I love KZfaq. I've used it to fix so many things... My mom is a single mother/homeowner and she almost cried when our AC stopped working (we're currently dealing with a leak somewhere in our basement as well) so finding your video saved my mom a lot of heartache and potentially wasted money. Thank you. We are very grateful.

My AC unit went out this morning and I decided to KZfaq the problem. I came to your page and the symptoms were exact. My unit sounded as if it was running but the fan would not turn. Like you said, I needed a start/run capacitor. I went on amazon to find the part I needed which was about $26.00. I was able to make one more phone call to Lowe's Home Improvement which gave me the name of my local AC parts dealer. I contacted him and paid $10.30 for the part. He was nice enough to sell it to me as some require a license to buy depending on your seller! He told me DO NOT call anyone to put it on because I will be charged greatly for such an easy but what I consider, a valuable fix! When I got home, I watched your video one more time. I had my unit running and cooling again in less than a half hour! I saved hundreds on labor thanks to you!

I know this video is ten years old, but David, if you're still around...THANK YOU. I'll be forever grateful for how you showed me that I can fix complex problems on my own AND save a bunch of money. You rock!

Thanks for explaining the danger of touching the capacitor and how to safely discharge it

My husband followed your instructions and had our air blowing within 15 -20mins. The AC companies were charging us anywhere from $95 - $125 just to cone out and do a diagnostic test. Thanks.

Seriously great video. Nearly 8 years after it was posted and still helping people out. Just fixed my AC in about ten minutes thanks to you.

Thank you for your stressing safety. So many people breeze through that topic, or casually mention it.I'm going to repeat a story I posted on another site. I took my grandson to a trade school open house, and as we walked out of an electrician display of graduates, there was a separate display of one particular individual. I asked what was the reason for his distinction. We were told that on the second week of his first job he had electrocuted himself by not following one of the basic rules that were taught at the school. 23 years old. You never know who might be reached by your emphasis on safety. What is routine mundane practice for you, could reach the right ears and save a life just by emphasizing that important area of professionalism.

OK. I have no idea how to fix a central air conditioning unit. I watched this video…..followed the instructions……and BOOM! It worked. Wow. Thank you very much!

*So amazingly quiet and **Fastly.Cool** in my room! 42db is at a whisper level. I bought 2 and installed myself.Very sturdy bracket and easy to adjust to fit windows of different size. Absolutely fabulous units!!*

I can't thank you enough bud. AC was out just as summer came. Called AC repair cost 45 bucks for parts and 250 for labor. I decided to watch your video first, ordered capacitor on Amazon for 18 bucks. Took 15 mins to replace and it kicked on. Works like a champ now...thanks again!!

This video saved me over $2k today! Thank you so much for making this and explaining so well! Replaced my run capacitor today myself for $35, rather than replacing the whole unit as quoted by a repair company. Completely solved the problem!

Thanks! I just fixed my air condition by myself while my husband was at work. It was a little more at a local appliance store than it would've been on amazon, but not too bad for getting it the same day. Good thing my a/c guy wasn't calling me back and I found this video instead.

What a beautifully done video which saved my butt big time, thanks a ton! I had to replace my main floor compressor/condenser 2 years ago when the compressor failed. Since it was on the old freon system, both units had to be replaced to the sum of over $8K. I was terrified that I would be in the same boat with this upstairs unit, but thanks to this video the cost to fix it was $12 (the price at our local plumbing/HVAC supply store). I was searching for the capacitor on Amazon and they were like $22 but with free shipping I would get it in 10 days or with $10 expedited shipping I'd get it in 5 days. We were having a major heatwave and I couldn't go even 1 day without getting this fixed. I searched everywhere locally, most places would not sell to an end user like me, only to a supplier. Then I got lucky and found a place 30 minutes from my house called Fergusons and their price was only $12, score! I was concerned at first, because though I was able to get my fan going with a stick as instructed, the air coming out of the vents was not cool. In addition, the air coming out at the outside unit was not hot, where as the air coming out of the main floor unit was. So something was still wrong even with the fan running. I got back on to google that, and one post suggested that the capacitor may not be working when that symptom was occurring. So, I figured I'd go ahead and replace the capacitor and hope that it fixed both problems, getting the fan to kick on as well as making the air that came out of the vents cool. At this point I was still fearful that I'd have to replace my compressor. After the capacitor was installed, I went upstairs to feel the air coming out of the ceiling and with my hands in the air I fell to my knees practically in tears, tears of joy. I felt like Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta after being released from prison, out on the balcony in the rain with her hands up, crying and saying, "God is in the rain". Yes, God had answered my prayers (I was very much praying for help as I could not sustain another $8K setback) and he did so via David Giltner! Thank you so much for posting this. This comment is the least that I could do to share my gratitude. I hope that my comments can give someone else "hope" to get their problems resolved inexpensively. When you're A/C goes out, you are so vulnerable. It never goes out in the Winter when it is not being used, it only goes out when you need it most. Let's face it, most of us cannot survive some of these temps without it, not the triple digit temps that we are having right now and that are forecasted for the next 7+ days. These HVAC repair companies know this, and they can charge whatever premium they want. They can tell you your whole system needs replacing and quote you whatever ridiculous price and though you'll be outraged, your first question will be, "how long before it is fixed?". Thank goodness for people like David Giltner who take time to post these DIY helps for us novices who don't know any better. THANKS again!

