Air Conditioner Repair Help

  1. Air filter Repair Aid
  2. Air Conditioner Tips and Common Problems
  3. NEWAir Conditioner Disassembly helps and Tips
  4. Burnt cord plug troubles
  5. FAQ
  6. NEWFault Codes For Air Conditioners
  7. NEWHelp!...I shut off my air conditioner but the compressor keeps running
  8. Link for some information on how window air conditioners work
  9. My window a/c display is showing an E1
  10. Ohm testing an capacitor
  11. Room air-conditioner maintenance
  12. Sample wiring diagram - example purposes only!
  13. Some simple things to check for before calling for service
  14. What size room a/c would work properly in my room space
  15. Commonly replaced parts for various brands of air conditioners
  16. NEWParts for Air Conditioners

Filter maintenance is the #1 forgotten thing to do on a room air conditioner. Please read the Repair Air sheet below...

(Click for a larger version)

Air Filter Cleaning

Some simple things to check for before calling for service...

(Click for a larger version)

Before calling for service

Burnt Cord Plug

A common trouble maker on at least 1 out of 3 window air conditioners brought into our shop today has a burnt cord plug (see image below). The plug end must be changed plus what ever you are plugging the air conditioner into ( wall outlet, extension cord, etc. )

burned air conditioner plug

Common Q & A's...

Q - The coils on the front of the air conditioner are frosting up...what's up?
A - Often this is a sign that the air conditioner should be brought into repair shop for servicing. Common trouble makers are: - dirty condenser coil inside the a/c should be cleaned, fan motor gets oiled and a new filter is installed.

Q - My air conditioner just "hums" and does not seem to be blowing any air, what's up?
A - It is possible and happens a lot, the fan motor has seized up and needs replacing.

Q - Water is leaking inside my room from the front of the air conditioner, what's up?
A - The evaporator coils on the front of the a/c produce water which normally travels though a drain system to the back of the unit where the water is evaporated. This drain is probably plugged and the water is running towards the front and leaking out. This is a sign that it is time to bring the a/c into repair shop for a thorough cleaning.

Q - My air conditioner never drips any water out the back, isn't it supposed to?
A - * Most room air conditioners are designed NOT to drip water out the back. The condenser fan blade has a ring built into it to pick up the water and "sling" the water against the hot condenser tubing to help keep the coils cooler when the unit is running. This slinger can sometimes be heard "swooshing" the water around when the fan is running. This is one way modern a/c are use less hydro be reusing the cooler water to help cool the hot coils.
* Usually only larger unit's may have a drain spout on the back of the a/c.

Q - Will my air conditioner get colder if I open the air vent?
A - No, this opens air door to the outside and actually will allow cold air to escape to the outside making it harder for the a/c to cool your room!

Q - Any idea what size air conditioner I should buy for my room?
A - Air conditioners are rated in BTU's ( British thermal unit's )...this is a common sizing chart based on room size to the size of a/c...

What size air conditioner to buy?

Area in square feet BTU/Hour
100 to 150 5,000
150 to 250 6,000
250 to 350 7- 8,000
350 to 400 9,000
400 to 450 10,000
450 to 550 12,000
550 to 700 14,000
700 to 1,000 18,000

yourbestdigs.com has created an BTU calculator and it uses ENERGY STAR's BTU recommendations to suggest a BTU level that's ideal for your situation so you can save money.

BTU calculator linked here

Q - Is there anything in my air conditioner that should be oiled?
A - Not all fan motors have oil plugs, but if they do....the plugs should be removed, a few drops of 3in1 ( or something similar ) can be placed into the hole. The plugs then must be re-installed to prevent dust from entering the motor oil holes. See picture here.

Something that I found from GE...

Display Codes:

E1—Automatic filter clean reminder.

Turn the air conditioner OFF and unplug it. NOTE: The air conditioner must be unplugged for the automatic filter clean timer to reset.

Clean the filter. See the Care and Cleaning section in your use&care manual. After cleaning, replace the filter and plug the air conditioner back in.

Er—Room temperature sensor failure. Call for service.

Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance Parts


Related Links

  1. Portable Air Conditioner Hose - 5.9" Diameter, Anti-Clockwise Thread & Length up to 80" - Exhaust Hose for Portable Air Conditioner Vent Compatible with Delonghi & LG Air Conditioner Parts
  2. Portable Air Conditioner Window Vent Kit with Exhaust Hose 5.1 Inch Diameter, Adjustable 59 Inch Length Exhaust Hose for AC Seal Plate with Universal for Sliding Window
  3. Portable Air Conditioner Window Vent Kit with 5.9” Exhaust Hose Universal Window Seal for AC Unit, AC Window Kit with Coupler for Sliding Horizontal or Vertical Windows
  4. Portable Air Conditioner Hose - 5" Diameter Portable Exhaust Vent for Portable Air Conditioners, Suitable for 5" Exhaust Hose Adaptor, Length up to 59"