Was Quoted $450. I Fixed It For $19! AC Contactor Testing and Replacement
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- Опубликовано: 1 сен 2023
- If your AC unit isn't woking, in this video I will show you how I go about diagnosing and replacing an AC contactor. This repair is not nearly as common as a capacitor but it is still a fairly common issue that can and probably will come up at some point. The capacitor though, the majority of the times is the culprit. This repair can range anywhere from $120-$600 depending on the company, but I replaced mine for $19.
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Check To Make Sure Your New Contactor Specs Match Up With Your Current Contactor.
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Have you ever received a bill that seemed way too high for this kind of repair? Crazy how one company can charge what seems like a fair price while another charges double or more.
I've paid all over the map on HVAC service, I think I finally found a guy that I can trust for the stuff I can't do and does not charge a crazy fee. Over the last year I've replaced a start capacitor and the air handler delay contactor. Both cost less than $20 and took less than an hour. HVAC units are arguably the least complicated and least expensive appliance in your house for diy repairs. They disassemble very easy and as you showed it is not hard to swap stuff out. The compressor and refrigerant are outside the diy scope but that part of the system is usually pretty reliable, and you can pretty easily diagnose when you need call in an expert. In my most recent case the unit was icing up both in the winter and summer and it would get stuck blowing cold because the reversing valve was not reversing -- a telltale sign that it is low on refrigerant. You can also measure the temperature of air vs ambient to make sure it has at least 20 degrees rise or drop vs the return air temperature. Most of the other appliances in your house go together like origami, have computer boards and actuators and small motor or pump assemblies that fail, and are a bit of a black box and often expensive. HVAC are pretty simple and straightforward and most of the parts are pretty easily available and inexpensive. The thermostats have all the fancy computer bits now.
You have never dealt with a real issue before lol. Yes, generally they can be easy. But if you don't know what you are doing, you will eventually meet your match!@@jamesthomas4080
Changed my capacitor and contactor for $40. Took 10 mins. I do it every 4-5 years.
Because of your helpful videos, I have purchased a spare capacitor and contactor 'just in case'. Thanks for your insight to diagnose a potential problem down the road.
😂😂😂 just buy a spare ac unit
God bless you for honesty! Many are getting over on the elderly. To buy new units. You solved the problem Correctly, relay switch needed
Your videos are always so very informative and I can’t thank you enough for sharing this information with us!😊
Another awesome instructional video! Thank you so much. I'll be changing the contractor and capacitor on a regular basis.
You’re very welcome. Really glad to hear you have found value in the channel. Thanks a lot for the feedback!
Thank you for your very clear instructions
Your the MVP for the content you put out you dont know how many costly bills you saved me from paying when I could have just done it my self.
Thank you for all your teaching.
Thank you! I just subscribed.
These companies are not playing fair out here.
They are charging prices like they're working on the houses of millionaires. Or corporate and government buildings.
No 1 should have to pay 2-3 weeks of their salary ( AFTER ALL DEDUCTIONS ) for a couple hours of work & $30 in parts.
I received a quote for over $1,000 to replace the contactor and the capacitor. I purchased both myself, for $40.
I started to write that these companies are going to drive themselves out of business with the sky high prices, but I guess there are alot of people who will pay anything to have something fixed.
The people who cant afford it will just have to find a cheaper way to solve the problem.
& the world keeps spinning.
So here in hot & humid Houston TX, I simply replace the contactor and cap every three years, and always have a spare set on hand. Outside of keeping your coils clean, it's a top way to keep your AC happy.
What causes the contactor to go bad on a 5 year old unit? Mine is buzzing when it turns on and quiets down but will continue the loud buzzing afterwards
@orlandopena9992 heat and humidity! If it's buzzing it needs replaced!
@@Xdonald331 do you happen to live in SW Houston? If so you can help me do mine? haha!! I got a quote for $550.00!!
Now redo it! But I know you want it to look the same. But for safety! The contactor should be flipped 180 degrees. L1 & L2 are for the incoming voltage or Line voltage (from the power company). T1 & T2 are for the load side (compressor/Fan motor/etc). Same goes for the wiring in the disconnect on the outside wall & the disconnect and breakers for the air handler. I can’t tell you how many times ppl wire them or cross them. Some disconnects if crossed can still let voltage through, zap & shock you! Always do it correct the first time! Keep it safe for the next tech!