Thank you Sir. I noticed that my house was getting hot. I check the vent, hot air was blowing. So, I went outside to the unit, the fan wasn't moving at all. Went on KZfaq, discovered your channel. Watch this video. Went back outside, to jump start the fan, fan starts moving again. Will be placing the Capacitor this week. Thank Sir.

Thank you Thank you Thank you! I'm in Florida, and our A/C likes to go out in the middle of the night in summer, when it's too late to call a technician. Your video helped me kickstart my outside unit's fan, so my kids and I will be able to sleep comfortably tonight!

Just fixed my A/C doing this took me 10 mins. You are much appreciated on this hot Florida day.

Thank you David! After a sweltering Kansas weekend (95) without AC, I was able to find a supplier Monday morning to sell me this part ($50 versus $300+ for emergency weekend service)... my two little kiddos and pregnant wife cheered when it kicked on! Your attention to safety and simplified yet thorough instructions turned this novice home owner into a hero. :) Stay cool...

Took the top off and moved the fan. It was a little more resistant than yours is. But after a few revolutions by hand, it freed up. I sprayed a tad bit of WD-40 here and there and the blades moved with ease. Put it back together and boom, fixed. Thank you sir, I'd buy you a beer if I had the chance.

My home AC fan was not blowing cold air today (it's 98 degrees F outside). Followed your steps to the tee, replaced the capacitor and now AC is working GRRREEEAAATTT! Thanks for posting!

I followed your instructions and spent $13 on a new capacitor to fix my AC by myself. THANK YOU!!!!!

I can't thank you enough for this video. In the middle of the night the air stopped working. The kids quickly became uncomfortable and the crying began. we are on a budget and desperate to get it fixed right away. When I seen that your fan wasn't running either, my husband went out and bought a capacitor and fuses. I'm handy with tools so I replaced capacitor. Go girl power! The fan is running again and the house is getting cool. The only issue I had was that the yellow wires, you had two, I had a single wire. But it's working. Would that make a difference at all? Thanks again. You saved us a great deal on money and time.

100 plus in Texas rn ac went out at 3 am found this video and fixed my ac so my family can stay cool thank you and God bless all you saved us 🥹

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! watched your video and ordered a capacitor on amazon for $13.95 and fixed my compressor...my dad who was in the plumber/heating business would be so proud :)

Add me to the list of (I am sure) countless people who fixed their AC by following this video. My upstairs system is about 10-years-old... thereabout. It stopped working yesterday evening. I watched this video, last night... determined that I could help get the fan spinning when the compressor kicked on. It would continue spinning, but really slow. But, it was clearly evident that it WAS spinning on its own power... just nowhere near the RPM's it should spin. I found a replacement capacitor at a local business, this morning, drove over and picked up the part, brought it home, and was able to replace the faulty capacitor (the top was actually bulging/domed, on the bad capacitor). Moral of the story; fan came on right away. It was 83 degrees and super-stuffy/muggy upstairs. About an hour/hour-and-a-half later it is 78 degrees, the system is still running/cooling, and the temperature is continuing to drop. Thanks!!

This video and another similar youtube tutorial and reading two hvac articles made it clear that my capacitor was the problem. I called my local hvac store and they had a replacement part for $42. In 10 minutes, my BF had the capacitor replaced and my a/c unit worked instantly! So grateful and Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

You just saved my family from sweating all night until I can get a new capicator tomorrow. Same problem with fan not kicking on but your self push to get it going allowed us to run the AC through the night so my 1 and 2.5 year olds didn't sweat all night sleeping. Thank you kindly, Sir. Keep up the good work helping others you've never met! Cheers.

