my ac going again. Can't believe I forgot that switch! Thanks
Thanks so much. Last time repair was $700. I could not get the condensate lines apart so I sucked it out with a shop vac. Worked!!!
awesome job brother! I don't have this problem. my thermostat was flasginh "cool on" and was just doing a quick search to see what it could mean. wanna be prepared incase something goes wrong. I'm an electrician and your trouble shooting steps are what a true pro does. keep up the great work and stay safe. subscribed.
Justin
*We're very happy with the unit. Pretty Easy to instal **Fastly.Cool** too.*
Don't know if you're still following the comments but thank you very much 1:30 in the morning here in Arizona and it's 98 degrees I didn't know newer units had a float switch for the condensation line . And they drywall. This one in under the unit. Thank you very much!!!!!
Thank you for this, and the link about the overflow !!! That is what my problem was...saved me a service call !! Excellent video :)
Yeah, my drain line was clogged. Cleared it & everything work as it should. Very good video--Thanks!!!
The over flow shut off was my problem. My a/c is working fine now. Thank you.
Thanks for the video, what is the name of the part that you bought online?
The unit used to start and blow air, but then when it reached the desired temperature, the fan would shut off but it would still sound like if still want to blow air, but it doesn't.
Now I will turn on my unit and it sounds like it is turned on but doesn't blow any air. Could it be the same thing?
Thanks.
First thank you for this video. I live in Florida and my AC just stop working. The fan was not coming out, so we went to Home Depot And fallow you instruction and buy the capacitor but they didn't have in the store. Then We went to the AC hardware store and found it there for 29.99. AC it's working now! Thank you from Florida!
Thanks for your prompt reply! To clarify, the condensate shut off the AC only once in five years. The repair guy checked the drain pipe, and it was not backed-up. Also, the unit (not the outdoor compressor) is mounted above the garage so that the water flows down hill. Whatelse would cause the AC to shut off so soon after being "repaired"? Thanks again.
Thanks. This was a great reminder and a fantastic diagnostic protocol.
HOLA; MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS POR TODOS TUS VIDEOS, ESTAN MUY BIEN HECHOS, ME ALLUDARON ARREGLAR MI AIRE ACONDICIONADO. ISTALE UN THERMOSTATO, Y EL HVAC!!!!
Thank you. I followed your steps and I got the AC to work. many thanks.
Hey just wanna say you have great videos up..very educational to the public, students in the trade and i bet some technician s out there
A big THANK YOU and greetings from New Jersey !!!
Thank you I watched try to help you video and he recommended you and I definitely got it fixed one of my three kids has bronchitis and it was 85 indoor Thank you I really appreciate it🙏
Thank you for the very informative video. It helped me to keep some money in my pocket. Good deal! Awesome of you to take the time to make this video.
oh my God I'm waiting here to have the service guy to call me back and started watching this i found the problem I think of you so much you are the best 👍👍👍
Thank you for the video. I have one question before opening it up and messing with the wiring. My blower turns on about half the time, the other half it takes a bit of trying to get it going. Once it starts and it is on On then it will never stop. The problem is that it is often times difficult to get it started in the first place, and secondly when it is on Auto it can blow correctly for a while but once it breaks it is done. Will messing with the wires work for this as well?
i was just having the same problem couldn't figure it out for hours until I seen your video, thank you so much brother, you really helped me god bless
Very helpful video. I fixed the problem with the A/C not turning on even though my upgraded thermostat stated "cooling on". Turns out, I blew the fuse when I touched 2 live wires together during the switch out. I didn't know that I had to remove a panel to access the circuit board. Thanks.
So thankful for your video. As soon as I opened the safe t switch the fan started blowing and there was water inside the pipe. I just need to figure out why and how to drain it.
Thank you so so much! Saved me $130/hr service charge. You are the best.
Thank you so much! I had a problem 15 minutes ago. I was able to pinpoint the problem through that 27 volt check. Subscribing!
Where is this pipe located at? Is it in the attic? I can't locate where this can be at.
Thanks for the quick response, so I get no voltage..on any wire. The pipe is clean, guess i'll try replacing the over flow switch, do they sell them at home depot? there any way to bypass the switch (just to see if that's the problem)
Hey, found out it was the transformer, not giving the 24v power to thermostat, swapped it out 7 bucks, all is good now . Thanks for the help and all your vids : )
Bingo - Checked 3 things:
1 - Checked if Thermostat working / Working with 12 Volts
2 - Checked Fuse inside furnace - Not blown
3 - Last I replaced the Safe-T-Switch ($15 part) ==> Bingo ==> it worked
I would have never guessed it if not watching your Video
A contractor would easily charge you $200-$400
Thank you for the Video
Thank you. Awesome video. However, I turned on my thermostat, and checked the unit outside, the fan was not turned on. Someone came over to fix it and it was turned on, but I am not sure if he manually turned it on from the unit. I noticed he pressed it during the fix and the fan was on. He is coming back to repair it, but I am hoping if you can give me advise. Seems to me that the thermostat is not communicating with the unit outside. I have two units. The one upstairs is working. Does it have anything to do with the upstairs unit? The repair person kept asking to see the upstairs one which does not make any sense. The furnace switch next to the heating/AC in our garage is turned on. Your advise is greatly appreciated.
good point, and your approach is removes a few steps. But, checking the breaker is easier (no DMM required) and it at least eliminates a short circuit scenario. Also, I am trying to describe the situation by showing what all ive checked.
