Failed run capacitor on hot afternoons
Why it happens here
The run capacitor is a $20 part that fails under heat stress. In Sans Souci, where July temperatures hit the mid-90s, the capacitor is the first thing to go. When it fails, the compressor will not start and the system blows warm air.
Our approach
We test the capacitor with a multimeter and replace it with the correct microfarad rating. We also check the contactor for pitting, because a bad contactor can take out the new capacitor. Most jobs are done in under an hour.