Outdoor AC Unit Clicking Repeatedly but Fan Wont Spin in Windermere Pflugerville

Jessica_L_Windermere Homeowner

Posted in Pflugerville Homeowner Forum • Travis County

Question: Every 5 minutes our outdoor AC unit makes a loud mechanical clicking or chattering sound, but neither the condenser fan nor the compressor turns on. We live in Windermere. What causes this repetitive clicking and is it safe to keep the breaker on?

✓ VERIFIED PRACTIONER DIAGNOSIS

Travis_H_EPA_Universal Texas TDLR Senior Diagnostics Tech

Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation Certified

A 24V contactor with severe copper pitting and fire ant infestation prevented stable high-voltage contact closure, paired with a failed 5 microfarad fan capacitor circuit.

Diagnostic Procedure & Field Restoration:

Central Texas tawny fire ants entered the outdoor electrical compartment, attracted to the 24V electromagnetic coil.
Dead ants trapped between contactor silver-alloy points caused high-resistance electrical arcing and severe voltage chatter.
Shut down 240V high-voltage disconnect box to prevent compressor motor winding damage.
Replaced pitted contactor with a sealed contactor assembly and installed a new dual run capacitor, restoring quiet operation.

Experiencing this exact symptom in Pflugerville?

Technicians carry exact replacement capacitors, contactors, and diagnostic test instruments on service trucks for rapid same-day restoration.

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