THERMOSTAT FLASHING – Some York heat pumps and air conditioners utilize a computerized equipment monitoring system which will flash a “diagnostic” light at the thermostat to indicate a problem or system malfunction. Most alarms and alerts require a qualified service technician to diagnose. However, there are some problem you may be able to resolve yourself.

*All diagnostics will attempt to reset by turning the thermostat "Off" for several minutes, then back to "Cool". Be sure to count the diagnostic flashes before resetting fro the thermostat.

POSSIBLE PROBLEM & DESCRIPTION

No Power to the Outdoor Unit

If there is no power to the outdoor unit for an extended period, the YorkGuard will flash an alert at the thermostat. Check the breaker for the air conditioner and make sure that it is not tripped. Watch Video If the breaker is okay, a qualified service technician should check the system.

Dirty or Restricted Outdoor Coil

If the outdoor unit is operating and the air that is being discharged is very warm or hot, that can indicate low airflow across the outdoor coil. This may be caused by debris build-up on the outdoor coil or other sources of restriction.

Dirty Indoor Coil / Clogged Air Filter

An air conditioner removes heat from the space as it blows air across the indoor coil. A properly operating system should drop the air temperature 15 – 18 deg. F. If the air temperature is very cold (high temperature drop), this can indicate low airflow across the indoor coil which can be the result of a clogged air filter, blocked registers, or a partially frozen indoor coil.

Refrigerant Issues - Qualified Technician Recommended

An air conditioner removes heat from the space as it blows air across the indoor coil. A properly operating system should drop the air temperature 15 – 18 deg. F. If the air temperature not very cool (low temperature drop), that would likely indicate a problem with the refrigerant charge or the refrigerant circuitry.

Bad Capacitor - Qualified Technician Recommended

Most residential air conditioning unitshave a starting capacitor for both the compressor and the outdoor fan motor. Many units have a dual-capacitor which combines both in one component. If the starting capacitor goes bad, the motor being controlled will not be able to start. A bad capacitor will often swell or even burst.

Bad Compressor - Qualified Technician Recommended

The compressor in an air conditioner pumps the refrigerant and provides the compression for cooling to take place. A compressor can have several malfunction conditions which can cause the unit to quit cooling. A "shorted" compressor will usually cause the breaker to trip every time it tries to start. A "locked-up" compressor will typically fail to start. It will often making a brief growling noise and may pull enough amperage to trip the breaker (a bad start capacitor can cause the same symptoms). A compressor with "bad valves" will generally start normally but will either produce very little or no compression.

Bad Outdoor Fan Motor - Qualified Technician Recommended

The outdoor fan motor should run any time the compressor is operating in the cooling mode. If the compressor starts but the fan does not, either the motor or its starting capacitor is likely bad.