Outside AC not working, Question?

[DCal430]

So the outside AC fan doesn't run, except if you hit it with a stick. Then it spins, and seems to run fine.

The AC people will be over tomorrow to look at it, but is their anything wrong with running it today, using a stick to get it started?

 

[Kwatt]

So the outside AC fan doesn't run, except if you hit it with a stick. Then it spins, and seems to run fine.

The AC people will be over tomorrow to look at it, but is their anything wrong with running it today, using a stick to get it started?

I would not do it, but I have a box of capacitors.🙂 If you were close enough it is about a ten minute job to change if my battery screwdriver is charged.

Lot of side effects to that fan not running. I.E. over-temp and over pressure.
If you start the fan with the stick every time the AC cycles back on. You should be OK. I don't know have never tried it. When the thermostat is satisfied and the AC shuts down. I would turn the unit off at the thermostat until I was ready to resart manualy. I will not guess as to how much if any this will shorten the life of any part of the unit.

I would do it if I had no other choice but would wait until I could not stand the heat any longer. And run it as long as it takes till the thermostat is satisfied.

.

 

[Rumpltzer]

AC startup cap is what's being referred to...

Less than a $30 part. Ten minutes of your time, a screwdriver, and enough common sense not to kill yourself... otherwise, HVAC repairman will charge somewhere in the $100 to $300 range.

Depending on where you live and the HVAC repair places, you may be able to buy the part locally or maybe at a local Grainger. Otherwise, it's bought through the Interwebs.