How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect before cleaning or inspecting the unit.

1. Clean condenser coil: Remove debris and wash the coil from inside out with a garden hose. Allow to dry before restoring power.
2. Verify fan operation: Restore power and observe that the condenser fan starts and runs at full speed whenever the compressor runs. Replace the fan motor or capacitor if it fails to start or runs slowly.
3. Shade and airflow: Ensure the unit has adequate clearance and is not in a confined, overheated space. Improve shading if the unit is in direct afternoon sun, but do not block airflow.
4. Call for refrigerant diagnostics: If overload trips continue, a technician must check refrigerant charge, superheat/subcooling, and look for restrictions or non-condensables.

Warning: Repeated overload trips can permanently damage the compressor windings.

Lennox system reports E470 compressor overload or thermal protection trip; compressor shuts off and may restart after cooling down.

Possible Causes