Sometimes, some people are not able to hire a repairman because they don't have money. So your video is very useful for us. Thank you, sir. God bless you.

like almost everyone else on this thread, you saved me prob hundreds on a service call. i had same symptoms, ordered new capacitor on Amazon, installed tonight at 130am in less than 10 mins (and with a pretty good vodka buzz workin'!!) and it got the fan and refrigerant whizzin!!! THANKS DAVID

Hello sir, Thank you so much for this video. it was very helpful and right on the money for what is wrong with our AC and how to fix it. my wife and I were US Marines we moved to Fl and our AC Fan sometimes won't turn. this Video saved us spending our money on an AC repair guy. thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. this video it is what Amercia needs to be about again people helping people, either through KZfaq or in person, thank you for your professionalism and your time.

Thank you! My AC went out yesterday and I didn't have the money to fix it. My home warranty was canceled last month, and it's in the 90's. I used my prayed and screwdriver to turn the fan...and Boo Yow! It worked!!! Thank God! Be blessed!!!

I just got the bad news from the AC tech. He said I needed to replace my outdoor unit fan and he couldn't guarantee I hadn't already burned up the compressor (or whatever the thing is called that the fan cools). I decided I need to check it out for myself when I get home (I'm at work right now). I'm hoping my fan moves freely as yours did and maybe I can try to just fix it myself. That would save me $535 that I don't have. I was preparing for a long hot summer! Thank you for your information. Fingers crossed.

I have to give you a lot of credit. Initially I thought your video did not apply to my case as neither my compressor nor fan would run. I killed the power and upon restoring it, the compressor ran but the fan didn't. So....I gave the fan a nudge, and SHAZAM, the fan took off and the AC worked. One new dual capacitor later and the fan start problem was solved. So, your video was right on the money! The only slight difference was that on my Carrier one of the yellow wires, with a red stripe, went to HERM instead of common. All is cool again in 108F Phoenix. I could have waited a few days in a hotel room for my home warranty people to come out, but this worked out far better. THANKS!

Thankyou for the video. Just got home and it was 82 degree in my house. The compressor was on but I had to kickstart the fan as you had shown. Glad it an easy fix. Its awesome to have good folks like yourself to help out when sometimes just a simple repair is needed!

Hello David Thank you so much for posting video's. I bought a capacitor installed it in in less than 10 mins and A/C working perfect. The power of the internet is amazing and for you to take the time to make these video's shows the kind person you are. KUDOS to you from the great white north Canada.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was sitting here googling repair companies at 11pm trying to see who to call. Decided to take a look at the unit itself and realized that the fan wasn't running on the outside unit (same as your situation). Followed your instructions to kickstart it and it looks like I'll make it through the night by setting the temp low and cooling off the house for a quick fix. I'll work on replacing the capacitor tomorrow. Just wanted to say thank you!!! If I didn't have air this evening I would have probably killed my husband ;)

Thanks for the video. I diagnosed my problem, ordered the capacitor, and replaced it myself. While spinning the fan did indeed start it, the AC wasn't blowing out very cool air which had me a little nervous. But with the new capacitor, cold air flowed....thanks again for this video.

God bless you sir. You have helped myself, my family and so many folks with this video. I salute you

Excellent video, thank you very much! This turned out to be exactly the problem and solution in my case. Saved me a service visit, for sure. The replacement capacitor was purchased at a local heating and cooling shop the next day, for $28. Problem solved, and I am super happy being able to fix it myself. Thanks again!

I followed the steps and it worked! Replaced the capacitor for just $30 and potentially saved $300 ! Thank you

Thank you just saved me a big expensive bill calling out someone I did exactly what you said and my AC started working.

David Giltner, As a woman, I was a bit nervous, but I was able to replace my capacitor myself. It went just like you said. Did the kickstart trick and got it going, but still no cooling, so I replaced the dual capacitor. $22 later (picked it up this morning at Grainger) and my house is cooling down as I write. I read all 348 comments before trying this myself. :-) I see you have blessed so many with the knowledge/talent God has given you. Like so many others, I am so thankful to you! Thanks for making it so easy to understand! Continue to be a blessing!

