AC Won't Start - How To Troubleshoot & Replace a Contactor - 1 Pole vs 2 Pole

Affordable Electrical Tester: amzn.to/3ycLTxC
Fieldpiece Clamp Meter I Use: amzn.to/2sH47EQ
1 Pole Contactor: amzn.to/2YFKagr
2 Pole Contactor: amzn.to/2YGwhyk
3 Pole Contactor: amzn.to/2ZuoULA
My Favorite Tool: amzn.to/3NIFJuO
Tools We Recommend: www.amazon.com/shop/benjamins...
Here I explain how a contactor works in an air conditioning system as well as how to replace a faulty unit. If you need a new contactor be sure to do the following:
1 - Be sure to confirm the coil voltage.
2 ‐ Order the correct number of poles.
3 ‐ Verify that the replacement is at least the same or higher amperage as the one you are replacing.
Thanks for watching and subscribing! As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Blessings,
Ben

[@warveteran1-105]

I know this is old, but it saved me thousands. My ac unit kept blowing the 3 amp fuse on the board, I had checked every wire, thermostat, grounds, and couldn’t figure out what was going on. I watched a video that showed to check the ohms from the sides of the contactor. I checked and mine was only at 1.9 ohms. The video I watched said it should be over 17 up to 20 something. I ordered the $15 part reluctant that it was going to work. Well I switched it and the ac works great!!! These videos are money savers. Thank you for posting this video!!! Hope this helps someone

[@OmarAguirre-qv6sg]

I learned more in your 15 minute video than I did in a semester at HVAC school. Thank you!!! And bless you!!

[@GenoFelice]

Had 2 free estimates to fix my AC that wouldn't turn on. 1st wanted $1500. Told me compressor needed to be replaced. 2nd told me contactor was bad and wanted #165 to replace. Watched your video, replace both my contactor, which was working buy old and dirty, and my capacitor. Cost me less that $30 on Amazon. Glad I watched this video !!

[@gregrobsn]

Good video. My only issue as a 45 year industrial maintenance electrician would be never depress the live contactor with the cover off and no safety glasses. I've seen too many of these arc if you have a short down stream or a frozen compressor rotor. The arc flash can blind you or throw copper plasma into your face. Just a thought. Most of the voltages I worked with were 480 vac or 4160 vac. But that doesn't mean 240 can't get you.

[@joe8rivera955]

6x6th

[@Twinsuns2187]

100%

[@jacobalbright3715]

Found the snowflake..after doing industrial electrical work for 15+ yrs never seen a 24v contactor throw an arc flash?!

[@jacksamulsen]

@@jacobalbright3715”found the snowflake” talking about electrical safety cmon man😭

[@living9377]

Thanks for sharing that tip!

[@unlimiteddj3908]

Thank you KZbin University. I got my A/C running again. It was the Contactor not making contact. I just blew it out with a can on compressed air.

[@bluesteel48]

Best presentation of a repair I've ever seen. Clear and concise.

[@abiesolis7489]

A single pole contractor is less apt to go out, one pole instead of two

[@byteman21]

Benjamin! You Rock Sir! Thank you for explaining in detail what my A/C guy wouldn't. You Sir should open a school! You have TALENT!

[@VV-th5is]

Thank you so much. I am a sixty-year-old woman and your directions are perfect, easy to understand.

[@dianawilliams6700]

V V I'm 56 and I need to replace my contactor. Did you get your ac up and running?

[@VV-th5is]

@@dianawilliams6700 Hi, it was not the outside unit, the interior condensation pipe was clogged. I tried calling a hvac company, but pricing was ridiculous. Fortunately my friend's husband helped me for minimal fee. I have fixed many things in my home by watching youtube videos, even my old washing machine. Good luck.

[@dianawilliams6700]

@@VV-th5is Thank you!

[@TheWilferch]

If your OEM contactor is rated at 25A....would a higher Amp rated replacement be considered good.....like a "heavy duty" version? Costs only a few bucks more and in most cases I'm finding that the mounting footprint is no different for a 25A unit vs a 30A or 40A unit.

[@StylingBuddy]

Simply one of the best repair presentations I have seen on KZbin. Well done!!

[@ryanybos]

Awesome job explaining 1 Pole vs 2 Pole Contactors and a great deal more. You have a gift Ben, thank you for the tutorial brother

[@choimdachoim9491]

I was the Handyman for an apartment building in North Hollywood for a couple years and had problems with grains of sand getting between the contact points in the roof-top A/C fan-units. The Building Manager thought I was a super guy because I kept fixing these A/C problems for her, saving tons of money.

