A/C window unit problem

[Rocker4x4]

So I bought a brand new leftover from last year 28,000 btu Frigidaire for my well insulated garage. It cools it down awesome!! I've only ran it about 7 days (not continuous) It worked GREAT until today. When working like it should, you turned it on and could hear compressor kick on and "load" down and would blow ice cold air. So today I turned it on, I could just barley hear the compressor kick on, there was no "load" sound to it, and its not blowing cold air.. Tried few things off/on and nothing. Called Frigidaire cause there is suppose to be a warranty, said they are going to send someone out once they fine someone in my area. Sounds like load of ****, but I will call back in a day or two see if they still are.

So you a/c guys, is there any simple things I could check on a 7 day old a/c unit that just stopped blowing cold? If it had a leak and was low, the compressor wouldn't even try to kick on would it? Or if it is low would it still kick on but you wouldn't hear the "load" sound?? just thought i'd check with you guys before they send some guy out that wants to do nothing but not help me. its like a $900 a/c unit so I sure hope the make it right, but I have feeling i'll get short end of stick

 

[OzarkMan]

I hope you didn't pay $900 for it. Three years ago, I bought a frigidaire 28k btu ac from lowes at the end of the season for $266

I would take it back if you can. screw that.

 

[Git]

What is the actual difference in room temperature versus the temperature of the output air - should be 15 to 20 degrees

 

[Rocker4x4]

No, lucky I didn't pay that much. When it first worked, yeah it was blowing 20* difference. I couldn't believe how well it cooled.

 

[samss]

"If it had a leak and was low, the compressor wouldn't even try to kick on would it? Or if it is low would it still kick on but you wouldn't hear the "load" sound??"

The compressor is controlled by the thermostat, no pressure switch on a window unit. So, you would hear the compressor run/try to start even if there was no freon. If you're hearing the compressor try to start and then a click it's most likely a start capacitor or it's seized up. At this point the tech has to check a few things with a multimeter. Can you see the start/run caps?

 

[Rocker4x4]

I'll have to check, it should just look like a reg capacitor right? I should be able up check the ohms correct? This makes a little more sense if this is whats wrong, it worked great one day then not the next, a slow leak would be a gradual problem not over night,
Think a start capacitor could go bad this fast on new unit? Maybe i better pull it out and at least check for any loose wires.
You said compressor could be seized up. Anyway for it to unseize or basically it needs a new compressor then?

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

I'm not exactly sure of the timeline (is it only 7 days ago you bought it) but if it were me I would just return it if that's an option.

Thing could have been dropped and this is just the first of many headaches. Modern window ACs are rarely serviced, it's almost like a TV, most just buy a new one when it has issues. If I had a TV not working within a few days of purchase, I wouldn't fool with service calls, I'd just want a new one.

 

[Rocker4x4]

One other thing I should note, I noticed also the condenser fan wasn't blowing very hard, not like it normally does. Now I know the air wont be hot air coming off of it if the compressor is not working properly. But my little bit of research showed the compressor and condenser fan run off the same "dual" capacitor, correct? I just wonder if I got something going on there. Samss you've given me just a little hope, going check it out this evening

I can't really return it, store is long gone, (unit was bought last year) not sure how I would go about it, Guess i'll have to just deal with Frigidaire warranty crappy process if I can't figure it out, I really don't want to spend full retail 900 on one

 

[Falcon67]

>Frigidaire

Had a smaller one - didn't last one season. Threw it away and got an LG next time - still going after 3 years. The other unit I use is a Samsung and it's going on about 12 years.

 

[DieselNut88]

It could be a cap. You need a meter that can test caps. Or a capacitor tester. You need to test the farad rating.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you get inside there is very little to look at. The motor is usually INSIDE the compressor (typically a fat sausage-shaped can painted black). About all you can do is put your hand on it (it gets HOT quick !) to see if you can feel vibrations from the motor compressor. At least you know that it is spinning !

If the motor/compressor is good and if the refrigerant did NOT leak out (you need a gauge set to tell) then the likely culprit is the thermostatic expansion valve. The valve is not that expensive but the repair requires all of the typical A/C service equipment including a brazing torch.

The real issue is why that valve would fail so early in life. A few year back there was an issue with these valves getting clogged. A special chemical would clean them.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You can't put gauges on window shakers. There's no service ports. I doubt very highly it's a leak. they generally don't just develop a leak. It's most likely electrical.

Tommy

 

[Rocker4x4]

Tango was right, Got it pulled out last night, looking at it harder, I can see where it had been dropped. where the compressor was bolted to bottom, it hit there, and compressor is at a slight angle, also there is a line that comes off top compressor that was bent down and touching/rubbing side of it. I don't think it was enough for it to rub a hole in it but it is worn.
I really don't think these things are "serviceable" unless lots of time is spent sweating new lines in, adding ports. I can't believe Frigidaire is spending the money to send guy 35mi away to come look at this thing. Then who knows what they'll do after that. This wasn't a long term solution, just temporary till I install split system. I don't have 3-4k right now to spend on one. but was at least wanting to get through summer with this one

 

[theoldwizard1]

You can't put gauges on window shakers. There's no service ports.

Hmmm ... Must be a "recent" (like in the past 20 years ) cost cut !

Some of those big ones aren't cheap !!

 

[Falcon67]

It could be ****.

Fixed it for you

True - have not seen any charge ports on any window unit in a very long time. Maybe on the bigger 240V two ton units? Not on any 120V I've had in the last 30. Did have a friend repair one long ago and he added the ports. Wasn't worth the effort as I recall.

 

[rburke65]

Most if them are throw aways.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Hmmm ... Must be a "recent" (like in the past 20 years ) cost cut !

Well, if you call 50-60 years recent... Actually, I've never seen a window unit (or any residential appliance) with OEM service ports. To me, to find service ports on that type of equipment is a sure sign it has been messed with. It's an absolute if it has piercing type ports.

Tommy

 

[Williamtell]

If you just bought it take it back. Screw waiting for a watreny repair.

 

[MrSurly]

If you just bought it take it back. Screw waiting for a watreny repair.

I think you missed where the OP mentioned that he bought it over a year ago at a close out. Only just now installed it though. Store’s long gone.


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