Replaced my blower motor yesterday and saved $1k. Ty
Thanks Man! I can read schematics and have a Fluke Multimeter I was chasing wires for 20 minutes saw your video and that was the exact fix...You saved me a lot of time...Thanks a million.
Todd
Great troubleshooting.
Mine was a bad fuse. Replaced the fuse after testing it with a multimeter and it kicked on. 👍🏼
Great video with clear explanation. Thank you
I have question, all the ac has a over flow switch? I wanna know bec. If they have the same like the chiller ac.thank you.good video
Thanks. This one helped me tonight. I appreciate it. :)
Thank you so much for this video! My blower wasn't coming on, and turned out it was the condensation safety switch. I (temporarily) fixed the problem by drying out the unit and soaking up the water in the tubes, but do you have any suggestion on what I should be looking for in order to prevent the condensation overflow in the future?
hittheroad001 ever find a answer
Mr. Tinker, I followed your instructions. My furnace has a switch rather than a 3 prong plug. I flipped the switch and the whole thing reset! I have nice cool air. I didn't have to wait for a tech or pay several hundred dollars. You gave me the info to fix my problem by 0:50. Thanks again.
Omg! Thank you very much!!!! I Telly really appreciate it
Regarding an ECM motor not coming on, would a direct hook-up...I.e. L1 to L1 and L2 to T5 or t1, run the motor for a check? I just want to see if the motor will run? Thanks
Hey, at 1:42 you say measure the voltage difference between red and green, how exactly do you do this? what do i set the meter to? and where do i put the red and black leads while measuring?
Mr you make it very easy
Most fan motors in the furnace runs off 120VAC. For testing, you could hook up the motor directly to the wall socket. I would skip all the T1, L1 stuff since you might short circuit something. There are youtube videos on this topic.
Hey man I have a home which is only 5 years old and my AC isn't working. When I turn on the AC on the thermostat everything turns on, the compressor and fan outside kick on and the home fan turns on too, but almost nothing comes out of the vents. I got on a ladder and felt very tiny amount of air coming out which was cool air but didn't cool anything because almost nothing coming from the vents. My air filter is clean and I don't know what I'm looking at in the attic. Can you help, any ideas?
Was the heat pump coming on without the air handler coming on? In other words, was the outside unit kicking on without the indoor unit coming on a few seconds later?
I had the same issue with my heat pump cool flashing but not cooling it was the capacitor. They replaced it works great. Hope this helps
This video just saved me...thank you so much for posting....
Because of you I fix my a/c . You are A ++++++++
That worked perfectly. Mines was just full. I drained it and it came right on.
After running without a problem for three days, my central AC died. I had an AC repair guy check it out. He added freon, checked the circuits and it ran. However, about three hours later it died again. He had suggested a $400 pump so that the condensate would not backup. However, it backed up only once in five years. Of course, he did not suggest changing the low cost backup switch. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks! Dennis
Thanks! My overflow valve was the problem.
Great vid, thank you! Short and sweet.
You just save me a lot of money!$$$ i really appreciate this video. Thanks a lot my ac works again!!!thaaaaank you!!
Been doing this for 11 years and never ran into a bad float switch.....good info for the D.I.Y people
Thanks alot man took three seconds to get my ac back didnt even think about the breaker box
Thanks heaps, it was the condensate overflow!!!
Thank you!!!! So very helpful. God bless :)
On my Lennox furnace, the small switch on the power control box that houses the power control board is tripping when I try to run the AC. Any thoughts...
My Robertshaw RS8110 thermostat is only a few months old, and it works well with the new A/C unit that just install this summer. However, when I switch to the 'heat mode', the furnace would come on and stay on, but the thermostat would go blank. Do you have any suggestion how to fix this problem?
DIY Tinker, I live in Arizona and I have a furnace/on roof AC unit. When we turn on the AC, the air blowing is far less than normal. It's cool, but just not blowing like it normally does. Any thoughts on where we would start to trouble shoot? Thanks.
I have same problem... But its AC air blowing less than normal...
KL Hobbs check your retur filter.