[@CSAccetura]

You should have told her there was an awful problem each time and had her give you money for parts that really never needed to be replaced pocket the money, be the hero win win.

[@choimdachoim9491]

@@CSAccetura Yeah...that would be typical, wouldn't it? I based my business on showing all receipts and buying back all unused material, including paints, etc. When my brother got his General Contractor's License he told me that essentially it was a license to steal. People despise contractors for good reason. Most of my business was finishing the last 10 % of other contractor's jobs or fixing what they screwed up. I'm retired, I'm happy and my conscience is clean.

[@leemontoya8028]

I like the way this young man explained it! good job!

[@Islandman08]

Excellent vid, great info and very detailed! Thanks Ben and you look so young with so much knowledge of your craft!💪🏼 I’m a DIYer, don’t really call a professional unless it’s way over my head or don’t have the necessary equipment. So I find your vids very enlightening! Keep it up! You got my subscription!

[@perryreese2696]

@Islandma Ben is excellent, at giving very informative information. I'm trying to find a video, so i can replace my compressor on my 2-ton AC unit. In my outside unit, it's been out for awhile. And i really need to replace my compressor in my outside unit, as soon as possible. Iive in the State of Ohio. But i am in need for a compressor for a 2-ton AC unit outside. Of my house, of course. If anyone knows where i can find one, please let me know. Have a Wonderful 4th of July weekend, to all of his community. 🇺🇸

[@jima3129]

I do everything myself too, but do deep research before getting into something. My problem is admitting something is over my head, or realizing when I've reached the point of diminishing returns. Lolol.😮😮😮

[@emmacox1736]

Bless you! A very good instructor , wonderful video presentation. Very helpful.

[@jaiverquintana4022]

Great instructions, clear, concise and super useful. Thanks a lot.

[@makkusu21]

Thank you for your clear and detailed presentation! I've watched a number of home HVAC repair videos and this was far and away the most helpful. Never worked on HVAC before in my life but got my AC running again for less than $75 (including the multimeter) with your help.

[@yolandlopez3564]

O k r.m nk

[@nelsonsantos770]

Awesome presentation, thoroughly explained, great job! A question though. Does short cycling the AC causes damage to it. I thought y AC stopped working, so I lowered the thermostat and it ran, and then turned up the thermostat, so now it doesn't run anymore.

[@oscarpleitez715]

Your explanations are very clear,thank you .

[@tonym6920]

Great demonstration, one of the best I’ve seen, very easy to understand and concise. I like that you include safety tips as well. 👍👍

[@ALMAMYMOHAMEDTURAY]

Thanks very much

[@mono7891]

very thorough and informative. My unit was buzzing but the fan was not rotating ....... So I guess I need to see your other viseo. Thank you so much .....

[@deltonwatts9726]

Thanks for the information on the Contacts!

[@josewalker8502]

Thanks for explaining the reason for power with the disconnect out.

[@sirridok]

Thanks brother!

[@nalmonte26]

I like the video great job. I been having problems with my AC not turning on or humming which has me thinking it’s the fan motor or contractor, but I think I’ll let the professional figure it out

[@bcf3927]

You're very detailed to your explanation. Although I replaced the Capacitor I still didnt get the Fan to turn however heard the clicked tried to turn on. Could it be the Contactor?

[@izcalirs]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

[@albatchila3683]

Thanks for the video, for all the steps and details you've covered in it. I fixed my AC today based on that video - it was dead 35A fuse.

[@VV-om8vv]

This helped me fix my AC. THANK YOU.

[@stonepointdrivingschool2044]

Excellent - you are a great communicator - very focused - great teacher - great video and audio!!! My contactor needs 'cleaning the contacts they are buzzing-sticking (goofy guy who installed the OUTDOOR Electrical Panel - failed to use 'weather stripping' on the perimiters of the box - moisture and corrosion) plus the contactor is about 15 yrs old! ha

[@ThienNguyen-eg4dh]

love you! thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@jamesarendale8953]

Great job and explanation. Thanks

[@quangtruong8755]

Help a lot with your videos. Thanks

[@joerodriguez3028]

👍 awesome information and helpful. Thanks, appreciate.🙏🇺🇲

[@Inspironator]

That was a very thorough explanation and process. I would add that at the end, you discovered the spade connector on one side of the 24V coil wasn't tight. This may be the reason the contactor wasn't pulling the contacts closed solidly. So when the contactor vibrates as you showed, the quality of the coil connections should also be suspect. Sometimes, its easy to find fault with a part when it may be something else that could cause the same behavior. Having a new contactor with higher quality should provide trouble-free service for the life of that unit, though.

