Share This Guide
Is your Frigidaire air conditioner compressor not turning on? It’s not uncommon for an air compressor to fail; when a Frigidaire AC compressor fails, it could be due to a few reasons.
These include:
- Thermostat issues
- Defective temperature control board
- Defective AC compressor capacitor
- Bad AC Contactor
- Defective Relay Board
- Elector switch
Read also: AC Compressor Not Working but Fan Is Running
Main Frigidaire AC Compressor Issues For Not Turning On
1. Thermostat Sensor Issues
If your Frigidaire air conditioner compressor is not turning on, its thermostat sensor could be defective. Your thermostat is found within your indoor unit in a split system air conditioner.
A thermostat sensor that has stopped working will not turn on your ac compressor. Thermostat sensors are found in your inside unit near the evaporator coil. Sometimes your sensor can be bent. Putting back in position a bent flame sensor should solve the problem.
Other times your flame sensor will have a problem that can not easily be fixed. In this case you will need to call an HVAC technician for help.
2. Defective Temperature Control Board.
A defective temperature control board can be the reason your Frigidaire ac compressor won’t turn on. A temperature control board sends 24v to the compressor and fan when there is a call for cooling. In cases where the temperature control board is not working, no signals will be sent to your compressor to start running.
Temperature control boards are replaceable. Just make sure that you rule any other possible issues before you decide to replace your temperature control board.
3. Defective Capacitor
Defective capacitors are common reasons why an ac compressor won’t start. A capacitor plays a vital role in the running of your air conditioner because it gives energy your compressor and a fan motor.
A capacitor is typically found in the outdoor condenser unit. To check if your capacitor is bad, turn off the power switch of your air conditioner systems.
Unlike a heat pump or central air conditioning system, a split ac system has a single switch located in your house. Turn off the switch and get a screwdriver to uncover your condenser unit.
Open the condenser cover and do the following:
- Take note of the wiring, if possible, write them down or snap them. This is to avoid problems when it comes to installing a new capacitor.
- Don’t be surprised to see a capacitor whose top has bulged. This is a clear sign that its defective.
- Use a screwdriver to discharge your capacitor by connecting any two capacitor terminals.
- After discharging the voltage from the capacitor, use a multimeter to test your capacitor for continuity. If you don’t have a multimeter, find out if power reaches your condenser unit. This can be done by manually testing your ac contactor.
4. Bad AC Contactor
If you have a bad contactor, your air conditioner won’t turn on, no matter how often you try turning it on. A contactor is known for completing the AC systems’ electrical circuit.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YCygHajsW34
To know if your contactor is defective or not, you can use a multimeter to test it for continuity. Alternatively, you can just use your screwdriver to push one contact onto the other one to complete the circuit. If the ac unit fires up, your ac contactor definitely has a problem.
Otherwise, if the unit doesn’t run at all, that’s when you can try to troubleshoot your capacitor.
5. Defective Relay Board
A relay board is responsible for sending voltage to any other part of your air conditioner for starting and running. If it’s defective, it won’t do its job, and your compressor won’t be powered up.
6. A Defective AC Main Board.
An AC main board receives instructions from the thermostat about cooling. The relay voltage to other components of an AC is concerned with a specific task. Let’s say for cooling, the main control board will send a cooling signal to the compressor.
7. A Dead Compressor
This is not so common, but if your ac unit is more than 10 years old, it can happen. A compressor is designed to run throughout the life of your air conditioner system. But if it fails early, you have two options to fix this problem:
- Replace your ac compressor: If your ac system is relatively new (less than 5 years), you can have your compressor replaced.
- If your AC system is older, I recommend you replace the whole system The rule of thumb is, if the total cost of replacing your compressor is less than half of that for buying and installing a whole system, keep it. Otherwise, if it’s higher than 50% of the cost of getting a new system, then replace it.
After your compressor not turning issue is resolved but your air conditioner is still not working, there could be other issues for the problem. Let’s dive right into those issues.
