Heat pump problem

A couple nights ago I noticed that the compressor outside was not kicking on. I didn't even sound like it was trying. Fortunately the aux strips in the air exchanger are working so we are not freezing to death. The next morning when I got up everything was working fine until now. Its doing it again. I had a bad starting capacitor a while back and a new one fixed that but at least that time I could tell it was trying to kick in. Could the cap be going again? Any suggestions? Its going to be hard to get a tech out here for a day or 2 due the holidays.

BB, were you just looking out the window and noticed the condenser fan not running, or were you outside? Reason I ask is, during defrost, the condenser fan motor doesn't run, only the compressor in A/C cycle (not heat) to defrost the condenser coil, and back-up heat is brought on to compensate inside while defrost is occurring.

Also, not sure of your ambient temps, but sometimes they (installer) have added a thermistor added to prevent operation in extreme cold, since once they (Heat Pump) reach a balance point, they generate little heat while operating, so they're just prevented from operation, and heat is provided 100% from whatever back-up heat source you have. Once ambient temps rise, it allows it to operate again.

It has always worked regardless of how cold it gets around here. I am familiar with the defrost mode.

Try the main relay if it has one. Push down on the spring loaded block with a screwdriver and see if it kicks in.

What Tracker says. If you have any kind of Analog or digital meter...this is not 100%...take the starting cap off. Place the leads of your meter across the terminals on the cap, if there is a spike in the meter and it slowly bleeds off, the cap is probably ok

Probally another bad cap. Is the outdoor fan running? Outside chance its the contacter if its not running. If you have questions pm me UR number and I'll call you try to walk U through troubleshooting it...

I think ya'll hit it on the head. I went out to take the access panel off and as soon as I just touched the box it started working. Weird.. I found 1 slightly loose wire going to the contactor. Also the contacts look a little burn't. Its hard to tell without taking it clear out. Fortunately it uses a cheap one and I'll go ahead and replace it as soon as I can get one (when the stores open back up). Does that sound like I'm on the right track?

Sounds like you foundit..... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Sounds good - I knew there was another name for a relay (contactor), just couldn't think of it at the moment. The contacts do get wore out. Glad you're good now. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Well? As HVAC mechanic I'm dying to know now!

Got to get that relay and contactor right since both are in most systems.

It it still running since I tightened that wire (one of the AC feeds) going to the contactor. I do have a new one sitting on the shelf along with a new cap if needed. Fortunately the contactor is just a single pole so it was pretty cheap. About $8.50

Sounds like you had high amp draw problem. I bet the internal overload on the compressor clicked off once or twice.