[@petehorn4696]

This was very helpful, thank you sir.

[@hectoraponte7076]

Very interesting & instructive.

[@wildoutdoorsandmore]

Exactly what I’ve been looking for Ben. Great video. Thank you.

[@Engineerboy100]

Master class thank you so much

[@ASHOKPATEL-fp1ps]

Excellent information 👍

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dorianrodriguez40]

Thank you very much for this video

[@bertamuvdi1075]

Hello, your videos are fantastic, very detailed and right to the problem. I paid for a monthly maintenance plan every season. There is a problem with the furnace or air conditioner. They came and said replace parts. I canceled two month ago and there is the problem with AC one week ago. I just fix with your video and a tester it they disconnect one of the wire that goes to the AC UNIT with the video with drawing I was able to identify the problem in the motherboard. and called another technician to fix it and see what he said. Thank you

[@markmiller2149]

Good job!

[@noemimorenodemora4447]

excellent

[@phayakoot1]

Thanks...

[@danielkelly8936]

Thanks for the video, saved me a service call.

[@theninetwo7266]

Thank You!

[@chillywilly9573]

New subscriber Thankyou for sharing ! I had a condencer fan that would not shut off even with the ac thermostat set to off this was a simple fix. Out of all the repairs I've done on this ac and all the self made over complicated videos that I've watched, your videos are straight forward and simple to follow without all that confusing jargon that's confusing for most people like me.

[@rickrinderman2913]

Excellent video you explained the contactor so clearly.

[@ddpd68275]

Nice very clear explanation....

[@solaracllc1279]

Thanks, very good. Saved me a lot of money.

[@johnt3880]

Thanks you

[@pkhris]

Master class, mate. Appreciate the links and you have a new subscriber.

[@donaldjtoneyjr69]

Great Video I changed my single pole conductor because the old one kept getting stuck down causes the unit to freeze up. Well now since I put new conductor in ,now it won't pull in ,unless I do it manually it works and stays down , but then it still won't open to turn unit off ... Please tell me what's wrong , could it just be a bad new conductor or is it something not making the magnets work to open or close .. thanks 👍

[@intelin123]

You got your little helper. Good job man. Thanks

[@werquantum]

Good vid. Question: Why does the compressor not try to start with the single pole contactor, since one leg is always hot (when the power is on)?

[@arturoalzamora7575]

good video thanks.

[@philipnuam1426]

Your explanation is clear and concise! A Great video . You earned another subscriber

[@khamtp42]

good video and good explain clearly thank you love it.

[@Logan-ml2dt]

Very informative!!

[@felixfernandez442]

EXELENT tutorials

[@jaimedpcaus1]

Thanks for sharing this video. My current problem is that the thermostat is in the "off" and it won't change to hot or cold. What could be the issue? Thx

[@thehoneybadger9262]

Benjamin, I'm a bit confused during your description of 1-pole vs 2-pole, because after listening to the video I got the impression you could wire the 2-pole just like the 1-pole. I replaced a 1-pole heat pump contactor with a 2-pole and just wired it up identical to the 1-pole. Are you saying it is necessary to move the connections at the top of the 2nd pole to the bottom? I'm wondering if it is part of a defrost circuit that might need to remain on when the compressor is turned off. It works fine in the summer, but I wonder if winter will bring some problems.

[@arnoldvirrey7921]

Exactly the video I'm looking for. Thanks for doing this. Much appreciated!

[@fredfleming8905]

Just a comment on a working contactor, good thermostat, good run capacitor, good coolant charge everything kept looking good but no 24 volts to engage the contactor???? Rats had got into the unit and ate 3 wires in two. I have now sealed all openings with hardware cloth to prevent them from getting in. This is the second time....unfortunately the first time I just used traps and bait but did not seal off the openings in the outside unit. Expensive learning experience.

[@erickj.6883]

Awesome video! Thanks to you I was able to trouble shoot my condenser; found the problem was the contactor, and was able to replace it saving me $730 and AC company was trying to charge me for fixing a "very complicated issue." Thank you for an epic video!!

[@btd2516]

Do you have a video about the contactor on a heat pump, or is it pretty much the same?

[@cjlewis8394]

Outstanding, you know your craft...thanks

[@hong-chichou4890]

So clearly presented. Love it.

