Roof AC Issue

Ok, roof air not working.  Fan comes on, compressor tries to start but does not come on.  A little chronology.

1.  First time:  called tech came and repaired pin whole leak, added refrigerant-worked fine for short while

2.  Second time:  same symptoms, called tech, found a pinched copper tube, added refrigerant worked

3.  Third time:  fan comes on, compressor tries but no start. Now generator begins to stumble and shuts down.  Shows code for needs service ( 96 hours, I serviced at 50} 3 blinks.  Starts and runs with smaller loads, hot water heater, etc.

Wondering if this could be faulty start  capacitor in ac causing overload?  All thoughts appreciated.   

Well hi from the Spacecoast!   


1) Where was the pinhole leak?  in a line, coil, or    *GENERALLY* pinhole leaks are a sign of the AC reaching end of service life. Especially if they are from internal corrosion.

2) A pinched copper tube...    Thats very strange. Did the tech have any explanation of HOW things moved and the line became pinched? Are support plates and brackets corroded away?

3) sounds like SOMETHING in the AC is creating excessive current draw. Yes, it could be the start capacitor. Test it and see.    I would be cautious while testing, IF things moved enough in the unit to pinch a copper line they MAY have moved something else and allowed electrical contact to something it shouldnt.    That could be a fire hazard overhead.  VERY hard to say. Err on the side of caution.


I would be considering a new AC unit soon if I had those problems , but yours is a 2017?  seem kind of new for pinhole leaks and all these other problems!!!

Pin hole leak in coil. Pinched copper, not sure why. Going up to check. AC does not run on shore power but did not kick off breaker.

A side note....

I was washing my PC a few years ago and noticed a missing screw that holds the a/c cover on.  They are special screws.  I had to order some from Camping World.  After getting your a/c serviced, go up there and make sure the technician tightened the 4 screws enough.

Pin hole leak in coil. Pinched copper, not sure why. Going up to check. AC does not run on shore power but did not kick off breaker.

Gotcha.   Well..... Not a lot to add I guess. Hope a visual reveals some mystery.

YouTube is the  #1 go to place for any and all DIY repairs. That plus a little common sense goes a long way.

Florida without air conditioning ? I would be pissed too.

I had a problem with my AC in Arizona it acted as if it wanted to start but the compressor didn’t seem to come on and it was a dual start run capacitor

My at home Lennox central a/c unit outside had a dual starting capacitor that bled fluid and died, of coarse during an extreme heat wave.  The big fan on top repeatedly tried to spin but just couldn't get going.  I replaced that part within hours with two separate capacitors that I bought from Granger that totaled less than $50.

Hopefully the cost of repair for your PC roof a/c was reasonable.