How to Determine if a Compressor Starter is Good or Bad?
2 Answers
To determine if a compressor starter is good or bad, follow these methods: 1. Use the resistance setting (R1 ohm range) on a multimeter to measure the resistance between the M and S terminals. The reading should be between ten to twenty ohms. If the resistance is infinite, it indicates the starter is damaged. 2. With the multimeter still set to the R1 ohm range, place the starter vertically with the coil at the bottom. Insert the red and black probes into the M and S terminals. The circuit should show an open state; otherwise, it indicates the starter is damaged. The working principle of a compressor involves drawing refrigerant from the low-pressure area, compressing it, and sending it to the high-pressure area for cooling and condensation. The heat is dissipated into the air through the radiator fins, and the refrigerant changes from a gaseous to a liquid state, resulting in increased pressure.
The other day I was fixing my car's AC compressor starter that went bad, took me a while to sort it out. The first step to diagnose is: start the engine but don't press the accelerator, turn on the AC switch, and listen carefully for a 'click' sound from the compressor clutch area; if there's no sound, chances are the starter is faulty. Next, check the fuse: pop the hood, locate the fuse box, and see if the fuse labeled AC or compressor is blown and blackened; if it's burnt out, try replacing it with a new one. If the fuse is fine, then it's time to test the relay—usually found in a small box, pull it out and measure resistance with a multimeter; normal readings should be around 30-50 ohms, if it shows infinity or zero, it's busted and needs replacing. Also inspect the wiring connections for any looseness or rust corrosion that might be causing a power cut. Don't procrastinate on repairs, or the compressor might run dry and burn out, leading to bigger losses—I ended up heading straight to the repair shop and spent a few hundred bucks to get it fixed.
