Air Conditioner Contactor Replacement Homeowner DIY

This is a follow-up to my prior video where I proactively replaced the capacitors in my air conditioning units and did spring cleaning. At the time I didn't have the research and purchase of contactor units completed, so this video will address that procedure. It’s now mid-April in Phoenix and I’d like to get this finished before the summer gets in full swing. The old contactors have five summers under their belt and according to what I’ve been reading on Uncle Google, the contactors can cycle anywhere between three and six thousand times per season. I’m curious how much wear and tear they have.
Just like in the prior video, I want to see if an ordinary homeowner like myself who has no prior HVAC experience or training can safely perform this replacement procedure after studying at what I call the University of TH-cam. If all goes well, I’ll keep the old contactors as my emergency spares.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only. I am a DIYer and not a professional. The information contained in this video should not be used as a substitute for the owner’s manual and/or a licensed professional. This video may not cover all possible safety precautions and proper usage of tools or products; or even comply with applicable codes. Do your own research. Do not try this at home. If you do it anyway, I hope you’ll do it safely and sanely.
DISCLOSURE: This video and description contain affiliate links; if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase I’ll receive a small commission. It adds no extra cost to you.
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[@technicalhotandcold]

Thank you for the kind comments and choosing the shop with us! This is a very informative video for anyone looking how to identify signs of contactor failure and performing a replacement.

[@hangtime_31]

Hey! I never thought you'd actually see my video! This was a great learning experience for me, and now that it's over, when (not if) an A/C unit goes out and it's the likely capacitor or contactor problem, I feel I can get it online again very quickly, then just order replacement spares for the next time. July in Phoenix is NOT the time or place to wait three days for an A/C tech to show up! Your website was THE best for finding what I needed, a lot of precise technical specs and OEM parts made it an easy choice for me. The next time I need parts you are my new "go to" source. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@TSGEnt]

Brilliant! You sir are a thinker. I too am learning to be a DYI HVAC guy.

[@hangtime_31]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching! Good luck on your journey as well!

[@alanrodgers4156]

Loved your video and loved your sense of humor. I have a question. I have a similar contractor that I plan to replace, and noticed that the new contactor does not have a place for the ring connector, on the top lugs.
So, Did you cut off the ring connector and insert the wire behind the screw?

[@hangtime_31]

I didn't have to cut anything - my goal was to replace parts with the exact same parts so I didn't have to modify anything. Thanks for watching!

[@gyulatakacs1824]

Mine had no cover either. A mouse got in there and literally had its head decapitated and burnt to a crisp along with wires and the contactor.

[@hangtime_31]

Ugh, installers. This spring I helped a neighbor with his A/C spring cleaning. He lives one street away. We have the same builder, same model of home, even. Checked his capacitors and cleaned the units. He also had one of his contactors without a cover. I gave him one of mine from my spares. I'm wondering why the installer is taking them. Looking for future repair calls? Did you replace your own or hire someone?

[@nightmaredip]

Great video! Was your unit running, the fan would come on but the compressor would not? I am having that issue now. Fan comes on, but I don’t hear the compressor. I checked the capacitor and it tested good.

[@hangtime_31]

In my case I wasn't having any issues, my job was to be proactive and learn how to do this. I'm just a DIY homeowner and wanted to see if I could do it. Good luck on the compressor!

[@nightmaredip]

@@hangtime_31 thanks for the reply! Ended up being a loose wire at the thermostat. Heat and AC were coming on at the same time. Crazy!

[@hangtime_31]

@@nightmaredip Glad to hear it's fixed, and yeah, that's nuts!

[@jamesodell3841]

Loved it! Thanks

[@gardenjohn1]

Was air conditioner a Goodman?

[@hangtime_31]

They're both Lennox units.