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Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

Need assistance with your Payne air conditioner troubleshooting? AC technicians recommend the following troubleshooting tips as a first step if you find that your Payne air conditioner is not working as it should. The following steps should solve many of the most common AC issues. However, if you’re still experiencing problems, we recommend getting in touch with a professional! 

If the compressor and condenser fan do not run on your Payne air conditioner, check that a circuit breaker has not been tripped. Check at the panel for any tripped breakers and reset them if necessary. 

The next step in your Payne air conditioner troubleshooting should be a visual inspection of the indoor and outdoor equipment. Look at all wiring and connections to see if they are secure. Look for signs of damage, water leakage and other physical signs that your unit needs professional repair. 

Remove the air filter and check for blockage. A very dirty air filter will shorten the life of your air conditioner, and can even cause it to shut off as a result of reduced airflow. 

Ensure that your thermostat is turned from “heat” mode to “cool” mode. Once in “cool” mode, turn down the current temperature by 5 degrees to see if this causes your air conditioner to turn on. 

Check the blower motor in your furnace to ensure it is running. The furnace switch should be in the “on” position even when your system is in cooling mode.

Furnace Troubleshooting

Igniter 
The igniter gets very hot and glows bright orange to light the gas burner. If the igniter fails or cracks, the furnace won’t heat. To determine if the igniter is faulty, remove the igniter and inspect it for cracks. If the igniter is cracked, replace it. If the igniter is not cracked, use a multimeter to test the igniter for continuity. If the igniter does not have continuity, replace it. 

Flame Sensor 
The flame sensor monitors the burner to detect whether or not a flame is present. If the flame sensor is defective, it might fail to detect a flame. If the flame sensor does not detect a flame, the control board will shut off voltage to the gas valve to prevent the furnace from heating. Sometimes, if the flame sensor is dirty, it will fail to detect a flame. Try cleaning the flame sensor with a fine abrasive pad. If the furnace still doesn’t heat, replace the flame sensor. 

Draft Inducer Motor 
The draft inducer motor draws air into the heat exchanger and then exhausts it out the flue. The pressure switch senses a pressure change and closes a switch to signal the control board that the furnace has proper air flow. If the draft inducer motor is defective, it may be unable to close the pressure switch, causing the ignition process to stall and the furnace to shut off after a few minutes. If the ignition process stalls, the furnace will shut off. If the draft inducer motor is at fault, replace it. 

Control Board 
The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the furnace. If the control board fails, it might not send voltage to the ignition system, causing the furnace not to heat. 

Flame Rollout Limit Switch 
The flame rollout switch monitors the heat surrounding the burners. If the inducer fan motor cannot draw enough air through the burners, or if the furnace is not venting properly, the rollout switch will open to halt the ignition sequence and prevent the furnace from heating. To determine if the flame rollout switch is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the switch does not have continuity and the reset button is not tripped replace it. Be aware that poor airflow through the burner is often a result of insufficient ventilation or a restricted exhaust vent. Make sure that your furnace is in a properly ventilated location and the exhaust vent is clear of obstructions. 

Wall Thermostat 
The wall thermostat has electrical contacts that control the power supply to the furnace. If the contacts in the thermostat fail, the furnace will not turn on. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the wall thermostat does not have continuity, replace it.