Carrier Air Conditioning Unit Repair: Capacitor Replacement 

Purchased: August 2023 - still works GREAT!I ru-vid.comUgkxxsUnXhGsSJLim_XnMHyQK0u3XVaW-CGn live in a studio and during the summer it gets scorching hot - really old building with no ac units. I can’t express how EASY it was to install. This unit has been a life savior during the summer and some days during other seasons where it can still be a bit warm at night. In this small place is my friend, a husky, poodle mix and myself. We need AC - lolI don’t use the dehumidifier option - I’m not sure if it will leak in my house, since I did not install the small draining hose that came with it. May look into it late but I don’t worry about much humidity in the apartment. I don’t understand why the negative reviews since all things mentioned, I personally did not find issues with. Definitely worth it!

*Works great **Fastly.Cool** compact and Easy to install*

THANK YOU. As others noted, surprised to see the same guy whose video helped me repair my Ford! Your directions are clear and EZ to follow, and thanks for being professional and to the point instead of playing "entertainer" as some do. To anyone considering this fix: YOU CAN DO THIS. My A/C had the buzz/no fan, but fan would turn if given the "stick push" (at low RPM). Capacitor had the classic Dome Top. Diagnosis was clear and this was definitely worth a try. Got my Genteq replacement capacitor on Amazon for $14.25, then followed these directions and VOILA! I'm an HVAC tech!

*Great with keeping my 1st floor **Fastly.Cool** . Had a little struggle getting it to sit properly in my small window but once I got it situated it works perfectly.*

*_*NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A CAPACITOR'S ABILITY TO KILL YOU_** I have an ElecEngr degree and many years experience working with electronic and electrical gear. First rule of capacitors: just assume - to err on the side of abundant caution - that no matter what anyone says or tells you - a capacitor must have its terminals shorted together to eliminate the charge build up. People will say "but some capacitors are too small to worry about" or "but some circuits automatically drain capacitors when powering down" THAT'S UNDER **IDEAL** CONDITIONS. Since a capacitor CAN 100% KILL YOU, under the right conditions - do not F around with any capacitor. *_HOW TO DRAIN THE CHARGE ON A CAPACITOR_* 1) turn the power off to the piece of gear 2) disconnect the power supply cable from the piece of gear 3) get a long metal screwdriver that has an insulated handle (rubber, plastic, etc) 4) WEAR INSULATING GLOVES 5) hold the screwdriver on the insulated handle part ONLY - do not touch the metal shaft of the screwdriver 6) now, touch the screwdriver's tip to one of the capacitor's metal connector terminals, and then navigate the metal shaft of the screwdriver TO THE OTHER TERMINAL of the capacitor and hold the screwdriver so that those two capacitor metal terminals are ELECTRICALLY SHORTED TOGETHER through your screwdriver blade This sounds like a lot of trouble but funerals are a lot of trouble too - especially the UNEXPECTED kind. TREAT EVERY CAPACITOR LIKE A LOADED SHOTGUN. Also, the "one hand rule" - using only one hand while following the above steps. If you use two hands, and the capacitor charge drains from one hand, down one arm, across your chest, then out the other arm/hand - you get a heart attack from the electric shock across your chest. USE ONLY ONE HAND to prevent the 'across-the-chest' electric shock. The 'across the chest shock' is very very dangerous. Treat every capacitor like a loaded firearm. NEVER listen to anyone tell you "don't worry, that equipment automatically drains its capacitor(s) when it shuts down." WHAT IF THE EQUIPMENT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY? Not worth the risk. . .

Holy cow man, I rely on your Ford videos, now I look up capacitors for my AC and here you are! Thanks man!

how do i find the rite part # from carrier unit to match a new part? great video

Okay Brian, you’re the man. GREAT F150 videos to fix every issue I’ve ever had, now my Carrier AC is giving me a probable capacitor failure. Why should I be surprised that you have my answer again? Really no need for any other videos on RU-vid just Makuloko. They should call it MakulokoTube. Thanks bro’!

Thank you. It is good advice to consumers to use their cellphone and take a series of pictures BEFORE doing the work. Swapping wires pin-for-pin as you correctly suggest is fine UNLESS by accident the consumer accidentally pulls a couple terminals off from, say, the contactor. They would panic but for having the photo for reference to reconnect them. I use this "precaution' in all my electronics work and it has saved me many times. Muy Bueno. Thanks again for the good info.

Brilliant video...thank you for a clear and concise explanation of how to fix this problem. Good camera work and step-by-step instructions. Much appreciated!!!

My goodness! You saved me god knows how much money. $25 for the capacitor and $80 in fans. Thanks so much

Buying a home has definitely made me reminisce about apartment loving from time to time but thanks to this video home ownership ain’t that tough! Saved a few $$$ watching this, nice one for the video. Cheers.

