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AC Won't Turn On
in Spokane, WA
If your AC doesn't respond at all when you turn it on, the problem is almost always electrical. Spokane gets real thunderstorms from May through August, and power surges during those storms knock out capacitors and control boards on a regular basis. Left alone, this isn't going to fix itself.
Quick Answer
An AC that won't start at all usually has a tripped breaker, a failed capacitor, or a bad thermostat. Spokane's electrical storms in late spring can knock out capacitors and control boards without warning. A tech can usually diagnose this in one visit. Call (509) 472-2017 so someone can check it before temperatures climb.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- The thermostat shows a call for cooling but nothing outside or inside starts up
- You hear a click or hum from the outdoor unit but the fan or compressor doesn't run
- The circuit breaker for the AC tripped and won't stay reset
- The system worked fine yesterday but is completely unresponsive today
- The thermostat screen is blank or showing an error code
Root Causes
What Causes AC Won't Turn On?
Failed Capacitor
The capacitor is a small cylindrical part that gives the compressor and fan motor a jolt of electricity to start. When it fails, the motor just hums and does nothing. Spokane's electrical storms regularly send voltage spikes through power lines, and those spikes burn capacitors out.
The Fix
Capacitor Replacement
A tech tests the capacitor with a meter, confirms it's failed, and replaces it with a matching part. It's usually a quick repair and the system starts right up after.
Tripped or Faulty Breaker
AC units draw a lot of power when they start up. If the breaker is old or the unit pulls more current than it should, the breaker trips. Homes in Spokane's South Hill neighborhood that were built before 1980 sometimes have older panels that trip more easily under heavy summer loads.
The Fix
Electrical Panel Inspection and Breaker Replacement
If the breaker keeps tripping after a reset, there's either a problem with the AC pulling too much current or the breaker itself is weak. An electrician or HVAC tech needs to check both before you keep resetting it.
Bad Thermostat or Wiring
The thermostat tells the AC when to run. If the thermostat fails or a wire connection comes loose, the signal never reaches the unit. Low-voltage wiring in older Spokane homes is sometimes thin and brittle, and connections corrode over the years.
The Fix
Thermostat Replacement or Wiring Repair
A tech checks the thermostat output and traces the low-voltage wiring to the air handler. Replacing a failed thermostat or repairing a broken wire usually brings the system back immediately.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Failed Capacitor | Tripped or Faulty Breaker | Bad Thermostat or Wiring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit hums for a few seconds then goes quiet | |||
| Breaker trips immediately every time you reset it | |||
| Thermostat screen is completely blank | |||
| Nothing happens at all, no hum, no click, no movement | |||
| System stopped working right after a storm or power outage |
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