KL Hobbs, it could just be an old blower motor. If you'd like someone to check it out, I also live in AZ and I'm an AC Tech. Trouble shooting this problem sooner than later could save you a lot of money in the future.
Thank You!! I'll check that right away
I have learned a lot from ac videos on you tube
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Don't know if responses are still active here but how would you test the safety if the system isn't turning on? Is there a better way then removing the safety out of the loop and then running it, like with a meter?
Thank u so much it is 90 in the house an it going down now!!
Level your new float switch!
My RV ac unit has a terrible freon like smell, is there something I should clean or replace first?
Thank you! Found my float switch was installed at a 45 degree angle, put it back straight and everything is working again.
DIY TINKER, YOU MY FRIEND IS DA MAN!
Thanks for your help. I'll try it.
I had someone install new wiring between blower/furnace and thermostat, but now no power in the blower, no voltage at step found 1:20 of your video. What could my problem be? Was working fine before his work.
Thanks!! It helps a lot! God bless You!
When I tested my board, the fan kicked on as you indicated. When I released the pressure from the volt meter probes, it turned off. So I pulled the board off and looked behind, but saw nothing amiss, and no scorching. I only then set the board on the pin-clips that hold it to the blower and all seems to be good for now. Must be shorting against the blower? very strange. We'll see if it continues to operate. then I'll put some kind of insulation between.
Thanks man for the video...i just fix mine !!!
It was my door wasnt fully closed😂😂😂....thanks for the vid
Wow you are awesome. Totally figured that out. Thanks for your help.
thats odd... is it a split unit? or a flap that controls the duct opening and closing for upstairs?
Hi, I have a question. On your thermostat. It shoes FAN: auto. I have the same thermostat and mine also says FAN: auto. I want to turn off fan but it either goes to auto or on. Is there a way to get the off option? please let me know.
Great videos. I have a different problem that I don't see in your video library -- my a/c unit seems to be working, but the blower fan in my furnace isn't turning on. It (the blower fan) does turn on when I have the system set to "heat" or "off" (if I set the fan to "on" instead of "off")...but it won't come on when system is set to "cool" -- even if I turn the fan to "on" instead of "auto". Any ideas on what to check?
The blower fan has different blow level. When you want Cold air, the fan is at its highest setting, when you want heat, then the fan is set to its lowest setting. There are 1-2 in between settings that arent used. Either your circuit board is bad, or your fan. I dont have a video testing the blower, but you can use the following two videos that does combine the idea:
RUUD furnace fan not starting - replace burnt control board - adding new flame sensor - no heat HVAC
AC fan not working - how to troubleshoot and repair condenser fan motor - trane air condition
DIY Tinker I had my fan motor replaced this past winter. Does that trigger any thoughts? Otherwise, I'll just keep trying things. Thanks for the help.
DIY Tinker Figured out my problem. The service tech had connected the black wire from the blower to "heat"...and nothing to "cool". Moving black to "cool" and blue from "park" to "heat" solved everything. Phew! Free solution!!!
oh nice catch. But why did he do that?
wait a minute, so the heater/furnace has to be plugged in in order for my AC to work? i have 2 different thermostats, one for my AC and one for my heater. the one for the AC wont turn on at all but i have power up on the roof and can turn on the AC on the roof by pushing the various test buttons it has ( i have a mastercool unit). i just noticed that my furnace is not plugged in at the wall socket, however. not sure why its unplugged. im gonna try plugging it back in to see if that fixes my issue.
Did you check those wires that were up against the hot vent pipe on top. May have been a broken wire there...
Well actually my fan motor has 240 and common going to it. Re a traditional motor -sure a direct power will run them assuming a good motor. The T1 and T5 is just low and high speed. But what I am wondering is will a ECM (Electronic Control Module) motor run off of direct hook up? They are DC wound with a circuit built inside the motor. Yeah i have been looking on line to no avail. I like your teachings ! maybe do one on ecm motors.....thanks!
I really like this video. My issue is that blower wont come on when AC is on - either auto or fan. I switched the setting to heat and guess what. The blower came on - I switched the settings back to AC and it's running just fine. If I shut it off no blower fan. I do not have a volt meter so not sure how to test the safe-t-switch. Any thoughts?
Murray Strauss
Hello, my blower motor won't turn on. Thermostat is good, programmed correctly & new batteries.It clicks when furnace or a/c needs to turn on. Pilot light is lit. Does the blower motor have a reset switch that might need pushed back in? Where would it be? Next stop = fuse box. They all look good, but not always true. Thank you so much!
Every few years or so I have the same problem with the home HVAC; 24-volts not appearing at the thermostat, but present on the board. In every case it's been the four-terminal 24v relay which I replace and forget about until the cooling stops again (only seems to happen in hot weather). Never even seen an "overflow" device on my 20+ year old unit, and wouldn't know where to find it.