Thank you for your effort in making this video. I'm going to get a new capacitor and hopefully be able to fix my A/C by following your clear directions to replace the part. 🙏 👍

These youtube how to video's are terrific.

A few words on the capacitors, and just the air conditioner's condenser in general. If your compressor and fan still work (has good electrical continuity) you do not need to discharge the capacitor. Capacitors are not to be confused with batteries, capacitors store charge while batteries make electricity through a chemical reaction. In this instance the capacitor is not used to induce a voltage spike to the fan motor, or the compressor, it is used to create a phase shift to give the motors a sense of rotation since one is not inherent on the incoming single phase line voltage (Three phase motors do not require capacitors since a sense of rotation is inherent on the incoming line voltage.) Once you turn the power off you're fine, the 24 volt volt control voltage from the control transformer that is switched by the thermostat will not hurt you. Those capacitors are "protected" (If they puff up like that, internal fuse links disconnect the internals of the capacitor from the capacitor's terminals.) If the contactor is not pulled in, the 230 volt line voltage cannot get past it. Those capacitors are measured in microfarads, not farads. (There are one million micro farads in one farad.) The capacitor will only hold a charge if a wire going from the capacitor to the fan motor or compressor, or one of the windings in the compressor or the fan motor burns up during operation. You're reading basic information I learned in my training to become an HVAC technician.

Thank you so much! I'm a new home owner and your video made repairing my own A/C unit less intimidating to fix.

Thank you sir for your clear explanation. I had to replace the motor on my 1998 Carrier unit and while doing that though replace the Capacitor as well. But the one I had there did not have any writing near the prongs to show me what is what. However, the new one I got had the writing on the prongs but wasn't sure which cable color represent what. That said, after watching your video now I am comfortable putting the new capacitor. But before that I have to run and get some screwable ties to tie the cables... Thank you!

Thank you for your clear and precise instructions! I now have AC again (and didn't get shocked!)

was a very simple video and helped me change my capacitor in less than 10 minutes.. thanks so much...

Thanks for the video help me out ❤

Very good video. Wondering why you didn't discharge the capacitor with a screwdriver. It would eliminate waiting time.

Besides turning all power off from outside & inside the 2 other most important things I got Don't touch that capacitor for 15- 30 min. after disconnecting power outside & definitely take a picture of this before touching anything. Notice you didn't use an ohm meter to check it 1st. Thank you for posting this- this was awesome info. for a girl who like to tinker.

Thanks!! Just fixed my AC unit watching your video! It was super easy and I didn't zap myself :)

Emphasis on precautions! Excellent video!

Thank you. very thorough explanation I did exactly what you did. AC is back.. Much appreciated.

Outstanding video, was having problems with my fan kicking on and believed it was a compressor issue. After watching this video I got the right part ordered and swapped out without issue. Thanks for sharing, this is fantastic, kudos to you sir!

Thank you so much, you are a life savior I am very appreciated for you kind heart of sharing your knowledge on line, Thank you may God bless you and always keep you well

HVAC capacitor replaced! Thanks so much for this guide and tips.

Great Video! Thank you for making this............

Boy, my car guy is a jack of all trades. Nice!

Great video....but one thing you didn't mention was the voltage rating on the capacitor.....there is a 370V and a 440V....you can replace the 370 with a 370 or 440 but you can only replace the 440 with a like kind of 440....so you can step up a 370 but you can't reduce a 440

Great video and very clear instructions, thank you. Is there an easy way to discharge the capacitor so you don't risk getting zapped?

What I found sort of interesting on my Carrier unit is that it has a dual-run capacitor, but also has a separate capacitor for the fan motor. The fan motor seems to have been replaced at one point, as the wiring seems to be modified. The current capacitor for the fan is rated at 7.5 MFD, while the dual-run capacitor is rated for 5/55 uf. I'd guess that 55 is the rating for the "HERM" side, and 5 is the "FAN". Model number is 25HBR342A320, if anyone's interested. Serial number is 1208E09326 . I only know that information because the compressor can't start anymore, and I had to look in the panel for the compressor capacitor rating in order to get a replacement ordered.

Thank you for the info…what about making sure the capacitor is discharged prior to removing it. Don’t you want to short it out first to make sure it doesn’t have a charge?

I just paid $95 to the A/C tech to replace this capacitor yesterday (including cost of the capacitor). I'm thinking I should find a source for them locally, and just replace it myself every 4 or 5 years as a preventive measure.

Thank you very much. Easy to follow and understand.

Thanks so much. You explained that very well.

Finally I know where the wires go

Obrigado!

helpfull flick, but I do not fee that waiting 10 or 15 min really going to be enough to dissipate the energy stored in the capacitor?? I thought the better way is to grab a plastic handled screw driver and short the contacts of the capacitor to eachother to dissipate any charge. Beats waiting.