I remember someone else said to turn contactor 180 degrees, even though the writing will be upside down. Thanks for clarifying why. Different brands are designed differently. Is the shunt side supposed to be on the left or right though? The shunt on his old contactor was on the right and that is how he installed the new one, on the right.
At my old home the contactor in one of my AC units failed. Turned out the plunger spring in it broke. In a pinch, I pulled a spring out of a ball point pen and was able to install it in the old contactor MacGyver style. That contactor worked for over 5 years after that and I finally moved out of that house and never did have to replace it.
Great video! 👍
Thank you for all your helpful videos. Question could you check voltage drop between number 11 where the red wire is and number 21 on top to see if the contact is still good?
Wow, good to know thanks.
Nice! Thank you very much. 👍
Another great video. You are da man!😊
Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Ray!
After turning off all power, Do you need to discharge the capacitor before touching any wires on the contactor?Thanks for your video.
Truly excellent video. Thanks.
Just had my contactor go bad with a short in the coil. it was as reading 1.8 ohms across the coil. Will be an easy fix and saved me hundreds.
My fan is not turning I think most likely a bad compasitpr but I can only give you my ruud ac unit model np 13 ajn 24aol please help meat h what will fit for me please?
Thank you
Very good explanation and informative 👍😎🇺🇸NY
My Dad paid $150 to have a capacitor replaced. Two weeks later he had to pay $150 again for the upstairs unit capacitor. Probably could have received a big discount if he had both changed on first visit. That winter my heat pump wasn’t working. So I replaced contactors and capacitors for both of my units at the same time. Only one capacitor was bad but the extra $30-40 in parts and 20 minutes saved me the aggravation of swapping parts at some later date.
Where do you buy those?
The big box stores?
@@netpasya ordered parts online
Since both the contactor and condenser are fairly inexpensive, would you suggest a regular preventative maintenance plan to simply replace both the condenser and contactor every ~ 5-6 years just to eliminate any downtime due to a failure of either?
I manage 39 homes. I test each, start of every season.
I replace mine every 3-4 years
The HVAC unit in my brother's condo has a strange, intermittent behavior: it can stay on beyond the time when the temperature displayed by the thermostat reaches the thermostat's set point, so the temperature will go far beyond the set temperature. Is this problem more likely due to a fault in the thermostat or a fault in the HVAC unit?
Notes: (1) The thermostat is pretty old, but appears to function well except perhaps for this intermittent problem. (2) Four wires connect the thermostat & HVAC.
Good show
Replaced the contactor in one of my old AC systems. Easy but the specific replacement for my 47 yo unit was very difficult to find.
What was specific about it that made it different from the typical?
@@mtnman1984 220 v. coil and thicker with odd shape.
@@wholeNwon that is different
great video, thanks for sharing, what are the symptoms of a bad capacitor? My A/C condenser makes a real LOUD buzzing/humming like noise when is really hot/cold out, is it likely due to a bad capacitor?
Are solid state relays ever used instead of mechanical?
They make soft starts specifically for starting these up. Should make the contactor and compressor last longer.
That plastic cover on the contactor will come off, you just have to pry at it. Not as easy as the ones with little screws. There's a device out there called the Emerson Sure Switch that can replace the contactor and add brownout protection. It's quieter than a traditional contactor and has a fully enclosed relay which will keep debris and ants out of it.
I would use solder on fork or ring terminals especially since it's exposed to outdoor elements. Corrosion and vibration can decrease conductivity. Soldering does away with both threat's.
My thermostat suddenly wouldnt work, and stopped working exactly when it tried kicking the AC on. I was like wtf? After some investigation I found a blown fuse on the board on the furnace. Well, replaced it, tried turning the ac on again. Boom, blown fuse. Turns out, the little contactor had no resistance at the coil...
Mine just started doing the exact samething. Did u have to replace the contactor ?
Some of these companies have a diagnostic fee, then price out repairs from menu pricing like auto dealerships do , a set price for time and materials, and some charge actual time and materials, time starts when tech receives call and ends when backs out of drive heading to next call, also supply and demand, good profession if you don’t mind working in the elements, there is and has been a shortage of technicians for sometime now, been in all facets of HVAC trade for 40 years, I always say we give better service than your doctor when’s last time your doctor made a house call ( like never) and we provide same day service on emergency calls with 24 hour availability
People are just cheap. They want us to fix it for 20 bucks and call it day. Like come on why have a house if you can’t afford fixing your equipment. Just rent instead.
