The ac compressor is an important part of an ac unit. If something wrong happens to your relay, then your Ac compressor won’t receive any power and won’t function at all. That brings about the need to learn how to fix a stuck relay on the Ac unit.
Relays are usually associated with two issues. They either get stuck or can get damaged. When stuck, the Ac won’t turn on. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to fix a stuck relay on Ac switch.
How To Fix A Stuck Relay On Ac Unit
If you found that your ac unit isn’t functioning well as it should be, there are a few things you can do before actually calling in an ac repair service. Below, we shared some easy tips to fix a stuck relay on an Ac unit.
Knock it A couple of Times
Of course, this might sound like a wonder but it’s one of the effective solutions to fixing a stuck relay- although it works only sometimes, especially where the issue isn’t major.
You might also find something stuck on the relays. The easiest way to unstuck dirt and debris from your relay is by cleaning. To do this, you just need access to the Ac fan relay switch location. It’s typically found on the user guide of the AC unit. Alternatively, you can check it out on the internet.
They are usually on the back or the sides of an Ac unit. In case you have tried these solutions with no positive results, then you probably need to try something else- replacing the stuck relay.
It would be best if you have a professional technician to get the job done. Meanwhile, we will walk you through the steps of replacing a relay. Note that this is a solution to a damaged relay. This is how you replace the AC relay switch:
Use the Right Relay
Take the new relay you have purchased and check if it matches the previous one. The design, shape, and electrical specifications of both models should be the same. So, keep this in mind before replacing the relay.
Disconnect Power
Before you start the process, you need to turn off the circuit breaker of the air conditioner. Or alternatively, disconnect the switch. Failing to disconnect the power can harm you a lot because relays are the intermediaries to transfer electricity throughout the air conditioner.
Keeping Track of Terminal ID
On the relay, you’ll find some wires. The point here is to tape all of them. You might want to use masking tape for this purpose because you have to write the terminal ID on every terminal.
You have to draw the relay and terminals depending on your wiring. This way, you will be able to keep track of the relay as well as the wiring you did.
Pulling Terminal Connector
At this point, grab a needle-nose prier and pull the wires’ terminal connector. Check that you are gripping the connector as gripping the wire can ruin them completely.
Unscrewing the Relay
The relay will most likely be crewed into the ac unit. You just need to unscrew the relay.
Installing The New Relay
After removing the old relay from the unit, use the screwdriver to install the new relay back into the air conditioner.
In the last step, which is where the masking tape comes in, you’ll need to push the wire into the terminals, depending on the ID numbers that you put on them. You will have to use pliers to push wires. Make sure that the wires are properly put into the relay terminals.
Replacing a stuck relay is probably the best fix for this problem. Plus, it doesn’t cost too much. You might end up spending somewhere around $20 to $100 for a new relay. When purchasing the new relay, make sure it matches the old model on your ac unit.
The shape, voltage, amperage, size, design, and even the time intervals have to match. Therefore, ensure you’re buying one that exactly matches all the requirements of your relay.
Signs of a Bad Relay
So, how do you know if a bad relay is causing your ac unit to malfunction? There are several reasons why an ac may not function and narrowing it down to one reason can be tricky. However, you can tell if the relay is bad or not by checking some signs:
If you’re not getting sustainable cooling, then it means the relay is not working properly. The sole purpose of the relay is to transmit the command you give to the thermostat. If you realize that your commands aren’t getting through, you should definitely check up on the relay.
Another reason why the ac won’t turn off is due to a stuck relay. Note that a stuck relay can stay in the open state and still make some of the components not turn off. This causes your ac to not turn off at all.
On the other hand, your Ac won’t turn on if there is something wrong with the compressor relay. We’ve previously mentioned that a compressor won’t work if it doesn’t get the power it needs. Thus, you can tell if there are issues with the relay.
Realizing these signs can help you determine and possibly fix the problem. However, if you don’t have the knowledge, you will have to call in a professional.
The Bottom Line
There you have it. Keep in mind that even with the above tips on how to fix a stuck relay on your ac unit, the relay will break down at some point, irrespective of what you do overtime. There’s no shortcut to that. You might want to opt for a professional technician if you don’t know how to deal with this thing.