Excellent video

how long do the amazn one's work like titan pro, ge, bojack for 20$....? do u recommend a brand,, thanks!

thanks !! just did this got capacitor for $37 and took about 15 min

Huge help, thanks for the video!

Thanks so much for the help! This video really helped me out!

Thanks bro

Great video !! Took me 5 minutes to get it running ! Brrr . . . . :D

Excellent explanation!

Woo Hoo, your the man! thanks great video, the unit you used in the video was identical to mine which in turn, made my life real easy :)

Wish you had the link to the video where you diagnosed the problem in the HVAC and discovered it was the capacitor.

Thank you for sharing .... much appreciated. I'd buy you a beer if I running into you.

very good your videos. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome video!!

I have a thick brown wire for my fan which I know is right. However I have a bright orange wire and another one that looks like it could be faded purple or brown,but thinner then the one that goes to the fan. If they other 2 wires were hooked up wrong would I still get air blowing into the house?? Need help. Thanks

Once again, thank you.

This is on my to do list.

Some good stuff with the exception of him not verifying voltage is turned off with a volt tester of some kind. Multimeters are cheaper than funerals

great Video, Thank you!

So question .. My AC unit has a dual capacitor that has 40 microfarads plus 5 but I have a replacement that I bought years ago. I thought they were both the same but this one says 45 uf plus five. Does that matter?

Thanks. Do you have any videos or know of any regarding the refrigerant lines that come into an old Carrier compressor. I know it is a high and low line with a Schrader valve. The larger (low side?) line on my unit is leaking coolant. My tech is stating It would cost nearly have of the cost of a new compressor to replace that valve. That just doesn't sound right to me. So checking for a second opinion.

Excellent video. So, just wait 10-15 minutes after the power is "off" BEFORE disconnecting wires?

well done video!

What would be the effect if you got the fan wire and the compressor wire on the wrong terminal. Fan wire on compressor terminal and vise versa?

I have one light blue, one red, and one detached brown (I didn’t detach it). 🤷🏻‍♀️ The fan is still running, despite the brown one being detached. So confused.

Great how to

Just keep in mind the daytons aren't essentially the best quality parts I use Amrad brand on my clients faus and condensers. Otherwise good video Carrier usually always has blue herm yellow common where other brands such as Goodman and Trane will use yellow as herm and red as common. Just for people doing this yourself be mindful . Good video man some of your Ford ones have helped me glad to see you're helping others with homes too

How do I know where the product bought from?

changed out the capacitor out today, but my ac still continues to blow hot air and can’t get the house lower than 78 degrees. Any ideas,

How do you quickly tell if it is the fan itself that is bad or a capacitor issue - if I manually spin the fan with a stick it catches and starts running

Nice explanation sir.tnku

Can Carrier AC compressor fan motor be oiled ??

So I replaced the capacitor and the unit blew cool air for about 5 minutes and then went back to blowing room temp air. The outside fan blew how air from the fan when working but is blowing cold when it's not. Any suggestions??

My main panel in the garage has 2 50amp switches, would these be for the ac

Man ac guys hate videos like this cause we can do it ourselves for 220 LESSS!

I've had 2 caps go in less than 5 years on this unit. Fan was blazing hot yesterday, then the unit quit. Another dead cap.

How do you get to the circuit board on a unit like that?

Short cap with an insulated screwdriver....across all terminals and you should be good

Question. Carrier Unit. Themostat is turning on home the fan and condenser. The condenser fan is running (MUCH more quiet than usual) but no cold air. Any ideas?

how many tons was this unit? do you remember? I have a similar unit don't know what cap size I need

What is the price for this service? Thank you.

Tiny air conditioner! I call it a barbie doll unit HAHA!

Guys um so the Westinghouse unit is a bit harder and heavy to install

Good video thanks, lol you can really see how swollen that bad capacitor was

HVAC techs can be the problem! They will often replace caps based on what they are carrying on their truck; not what the unit calls for! The units may run, but they may wear out sooner! After educating myself on a/c electrics, I checked both my outdoor a/c compressor units and BOTH had incorrectly-rated caps. I now have the correct replacements, plus spares and two replacement contactors - $120 for all four, off Amazon - about the price of a service call. In future, I will always check things myself before calling a technician.

Evidently capacitors on Carrier units seem to be a big problem. I have two units and both went down within one week and they are less then 4 years old! I replaced both myself but be careful DO NOT GET SHOCKED.

Micro farad

Luckily Ford doesn't make home ac units.

I hope you turned everything off before you touched that contact screw! lol I know you did. Just teasing. "Farad Rating" is also known as Capacitance, to you eggheads, named after .... Oh, never mind. LOLOL

Like the 1994 arm band tat, I got the same shit😂😂😂😂😂😅😅😊 shot was good then