Unit stops and displays H3; compressor does not run
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn off power and allow the outdoor unit to cool before inspection.
Steps to check:
- 1. Clean outdoor coil: Remove debris and wash the condenser fins gently as described earlier.
- 2. Verify outdoor fan operation: Ensure the fan runs whenever the compressor is supposed to run. If the fan is not running, turn the unit off and do not continue to operate it.
- 3. Improve ventilation: Ensure adequate clearance and shade around the outdoor unit to reduce recirculation of hot air.
When to call a technician: H3 often indicates serious compressor or refrigerant issues. A technician should measure compressor winding resistance, check refrigerant pressures, and verify the overload protector.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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