Like to see them replace an evaporator coil or compressor. Do customers complain about auto mechanics hourly rate!
Mann I thank you so much for this video. Hoping you can assist me here, still. My heat pump outdoor unit is NOT STARTING at all. In either heat nor cool. SO, I changed the contactor and the Capacitor, but it did not help. The pc board, (defrost) status is indicating a "low pressure lock out". Would you have a idea, what else I could do here? Can this RHEEM pc board be RESET? or trouble shooted. I hope it is not a refrigerant issue. The indoor unit seem to be working ok, it comes on and blows continually. So, I am thinking the T'stat is ok. Man I in deep, on this one. but, Thanks again.
Thanks for the video. I'm replacing my contactor and I have 3 low voltage wires on one side and only 2 terminals, and I can't find any contactors with 3 terminals on one side . Is there an adapter for this?
Piggy terminal is how is called or put the wires together with a wire nut. Orange Color will work
Here in Texas ants have been horrible this year.
You mentioned it’s been enough years to go ahead and replace it for maintenance, how many years has it been?
Mine is almost 8 years old.
Explain all the wires going to contactor. Thanks.
There's two that energize it and two that energize the compressor and fan, two others are the signal to close.
I didn't go in depth on purpose because there are some differences on different folks contactors. That's why I say to take pictures and follow the wiring diagram on your individual unit.
@@rcstl8815- one goes to the compressor heater ring too
Capacitors not only go bad on air-conditioners but also on freezers. With an air conditioner it's an inconvenience when one goes bad. On your freezer you could lose hundreds of dollars if your meat and other items spoil while you are waiting on a replacement capacitor. It can be a nightmare. When mine went out I was lucky I was lucky I had a neighbor that had enough room in their freezer. So, I bought two capacitors so that I had a spare in case it went bad again.
My contactor was mostly plastic and stuck on on.
I replaced my contactor.... it wasn't bad, but it also didn't have the test button. Once replaced, I was able to figure out that the problem was with the 24VAC line from the house, and the test button let me know the condenser was all good and firing up (meaning it had pressure). It ended up being the wire nut on the 24VAC control line coming into the condenser - the HVAC guy who had last serviced it had done a poor job with the wiring. Easy fix, and my AC was working. I have a new contactor and capacitor, and the old ones go into the storage box if I ever need them.
What if you can’t find the exact contactor…for example I can’t find a replacement for my contactor zettler xmc0-251-ebbb with these ratings FLA 25, VAC 240/277, LRA 150, RES 35. What can I replace it with?? Thanks
Hello I ordered the part xmco-321ebbc , but the LRA 180 will it effect the ac unit? The old one is 150
Everything is cheaper when you know how to fix it yourself but most people don't. Consider yourself lucky that you do.
💪🇺🇸❄️👍 that's great u did it urself. $450 way too high. $195 would b more appropriate remember techs have to drive out diagnosis n repair n pay taxes, health insurance biz insurance etc...not worth driving to a service call for nickels n dimes
Yeah, I would say that is a reasonable price. Appreciate the input!
@@HowToHomeDIY I appreciate ur videos especially electrical vids
A guy quoted me $350 for a $20 capacitor. I told him "That's nuts. Since you're out here, I'll pay you $180 to swap it." He refused, so I paid the $89 visit/diagnosis, and saved $240.
@@myfakeguuglaccount8307 it used to be simple. Just " Parts & Labor ".
1. The cost of the part.
2. The labor cost per hour &
3. The # of hours that the job will take. That's it.
Now these companies see where they can charge anything they want and enough people will pay it.
They don't care about who cant afford their prices.
I'm not trying to be funny, but there are people out there who can't turn a ratchet & socket. Those are the ones who need & probably make 6 figures or more.
I've always heard knowledge is power.
& all the information you find on YT is proof of that.
When you buy it yerself you can buy the highest quality and avoid the planned obsolescence brand.
