My outside unit stops, inside still runs.

I can turn on the ac, cool. Then, after some time, the outside unit will shut off but the inside keeps running. I can't feel air coming through the vents, but when i open the door where the air conditioner is, sweltering heat comes out. Thermostat set on 74, it was 78 in my house...my neighbor has changed 2 sets of wires outside (they were sundried). Has not helped.

  12 answers
  • Charly Charly on Jul 14, 2017

    You need a repairman.

  • Tonia Tonia on Jul 14, 2017

    Check the float switch on the drain line. It will shut the out side unit off but keep the inside unit running. My husbands in HVAC and says this happens a lot. Hope it helps

  • Gayle Tucker Gayle Tucker on Jul 14, 2017

    Probably low on freon and is freezing up. Go outside and look at the coil. Do you see frost? Get it serviced and topped off.

  • Sarah Barganier Sarah Barganier on Jul 15, 2017

    When you check the float switch, make sure the drain line is open (not stopped up with something) my neighbor had that problem and she had her ceiling fall because the water was not going out, but over the pan.

  • BJK BJK on Jul 15, 2017

    Had the same thing happen. Checked online. It was the capacitor on the outdoor unit. Tried to purchase and change it myself but I have an Sear's Kenmore unit and that was one part you had to get from the repair rep. Hopefully you won't have that problem. Really easy to change. Make sure you have the breakers off.

  • Jadzeamay Jadzeamay on Jul 15, 2017

    We just had the same problem, it turned out the fan was seizing up and the contact points were ready to go. Had them changed out by a repairman for under $400 and it's worked great since in our 100+ temps.

  • Guy Bremerkamp Guy Bremerkamp on Jul 16, 2017

    Yes, it could be the fan going bad outside but it is likely the same problem that BJK with the capacitor. Takes 5 minutes to fix and less than $100 . Make sure breakers are off, remove the 2 wires from capacitor. After it is removed take an insulated screw driver and holding insulated end touch shaft of screwdriver to both terminals on capacitor simultaneously de-energize it. Capacitor is just a place to store some electric and they will shock the H@ll out of you if they are energized. New ones are not energized so hook the to wires up to new capacitor and enjoy the chill in your air!

  • Buddha Buddha on Jul 17, 2017

    I would recommend you take a pic of the cap before removing... (Work in this line of biz...) Lots of people get confused on where the wires went and on WHICH terminal.. ( for there can be 4 terminals per post) If the capacitor is bad a lot of the time the head of the round OR oval top will be SWOLLEN. Keep in mind NOT always, but 97% of the time. Tell- tell sign! Good Luck

  • Beth Hammett Beth Hammett on Jul 21, 2017

    Our thermostat is in a hallway and when the temperature is really hot out (90 or above) we have to set a small fan in the hallway to circulate the air to make our unit shut off. Also, check to make sure your thermostat is not set to "Fan", which could cause the fan to run constantly even when the a/c shuts off. These are both very simple fixes to eliminate minor problems.

  • Heather Chamness Jones Heather Chamness Jones on Jul 22, 2017

    Thanks everyone. It was the limit switch.

  • Donette Donette on Jul 22, 2017

    Check to see if the outside hose (usually black) that runs from the house to the back of the outside of the unit is covered with ice. If it is, turn the AC off and put the fan on (at inside thermostat). Run the fan for some hours until the frost/ice has totally thawed. Also make sure your filter is new/clean. When this has happened to us our AC company has had to add freon to our unit. He has done this for us the last two years- we will eventually have to get a new unit. Ugh.... (and it gets hot in AZ!) Good luck!

  • Donette Donette on Jul 22, 2017

    I should have read your last post!!😀