[@huileha]

Thanks I fixed it

[@raullcalzadilla3541]

You have it together and on target! Very, very good and easy to undersand. Thaks!

[@zhaotao8408]

This is very in-depth, detailed video about the outside AC circuit. Thanks!

[@kathleenconnolly8149]

Nice job Ben! So concise. Thank you!

[@crossbones80]

Great video. I learned a LOT. Gotta fix my outdoor unit and with knowledge I will get it done. Thanks!👍🏾

[@Hectekk]

Excellent presentation.

[@CynthiaWord-iq7in]

What would cause you to look into the contactor going bad/not working? What symptoms appear. No cooling? of needing a new contactor, even after putting in a new capacitator?

[@HD-bh8yr]

Thanks for the great video. But I have one question. My unit is single pole contactor and thinking to replace with 2 pole since can't find 1P. If I connect 2P contactor exactly like the way 1P without making it into single pole connection, would it be OK?

[@perpetuant5452]

Next time just clip of the forked tips of the connector so that the end of the connector will still keep the wjres together and you can put it straight into the terminal.

[@mikachicha5205]

🎉 I did suscribed today Sir🇺🇸

[@JUNIORMICH]

I try to always get the same square D contactor in my unit, but i have to replace it every other year.(i have an old unit from the 70's) why do you think that is? Also, if i replace it with one of these double pull ones, would it last longer? Four Season HVAC wanted $1200 to replace the contactor. I bought a $14 one from ebay and watched other youtuber vids and vioala! Now that i found your chanel i feel even more confident messing with my AC.

[@yodamanrulz176]

Always validate your meter in voltage mode. Remove electrical access panel on condenser unit. Checked for 240 going into L1 and L2 of the contactor. If you can read 240vac between L1 & L2 and 120vac through each to ground, this validates meter functionality. Then pull the disconnect and check again for “0”vac shift at previous points. If no voltage is not present, disconnect action is correct.

[@macex2]

Best video ever

[@chrisk1180]

you rock Bluecolar Ben!

[@TheBCTuber]

Great work. Super explanation! Very detailed.

[@anandawickramapala3109]

Thank you for the great video 👍👍👌👌👌 you Son is so cute 🥰🥰

[@AmarSingh-od6yt]

Thanks for the very clear info. In my case, I set it on cool I hear fans turn including compressor fan but the compressor doesnot turn on. I replaced the capacitor with still the same results. when I check the volts on contactor it shows 196 volts. It looks like the plunger keeps pushed even when I tried to push in with a screwdriver. Even without plunger pushed in the power on the other leads is present 196 volts. I want to know whether my contactor is bad or something else. Thanks waiting for your response,

[@ronscorzafava1201]

Very informative and clear. one question. are you saying that if you depress the button and your unit fires up, the contactor is good?

[@juanlanda967]

No. He explained in the beginning about checking the contactor with a multimeter.

[@warrenlouisiana2277]

Yeah good video

[@rudyorozco9627]

You're the best, Ben. I love your videos men, thank you. God Bless you all.

[@TheOneJPtv]

My contactor was stuck and wouldn't budge. Tech said it was toast. $588 bucks to fix...sucks but the AC is working as is should now. Texas Heat. worth every penny. * I was advised to get a Service contract for piece of mind. was I scammed? (*Carrier Unit only 4years old)

[@bruce8572]

I'd like your opinion on the Emerson 49P11-843 SureSwitch Relay? I am thinking of using these on the condenser units at my home. Thanks, Jenkins A/C & Heating

[@diegoandrade548]

Good

[@artfquinn]

You are a very good teacher. Please make more video.

[@MikeSmith-cn6ub]

A tinsey wintsey bit. Yes sir. Your old lady said you have a tinsey winsey winnie

[@baileysair]

Hi Ben, good video.

[@markbaker5366]

Thank you for the video..

[@charliechung522]

you are the best

[@Digger140]

Question I have a older carrier air condition with the air handler in the attic , i want to replace the contactor in the condensor single pole my unit has a compressor time delay circuit board. 24 volt low voltage wires all on one side of my old contactor one wire to contactor the other is to t2 on board then t3 back to contactor third wire from t1 to contactor. on the new contactor coil one wire on each side where does the third wire (T1) GO TO? LEFT SIDE OR RIGHT SIDE? Thanks

[@testtesting2868]

Great explanation. If only one switched leg is needed, I would never go with two. Two switched legs gives you two additional contact points that can potentially fail. Reliability is what I strive for.

[@garyhardesty4647]

god blesss your knees lol but thanks for this great video