Quick air conditioner question

[swbsam]

In a previous thread I mentioned trying to cool my huge new living room with an underpowered a/c - I took everyone's advice and just opted for a new a/c. I got a 24,500 btu AC on monday and just got it professionally installed yesterday.

The install went very smoothly but the compressor doesn't seems to turn on, the fan just runs and runs.


What could cause this other than a broken ac? I called LG and they're sending a service tech in soon for free warranty repair but I hate being ignorant about things like this - could anything else be the issue, besides a broken A/C? The wiring is 230 (?) / 20 amp and everything in the apartment is brand new.

The main reason I'd like to know possible factors is because I don't want the repair guy to charge me for something that was clearly a defect.

 

[OrByte]

he shouldnt be charging you anything, isnt it under warranty?

could be a few things, anything from not having the unit wiring correctly to an actual bad compressor (which has happened to me right out of the box)

edit: at least this time make sure it is running and cooling before the tech leaves.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: OrByte
he shouldnt be charging you anything, isnt it under warranty?

could be a few things, anything from not having the unit wiring correctly to an actual bad compressor (which has happened to me right out of the box)

LG is sending a local affiliate, meaning he could easily say "yeah, that's not covered under the warranty"

Red flags are just going off because, while LG has been respectful and even apologetic, the local repair guy's office has been rude and standoffish - makes me want to be prepared for any b.s.

 

[BigJ]

Do you know how to test voltage on residential electrical wires? If so, make sure you have ~110v from each hot to ground. That will at least eliminate the wiring issue.

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: OrByte
he shouldnt be charging you anything, isnt it under warranty?

could be a few things, anything from not having the unit wiring correctly to an actual bad compressor (which has happened to me right out of the box)

LG is sending a local affiliate, meaning he could easily say "yeah, that's not covered under the warranty"

Red flags are just going off because, while LG has been respectful and even apologetic, the local repair guy's office has been rude and standoffish - makes me want to be prepared for any b.s.

hmmm I just went thru a similar situation.

I wouldn't test or do anything with the unit, because if they do suspect tampering or that you have actually opened the unit that could void your warranty.

The most you can do is check the current going into the unitt like BigJ says... but I'd leave it at that.

hell even your thermostat could be the problem. You'd best sit tight and see what the tech has to say. If you dont like it or if you are suspicious then get LG to send another company out there...That is essentially what I had to do.

The first tech that came out to the house said I needed two new units because the two I had were toast. I got a second company out there that said differently and it saved me a big chunk of change. And the BBB was notified of the first company that came out to my place.

good luck.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: OrByte

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: OrByte
he shouldnt be charging you anything, isnt it under warranty?

could be a few things, anything from not having the unit wiring correctly to an actual bad compressor (which has happened to me right out of the box)

LG is sending a local affiliate, meaning he could easily say "yeah, that's not covered under the warranty"

Red flags are just going off because, while LG has been respectful and even apologetic, the local repair guy's office has been rude and standoffish - makes me want to be prepared for any b.s.

hmmm I just went thru a similar situation.

I wouldn't test or do anything with the unit, because if they do suspect tampering or that you have actually opened the unit that could void your warranty.

The most you can do is check the current going into the unitt like BigJ says... but I'd leave it at that.

hell even your thermostat could be the problem. You'd best sit tight and see what the tech has to say. If you dont like it or if you are suspicious then get LG to send another company out there...That is essentially what I had to do.

The first tech that came out to the house said I needed two new units because the two I had were toast. I got a second company out there that said differently and it saved me a big chunk of change. And the BBB was notified of the first company that came out to my place.

good luck.

Thanks for the advice - I'm just so tired of repair guys trying to screw people over! Sending him on his way if he demands extra money is excellent advice.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Why did you not contact the people that installed the system first.

 

[olds]

Start capacitor(s)

 

[KeithTalent]

There's obviously a mouse in there fucking your shit up.

KT

 

[OrByte]

yes you can always decline the service work. Just let the tech know up front that you need to make sure that any work that needs to be completed is covered by the warranty and if not then you need to know about it first.

and if LG doesnt want to send someone else out there to work on it then they can send someone else out there to pick it up and take it away right?

If you just bought and installed the unit you should have a lot of leverage on this issue. I would be surprised if any of this is on your dime.

Also, when you say LG I am assuming you are working with a dealership over the install and not the manufacturer yet right? The dealership or retailer that you bought from should be the party helping you out in this. Just seeking clarification.

 

[Paperdoc]

I'm making an assumption here. You say the compressor does not run. If that's the case, the temperature of the air coming our of the AC unit will be exactly the same as the room is. Is that right? Because if the air coming out is cooler than your room, the compressor is running, just quietly.

If it is not actually cooling anything, try turning the temperature control knob to the coldest setting. That would force the compressor to come on if it can and stay on until you turn the control back. A significant change in air temperaure coming out would tell you if that works. All of this does not open the case and does not affect your warranty.

Did it ever make cold air? In some situations an air conditioner can work too well and freeze water up on its cooling coils. Then a sensor system shuts it down to protect it, and it will stay down until the ice melts off - can be a long time. Then it MIGHT re-start and try to cool, only to repeat the problem. Or, it might just stay off until reset. In either case, if that is happening it should not, and a warranty repair or adjustment is in order.