How do I know if my AC relay is blown?

Air conditioner breakdown is one of the worst things to face on a blazing summer day. Be it due to compressor failure or problems with the circuits; you can never know it immediately. One problem that often goes unnoticed is the malfunctioning of the AC relay.

Table of Contents Show

What is The Purpose of an AC Relay?
Indicators of a Bad AC Relay
Causes for Failure of AC Relay
What is a clutch relay?
How a relay works
Different types of relays
Mini-relays
What happens when the AC relay goes out?
How can I tell if my AC relay is bad?
How often do AC relays go bad?

A bad ignition relay is not good for the performance of your AC, and you will be able to see its effects very clearly. In case of any maintenance and service for your AC, make sure to contact an AC service in Boerne, TX, and keep it running in good condition.

Now, if you are wondering what an AC relay is, then don’t worry. Read ahead and learn more about the problems that occur with the AC relay.

What is The Purpose of an AC Relay?

An AC relay is a component designed for sending electrical power to the compressor of the unit. Just like any other relay, it serves the purpose of delivering the power to the compressor. Without a good relay, your AC compressor will have difficulties switching on, or a lot of times, the compressor won’t turn on. Having problems with the compressor? Give a call to one of the best AC repairs in Boerne, TX, and hire a professional!

Indicators of a Bad AC Relay

Several signs indicate a problematic AC relay. Some of them are:

The compressor is not switching on

When you turn on your AC, you will hear a clicking sound. This is the indication that the compressor clutch has been activated. When the relay is not in a proper functioning condition, the compressor and the clutch will not receive any power. So, the malfunctioning of your compressor unit is a huge sign of a bad relay.

Improper cooling

If the AC compressor is dysfunctional, it will automatically lead to uneven cooling of your house. The compressor will probably switch on and off frequently, thus wearing down the system heavily. To ensure that your air conditioner’s lifetime is not shortened, you have to keep it serviced. Call an AC service in Boerne, TX, and state your problems.

Spike in energy consumption

One of the consequences of the malfunction of the compressor unit is the higher consumption of energy. Your air conditioning system will struggle to meet the temperature set by the thermostat and, so will run long cycles. This obviously will lead to more consumption of energy.

Causes for Failure of AC Relay

Sometimes, the relay just gets stuck. There is no other reason for its dysfunction. But most of the time, your AC relay burns out. The relay’s life is calculated in cycles so, after a certain number of operational cycles, the relay will burn out. You can contact an air conditioning installation in Boerne, TX, and replace your relay.

At Linder Cooling & Heating, we offer you the most reliable and trustworthy services at a reasonable price. For more details, give us a call at (830) 431-7225

What is a clutch relay?

A relay is a device that allows you to control high amperage circuit from low amperage circuit.

Automotive switches and electronics are wired to relays since they aren�t designed to handle the arcing and high current demand required in some circuits.

How a relay works

Every relay has at least two circuits running through it: a low-amperage, or CONTROL circuit, and a high amperage, or load circuit.

When you energize a relay, you�re actually energizing the control circuit. This energizes an electromagnet in the relay, which opens or closes a set of contacts. The contacts are part of the load circuit. When the contacts close, they complete the high amperage circuit, allowing current to flow.

Different types of relays

Relays can be normally-open (NO), normally-closed (NC) or can have dual contacts.

Normally-open contact relays have one set of contacts that remain open when the relay control circuit is de-energized. When you energize the relay, the contacts close, completing the high amperage circuit.

Normally-closed contact relays work the opposite way: The contacts are closed when the relay is de-energized. Energizing the control circuit in the relay opens the contacts, shutting off the current in the load circuit.

Dual-contact relays have one set of normally-open contacts, and one set of normally-closed contacts. When the relay is de-energized, current flows through the normally-closed contacts. When you energize the relay, the normally-closed contacts open, and the normally-open contacts close. Now current flows through the normal-open contacts.

Mini-relays

Most mini-relays have four or five terminals. The two small terminals(often specified as 85 and 86) are used to energize the coil that creates the magnetic attraction necessary to cause a connection between the high amperage switch contacts.Two other terminals make the high amperage-amperage power in (terminal 30) and power out (terminal 87) connection. Sometimes a fifth terminal (marked 87a) is used as a normally closed (NC) contact, as opposed to 87 being normally-open (NO), which closes when the relay energizes.

Solid state relays

Some manufacturers use solid-state relays in different areas of� the car. The operation of these devices is much like an electronic fuel injector. These components can be totally off or tally on, like regular relays. What differentiates them is their ability to be turned on to a certain percentage with a pulse-width modulated signal. The advantage of these devices is that they can control the current flow to the output device, resulting in a variable speed device.

A scan tool is necessary to troubleshoot these solid-state relays. The scan tool can retrieve trouble codes as well as perform output tests on these circuits during the troubleshooting process.

How do I know if my AC clutch relay is bad?

When testing these relays:

Unplug the relay
Measure for continuity between pins 30 and 87a.There should be less than 1ohm resistance.
Measure for continuity between pins 30 and 87.There shouldn�t be any continuity between these terminals
Apply power (12volts) to pin 86 and ground to pin 85.The relay should click.
Measure for continuity between pins 30 and 87a.There shouldn�t be any continuity between these terminals.
Measure for continuity between pins 30 and 87.There should be less than 1ohm resistance between these terminals.

What are the symptoms of a bad relay?

Signs of a Bad or Failing AC Compressor Relay

The AC compressor will not have power and the AC system will not function.

AC compressor intermittent operation causing weakened or intermittent cooling performance.

If you are experiencing issues with your AC system and suspect that your AC relay has either failed or is beginning to fail, we recommend having it diagnosed by a professional technician.

Tags: ac clutch relay, ac compressor relay, ac relay, clutch coil relay, compressor relay

What happens when the AC relay goes out?

An AC relay acts as a switch and manages the flow of the power supply to the compressor and the clutch. Like any other machine, it will wear out with time and need a replacement. Without a proper working relay, the compressor will not function, and the AC will not generate cool air.

How can I tell if my AC relay is bad?

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad AC Relay?.

Erratic Cooling. The compressor of an air conditioner takes power from its relay. ... .

The Compressor of AC Not Turning On. Another prominent sign that your AC might hold a bad relay is that your unit's compressor might not turn on. ... .

No Cool Airflow..

How often do AC relays go bad?

The life of the compressor relay is measured in cycles, not miles – in other words, how many times it is turned on and off. Most are rated for about 50,000 cycles. For the typical driver, this usually translates to about ten years' worth of driving.