A couple of comments. 1. You should do voltage checks with one hand, not two, like chop sticks. For safety. 2. Did you torque the screws on the contactor? There is a torque value listed on the contactor. (Commonly 25 in/lb for screws, 40 in/lb for lugs). It is best practice and NEC code requirement.
Damn you sound mad. He's just showing us how to save money from dishonest tech. Can you show him love instead.
@scredlysmith2153 I have in many videos. I'm just trying to make sure people don't get hurt and the job is done right. Also, I want my students to have jobs after their education. Not everything is DIY.
No, wasting money replacing parts their AC's they don't need. ACs have a lot more parts than a contactor and compacitor. @@scredlysmith2153
I’m definitely gonna to buy one of each, the contactor and capacitor. Thanks for the great video!
so on the contactor, i'm getting 240 out of the source wires connected to the top screws(on my model). on the pass through, (on the bottom) i'm not reading anything on the 2 on the bottom, however, if i test them separately, each has 120. yes, both. but if i try together, i get nothing. i dont know how that is possible
What about if my ac won’t turn off even with the thermostat off. How do I test if my contractor has fused together creating continuous power
If I turn the thermostat on, nothing happens, that button on the contactor doesn't go in. If I manually press the button on the contactor, everything kicks on. Would that be a problem with the contactor or the thermostat?
Mine just went out. It’s a 20 buck part I could’ve done myself. I was billed 150.
A local heating contractor quoted $180 + parts to replace a 4mfd run capacitor. My cost for the part, $1.62+tax. Sheesh.
Don’t forget that a bad contractor can blow the fuse in the air handler.
Where do you purchase your hvac replacement parts?
Amazon mostly. Have links for them in the description of the video.
If you plan on replacing your own contactor then upgrade it to a Emerson SureSwitch.
Having trouble trying to match up my A/C contactor. Can you help me! I have a Lennox! M/N 10ACC-060-230-02 Can’t find the correct FLA or LRA that match from existing. Thank you
Went temperature 90 the greed outside i put temperature 75 in the morning get 75 in later gosh out to 80
How can I get help by knowing someone can take my ruud ac unit model np. 13ajn24,aol I need a capacitor for this please help me?
Here in Miami some Co s charge flat Rate 325 to 450 i see up to 625 depending the area and neighbor,,,,,cause is a big city and after hours Co s abuse the opportunity to do it. My Co is a svc contract type we only charge once a year fee We must be a blessing in disguise Cause when people call the Real COD conpanies is when they realize about it. Trust me i wouldnt work for a crook Co by my own Core Values,,,,,,,do unto others....amen
^5
mY AC company wanted $450 for this job!
The most common reason for contact or failure is nothing to do with insects are vaporized immediately when the contact is made... 95% of contactors failed due to poor maintenance of the and the overheating of the points due to poor maintenance...
Not what I’ve heard from the AC techs I’ve spoken with.
@@HowToHomeDIY I'm terribly sorry you were told wrong.. oxygen, moisture, ascetics, and overhearing! This is all premature part failure due to lack of preventive maintenance... I'm pretty sure a simple Google search will tell you the same. The AC text you were talkin to most likely is not in the business for 29 years.. in 29 years I have never saw an cause premature part failure to a contactor.. control board's definitely! A lot of your followers aren't professional AC guys and just like me respect your opinions and your videos. Not trying to bust your balls just trying to keep you from making mistakes and causing other people to look like just because a couple of technicians didn't know any better that you spoke with...
Oh yeah there are definitely other reasons. I think I even mention pitting of the contacts from heat and voltage and corrosion being some of the reasons it can go bad in the video. The last ac tech that was out told me he’s seen them with issues from bugs getting in them, he specifically mentioned ants. So just sharing what he said he experienced. Maybe it’s a regional thing. I don’t know. I appreciate the honest feedback! Hope your business is doing well!
@@HowToHomeDIY I just posted a link to that video... A guy with your on-camera confidence could take this and make it a kick butt video..
God bless you for being humble and honest. The devil and greed are stealing money from the most vulnerable of people! Thank you for denying him from that victory!
That’s is not the case Sharon. The technician has insurance to pay along with his bills, materials, his time and experience.
Welp i watched this video and it was surely our contactor lol. Too bad we had someone come out for $100. Next time i know
You make lots of dishonest tech mad by showing us how to save some cold hard cash. I see the comments some even go into the code book.