Also read: Air Conditioner Running But Not Cooling [Solved]
Why Is My Frigidaire Air Conditioner Not Cooling?
If you are dealing with a Frigidaire air conditioner that is not cooling, several issues could be causing this problem. Some of these issues include:
- Remote control problems
- Dirty air filters
- Undersized ac system
- Open windows and doors
- Leaking refrigerant
1. Remote Control Messing Up
Your mini split air conditioner remote control could be messing with you. Check if your remote control is set to cool. And make sure the temperature is below your room temperature reading.
If the remote control batteries are flat, they could also affect how your air conditioner system works. Replace batteries if you notice that your ac is not responding to temperature adjustments on your remote control.
Besides these thermostat issues, you might also have a defective thermostat. A thermostat can either be fixed or replaced but it will entirely depend on what your HVAC guy advises. It’s in order to call HVAC professionals when you face this problem.
2. Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters are the most common reason a Frigidaire air conditioner is not cooling.
Air filters are an important part of your air conditioning system because they screen out dust and other unwanted substances from getting into your cooling system. This will prevent your evaporator coil from getting dirty and sooty. And air filters also ensure that the air that is blown into your home has less harmful substances in it.
I know that if you have pets around, you wouldn’t want pet hair to be blown into your home. filter That’s where air filters come in; they catch all that for you.
So then, what will happen if the air filter gets too dirty and clogged?
Clogged air filters will restrict airflow to the evaporator coil. And that limits the amount of cool air that blows into your home.
If filters remain unchanged, dirty air can bypass them and deposit dirt and other substances onto the evaporator coil. This will make it hard for the coil to absorb heat from the indoor air. Sometimes it can also cause your evaporator coil’s surface to freeze or have ice build up.
To prevent all that and ensure that your ac is running and cooling your home without problems, you’ll need to clean air filters every 1-2 months. If your filters are non-reusable ones, you can replace them every 2 months or as recommended by your manufacturer.
4. Undersized AC System
When your mini split air conditioner is blowing cold air but not cooling your room, you need to check if you have the right size of your air conditioner.
An air conditioner with BTUs ratings lower than what is needed for your room or home will not cool your home enough. But there are a few things you can try to do to improve cooling for an undersized ac unit. These include closing windows and openings to the outside. When you have an undersized air conditioner, it will overwork in trying to cool your place.
5. Windows and Doors
If your windows and doors are open, your air conditioner will not cool your home even if you have a right-sized one. An air conditioner transfers heat from your indoor air to the outdoor air.
This process ensures that your indoor environment remains cool when your outdoor air is hot. This will cause the indoor air pressure to come down.
But when doors and windows are open, warmer air from outside will get into your space and that’s why you may feel like your ac is not cooling enough.
You can improve your air conditioner’s cooling by closing open doors and windows. That is, if you are using a mini split air conditioner to cool your home.
6. Leaking Refrigerant
Another reason for a Frigidaire air conditioner not cooling is a leaking refrigerant. This doesn’t happen often, but when there is a leak in your cooling, the refrigerant will escape, and your ac won’t blow any cool air.
A refrigerant is a chemical that’s responsible for absorbing heat from your indoor air and disposing of it outside. If you believe your refrigerant has leaked out, you need to call a licensed HVAC technician to come and look at your ac system.
If your refrigerant has leaked out, a technician will start troubleshooting by pinpointing and sealing the leaks before recharging your cooling system with a R22 (common refrigerant.)
Final Thought
If you have managed to fix a Frigidaire air conditioner compressor not turning on the problem after reading out tips, congratulations. We’d also love to advise you to have ac scheduled maintenance at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. Otherwise, if you still have problems with a Frigidaire air conditioner not cooling your home, perhaps call local HVAC experts.
HVAC tech with over 30 years of experience. Retired and doing repair work on the side around Madison County, AL.