Planchik, i couldnt reply to you on youtube. not sure why, so here is my quick answer:
You said the outside fan doesnt work, then there are 3 possible issues:
1. No power is going to the fan (unlikely)
2. The fan is damaged (possible)
AC fan not working - how to troubleshoot and repair condenser fan motor - trane air condition
3. The fan's run start capacitor is bad (most common)
AC fan not working - how to repair broken HVAC Run Start Capacitor - air condition
hope that helps.
Hi - I sincerely appreciate the reply. AC unit produces cold air but the fan is blowing. I jiggled some wires and banged on the housing and it ran for a while. My problem is that I live in south FL in a rental house. Landlord isn't so nice. - in 4 years never used heat just AC. Is it possible just to wire up the fan for AC use?
Murray Strauss sorry, your situation isnt an obvious issue. All symptoms points to different things in the AC. Maybe you should try helpouts.google.com as some helpouts dont charge money.
DIY Tinker
Diy and Crafts ker hi
DIY Tinker q
Can you please help me out? I changed the capacitor already and AC fan still not turning on. I hear buzzing from the contactor, but I don't know how to hard start it. I don't see a button to press on the contactor, though I saw them do it on RUclips. Can it be the hardstart capacitor? It has Kickstart in there.
I hope you read this. So my fan was running but condensor was not in the middle of the night, I checked the capacitor which was bulged so I replaced it. WHile checking the contactor unit, I noticed a cracked black tab on the right side which separates the power bar and the 24v input prong so I replaced the contactor because chainging the capacitor did not fix the issue. Still not working I checked the over float (bar style little giant not round shaped one) that is attached to my over flow pan under the air handler. I have a direct drainage besides that overflow bar on the pan. I am confused a little when the float is tested to be bad? I guess my question is what should the float show volt ohms or volts wise when checked in which position? When tested with flow down it seems to set at ohms 0.3 but seems to bounce around. With float up as if water is present it sets at 1 ohms. So when the float is up is is completing the white wire to white wire ends connection such that it is the same as if the white wires were directly connected together that its pig tailed to or is it breaking the white wire connection? This is the last part I am can to try to replace before maybe calling service. The other things I tried are the RED/GREEN for fan and then RED GREEN YELLOW off of the therostat to see if all parts come on to eliminate a bad thermostat possibility? The fan comes on but the condensor still does not. If I push the contact bar on the condensor contactor on condensor panel area the condensor fan and condensor come on. When I checked the 24v to the condensor I am seeing 0 now. I thought I saw 24v at one time but can't remember now if it was when the old contactor was still on or this new one. But right now nada. When I check the leads on the thermostat with wires normally attached of from red to yellow, red to white or red to green I see the 24volts. I even checked the output of the 115v to 24v converter in the air handler by checking the common and red input leads (maybe I should have checked the output leads) that should be feeding to the condensor and did see voltage going into the circuit board of 24 volts and if not enough I would at see the reduced amount I would think on the condensor side. What am I missing to check other than this float but if you could kindly explain what the state does in terms of volts running through the white wire when float is up or down per my ? above. For me I need to know when the float of the bar type is up showing water is that the same as if the 2 white wires were directly connected without the float between? It seems when I connect the white wires together the fan finishes its cycle and never comes on again. There is btw no water in the pan as far as I can tell and so the drain I would think is working. Thanks for any help and suggestions.
Also I forgto to mention the float is a little giant brand and when i turn on the ac thermostat i here a quick click twice immediately.
I performed more 24v test with the fan running and the float setup back as it was in AUTO/COOL modes. The 24v reading between the red green, or white or yellow was much lower than 24v. When all is off 24v+ shows fully across the same probes. When turning fan to manual and no cool the red/green showed 0 and the fan ran and shut off as expected when moved back to AUTO on the thermostat from manual. Also I ran to the condensor during the original fan in Auto/Cool mode when mentioned volts was much less than 24 at the thermostat but yet not 0 found at the condensor end the voltes less than 1 for 24v check. So I am just going to pop for a float switch to see if thats causing gyrations. Though I tested the ohms reading for the float switch in float down position the reading settled on 0.3 but seemed to gyrate occassionally. When in up or water present mode it went to what I read as 1 but to me meant the open condition. So that gyration on the down side may not be connecting the white wire continuously with a good 24v flow? Any other suggestions I would appreciate.
hi and thanks for you help, i have a portable ac unit LG 10000 is olmost brandnew the first monts work fine but few weeks latter sone times blow cold air and some time blow only the fan mean regular air and, and the reset botton for the wire pop uot, so am push the botton again and am stare the unit again and do the same ting some time blow cold air and sone time regular fan and reset botn pop out can you help wt this problem my freend? thanks