Yes, out of all the different trade videos I have done, these AC videos have definitely received the most anger from techs. Plenty have said I’m taking food out of their families mouths by making these. Just trying to help homeowners be able to put food in theirs too. There are still plenty of things AC techs can do that homeowners probably should not deal with. But the items in this video are really easy and for many, extremely profitable. So I know why I’m getting the comments. Thanks a lot for the feedback!
I agree on the price 450 dollars for a contactor that’s crazy. 150 or. 190 that sounds better.
@jesrovalenzuela1346 that’s much more fair.
We are getting scammed daily
Worse than dealership car repair, if that's possible. Oh, there's home appliance repair, too.
You are not being scammed. You are paying for the cost of a 35 thousand dollar van including insurance coming to your home. The cost of training that technician, his salary including his benefits. The cost of the office staff that dispatched him. The cost of inventory sitting in that van. The cost of advertising so you know who to call and lots of other expenses that company has.
@@retirementpirate3665$400 still seems excessive. Many of those same expenses would apply to a pizza delivery that they can do profitably for $20.
If that’s what you think I advise you to listen to this guy, but when you finally decide to call ensure you tell them YOU worked on it first
Tell that to your doctor and lawyers. That’s a scam
I sure hope somebody don't electrocute them self due to the lack of safety in this video! You need to be telling people to turn the power off before they open that damn door or you going to get somebody killed dude!
Looks like a rat's nest! lol forget about it. call a pro. :P
It’s not. They are just all zip tied together to keep them all together and not a rats nest. But yeah you call a pro.
So first at 2:21
"So let's go ahead and turn on our thermostat have it call for air and then we'll check our top terminals."
Then at 2:30
"So now the AC is on. You can see that the plunger is now depressed and being pulled inside of the contactor there. "
But they look EXACTLY the same????? Even staring at it for a long time I can't see a pixel of difference between 2:21 and 2:30, except perhaps the wires above shifted a little. I must be really blind or? Can anyone else see a difference? Or is he kidding us?
If anyone can see a difference would you kindly explain it to me? Btw I have no idea what part the plunger even is. Its shape or color. Ugh feel so lost here.
@@linsqopiring6816 The plunger is the black rectangular shape, exactly in the middle of the contactor.
It basically looks like a push button on/ off switch.
Its also the only part of the face of the contactor where there are no words written.
@@do7hemath937
How can a black rectangular shape that doesn't move be a plunger?
"plung·er
/ˈplənjər/
noun
1.a device consisting of a rubber cup on a long handle, used to clear blocked pipes by means of water pressure."
I know contactor plungers are not going to have exactly the same definition as plumbing ones but I'd think they might have at least something in common? I'm so confused.
@@linsqopiring6816not sure if you are trying to be a smart guy or genuinely don’t have a clue. It is just referred to as the plunger in HVAC talk. To you it would be called a button I suppose. But don’t look that up because you will think it’s something that’s on your shirt 😂. And yes, the plunger is clearly engaged in the second time stamp you listed.
@@johnpicard4909
No need to be snarky or put people down I'm trying my best to understand and it's already frustrating enough. Obviously I know there are different kinds of buttons but I've never heard different meanings for "plunger". So that's a rather unfair example.
Apart from it looking exactly the same when he says "you can see the difference" there's not any clear explanation about even the basic idea of what's even going on. If the thing needs to be off when not "calling for air" as he says, why isn't it just switched off? Why is there a need for a plunger and what does it do?
I know it's going to be so obvious for you because you're a super DIY genius. But if all you can do is ridicule then please don't bother to respond because it's not helpful.
I'm not ripping your video apart but I am going to point out something so hopefully in the future you'll know.. that's called a pole and a half contactor ..
Yes let's have the general public jump right in to fixing their air conditioning system...
Extremely bad idea.
It's also extremely annoying although it doesn't happen very often where customers have fiddled around with their system making it even more difficult to fix because you don't know what the hell they've done..
I disagree with these videos immensely..
It's downright dangerous.
Are you going to write this on every video on a DIY channel? 😂 you might be scared and incapable but that’s not everyone. Could not care less that you disagree.
Bravo.👍👏🎖
Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!
hey man, really helpful content. Can i have your business email?