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Weird AC Issue

Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:01 pm
Posted by Xignals
Pits of Hell
Member since Nov 2013
1686 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:01 pm
About three times this Summer my AC has quit working. I came home yesterday and the temp in the house was 82. I was able to get it working again by turning the unit off at the thermostat, leave it off for about five minutes then turn it back on. It then kicks in and runs normally. It did the same thing last Sunday and I called my AC guy, said he would come Wednesday and never showed. I have another company coming tomorrow but don't have much hope in getting an answer. Anybody got any ideas? ChatGPT says its the thermostat. I don't know what to think but i am worried its gonna quit and won't come back on. Had it serviced last year and it was in tip top shape. I keep my filter changed if that matters.
Posted by ItzMe1972
Member since Dec 2013
12892 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:16 pm to
Might be hard to pinpoint being it is intermittent.

My first thought was thermostat.
Posted by jim70769
Member since Nov 2008
31 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:51 pm to
Any chance your power want out on those days
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
6041 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 9:15 pm to
What brand of thermostat - Honeywell, Ecobee, Nest, …..?
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
76118 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 9:21 pm to
I've got $5 that says it's nest.....
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
67001 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 9:46 pm to
Might be the common capacitor issue, but I think when that stops working, it isn't intermittent... So, my guess is the relay that next to the capacitor is not making good contact anymore.
Posted by Major Dutch Schaefer
Location: Classified
Member since Nov 2011
39773 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 11:09 pm to
quote:

Might be the common capacitor issue, but I think when that stops working, it isn't intermittent... So, my guess is the relay that next to the capacitor is not making good contact anymore.


Always keep a spare capacitor and relay on hand
Posted by Xignals
Pits of Hell
Member since Nov 2013
1686 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 6:18 am to
It is a Carrier Infinity unit and thermostat and no power outages on those days. I looked into getting a Nest but it looks like it's not a simple swap.
Posted by Saintsisit
Member since Jan 2013
5347 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 7:02 am to
Is your drain line plugging up?

See if there's a float switch on the drain line near the unit.
This post was edited on 8/22/26 at 7:03 am
Posted by UptownJoeBrown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2024
11877 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 7:34 am to
Capacitors can degrade and work intermittently. The more common issue is they suddenly stop working completely.

You can test a capacitor if you have a capacitance meter. Very easy. YouTube OP.
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
19973 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 8:35 am to
Capacitor, contactor, condensate drain, "smart" thermostat...those are the simplest culprits. Other possibilities are failing condenser fan motor, compressor motor, or high/low pressure switches. Only thing you can pretty much get here are guesses, if you know how to do basic electrical diagnostics you can probably narrow things down yourself and maybe do an easy fix. If it turns out to be the capacitor in the condenser, make absolutely sure you replace it with the exact type rated on the tag of that machine and not just replace what was there unless you know you are running the original capacitor or it was serviced by a trustworthy HVAC tech. Home Depot now carries Titan HD capacitors, they are excellent as are AMRAD, both USA-made. You should keep several spares on hand for both the condenser and air handler.
This post was edited on 8/22/26 at 8:38 am
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
6041 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:34 am to
quote:

It is a Carrier Infinity unit and thermostat and no power outages on those days. I looked into getting a Nest but it looks like it's not a simple swap.

Definitely don’t want a Nest, they potentially come with a host of issues, including potential damage to HVAC equipment. HVAC techs don’t like them, except for the business it provides them making repairs to damage they potentially cause. But I believe with Carrier Infinity systems you are relegated to their propriety smart thermostat if that is the issue - and it very well may be.

Since you have HVAC tech coming out today, hopefully he is an experienced and will do a thorough assessment of the electrical system. If you have the top of the line Carrier Infinity it is an inverter system that unit doesn’t have a capacitor. Anyway, it could be as simple as a loose wire/connection, thermostat, high/low pressure switches, etc. or as others mentioned a partially clogged condensate drain which intermittently shuts the system down. Intermittent electrical issues can often be difficult to determine - in other words, it’s much easier to diagnose the problem when the system is “broken” and not running.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46425 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:44 am to
I have a carrier infinity units, we noticed some issues the last couple of weeks where the system said system malfunction on the thermostats. The unit start working later, my wife noticed one time when it stopped that the temp outside read -30 degrees, looks like that thermostat for outdoor temp might be going out on our unit. Good luck
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16681 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:47 am to
I forget if you have to replace the entire board on the outside unit. I had the same unit and had something similar happen. Can maybe get the board number and find a replacement.
Posted by BeepBopBoop
Northshore
Member since Dec 2023
1592 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 10:06 am to
quote:

Carrier Infinity unit


I have 2 Carrier Infinity units, mine would do something similar but would say Sensor Error where the outside temp reading should be, compressor wouldn’t kick on.

Mine would come back and start reading the outside temp in a few hours, maybe a day and then the unit compressor would come on and start working again.

Ended up being the control board, $2k.

I’ve been told by 2 separate companies you can’t use a Nest with a Infinity system, have to use the Infinity thermostat but who knows.
This post was edited on 8/22/26 at 10:25 am
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16681 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 10:24 am to
quote:

I’ve been told by 2 separate companies you can’t use a Nest with a Infinity system, have to use the Infinity thermostat but who knows.


You can but you will lose your variable speed functionality. Not worth it.
Posted by Yewkindewit
Near Birmingham, Alabama
Member since Apr 2012
22024 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 10:25 am to
Bypass the thermostat and see what it does. Also, buy a cheap thermostat and see if that fixes the issue.
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