Coleman Airxcel AC Won't Start After Capacitor Replacement

[OneLostDawg]

Hello Forum. I'm sure this has been covered, but I was unable to find a thread on it.

I have a 2023 Keystone Raptor 351. My living room AC went out a while ago, and I have been trying to fix it. I replaced all three of my capacitors. I have a Coleman, Airaxcel 13k btu AC. I am still having the same issue. The AC won't start. It kicks on, but still doesn't start the motor. My next step is to replace the motor. But I thought I'd come here and ask first. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. It's too hot to be doing what I've been doing. SWEATING my A$$ off. Any help is welcome. Thank you!

 

[Brad Buchanan]

If you think you are able find the power lead for the motor that is not starting. If it is the compressor there should be a tag that states the 'locked rotor' amps.

If it is not in spec or is off the charts you probably need a motor or compressor. If the motor is for the blower most any of the correct hp and shaft size will probably work.

You will need a meter that has a clamp-on ammeter.

 

[RayIN]

Have you replaced the start cap for that unit also? If the compressor motor is bad it WILL trip a breaker when the unit is turned on.

 

[Domo]

Do you mean the fan runs, but the compressor does not turn on when you said, "The AC won't start. It kicks on, but still doesn't start the motor."

 

[OneLostDawg]

Have you replaced the start cap for that unit also? If the compressor motor is bad it WILL trip a breaker when the unit is turned on.

Ray, I did replace my start cap. I don't get a tripped breaker when the unit turns on.

Do you mean the fan runs, but the compressor does not turn on when you said, "The AC won't start. It kicks on, but still doesn't start the motor."

Domo, the fan does not run. When the AC unit kicks on, there's a humming noise but the motor won't kick on. There are times when I can manually start the fan, and then the motor starts running, but it's infrequent. Hope that makes more sense.

 

[John From Detroit]

The fan has a different start cap.
However I have had fan motors crap out. (Well one did)

 

[8Muddypaws]

That the motor sometimes starts when you spin it kind of points to a bad or mis-wired cap. Did you take a picture of the wiring before you started?

Is there also a soft start device involved?

It’s not impossible that you got a bad cap, also not impossible that the motor has a bad winding. Motors can be found on Amazon for halfway reasonable prices. If your unit is anything like mine it will be an ‘interesting’ job to replace it.