Thread: home AC help
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Old 05-27-2004, 02:03 PM
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R Leo R Leo is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: En te l'eau Rant
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That cap tube is part of the thermostat and you should put it back where it was. You're most likely dealing with a failed/failing thermostat that is intermittently sticking with the compressor contacts open.

The cap tube contains a fluid which expands and contracts depending on the temp of the air. This fluid forces contacts in the thermostat body to open or close which then allows current to flow to the compressor. Sometimes, the mechanisim that moves the contacts together will get corroded or simply wear out and quit working reliably.

Next time it stops cycling the compressor, and you know that compressor should be on (ie warm enough have the contacts closed) try gently tapping the temp selector knob or, better yet, the shaft of the temp selector, with a screwdriver handle. Bumping the knob/shaft will usually get the contacts to go ahead and snap closed.

Oh, one more thing...if it has a filter (foam thingy) over the evaporator, make sure it is clean.
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Last edited by R Leo; 05-27-2004 at 02:13 PM.
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