I was able to kick start my AC unit. Will order the part and try to fix it myself. Thanks for your help.

I fixed my AC in 35 mins. I am a nurse and I did it. Not hard at all following your instructions. Thank you!!!!

Just found this video today. Ordered the part on Amazon and fixed it tonight. Just now in fact. Thanks so much for this post.

A correction if you don't mind. The dual capacitor is for both the compressor and the fan. It is a run cap not a start cap. The big number is the compressor microfarads and the small number is the fan. There are three contact ports on top. The compressor will have two tabs which are both the same. The common will have four tabs. The compressor will be labeled herm. If the compressor won't turn over, a hard start cap is in order

This is exactly my issue!!! Thanks!!! Saves me from calling AC guy and spending 300$

Couldn’t thank you enough this video is awesome. Covid -19 summer and no ac was just the worst combination... I’m a lady and I did it in less than 15 minutes , all thanks to you

Thanks for this video. My AC quit working last night, so I KZfaqd it. Your video saved me tons of cash. I never would've thought to try and 'kickstart' the fan motor to test the capacitor. I found the capacitor in town for about $15! Running like a champ now.

Thanks man you just saved my sunday suppose to be 93....Until repair can come out monday I got the fan jump started.

Thank you so much for this video. I was able to repair my ac unit for $25 and 15 minutes. You are a life saver.

Thanks for using a camera mount (i hate shaky videos) and your narration was brief and on-point. Excellent video! I'll be trying this fix myself today.

Thank you! We came home tonight and turned on the a/c only to discover it was blowing hot air. I read several articles and watched several videos and yours was the first to clearly explain how to troubleshoot our unit. I was able to kickstart the fan, which will get us through this hot night, and I'll head out in search of a capacitor tomorrow morning!

Very helpful, actually those were the symptoms of my initial and I needed to kickstart fan every time, thanks!

If you can kick start the fan and cold air doesn't blow, it is probably still the capacitor. I thought maybe that once the fan was going it would work, but the air wasn't cooling even when the fan was spinning. I tried replacing the capacitor and that did it! Thanks David for saving me $$$!

a year ago, my a.c. did this exact same thing...you saved me hundreds and helped me retain what little "man-card" I have left in my family. I am no HandyManny my man. Thanks again

Thanks for the video David I followed your procedure after a few hours I got it done. We need working AC in Arizona. Thanks for your generosity again.

Alternate clickbait title, "HVAC repairmen hate how this one video is saving homeowners tons of money". But this video is actually really helpful, unlike clickbait...) Looking at the comments, my alternate title would hold true, lol. Great video. I keep an old plastic rod (that used to turn the blinds slats open and closed) in my bag for making the fan check. I know a screwdriver is nearly as safe, but I feel better using the cheap plastic.

6 years later, almost to the day, you just helped me... thank you!!! Of course with different brands there are still things to figure out, but you nailed it!

Excellent Video. I need more like this one for my other 973 problems!

Ahh yay thank you so much for posting this video! Totally fixed the ac unit while my husband was away at work! :)

Thank you Mr. Giltner! You really saved the day at my house! 106 degrees in town today and the checkbook couldn't take the heat from the local HVAC guys. You broke it down so well- again, thank you! I've also got to thank Mr. Bolton and the chatting you two did back and forth- I highly doubt my improved unit will trouble me any time soon in the future. My unit is only four years old-they don't make 'em like they used to- on purpose. The last one lasted 22 years. Thanks again guys! Dave Sturman

Thank you David. I checked my system and was pretty sure it was my capacitor. I called a local HVAC (Air Pros) and they sent someone out. After checking everything he went from almost $600 for a cleaning, a tune-up and to replace the capacitor, then down to over $300 finally down to almost $200 just for changing out the capacitor. I told him that I could get one for about $20, and do it myself. Before he left, he said he was going to put everything back together. After he left, I found 2 screws that he chose NOT to put back on, and I found the loose plate they went to. 3 days later (today), I got the part from Air Star Supply, out of Florida, and put it on, and we are a bit chilly now inside the house, woo hoo. And BTW, the technician who took off my capacitor didn't even discharge the old capacitor, he was very lucky he didn't get a shock, or worse. I won't be calling them again.

Found a local guy who had this part for $20 and with a little direction from him, the good Lord on my side, and the help of your video I was able to diagnose the problem and solve it for probably 5 times less than a repair company would cost. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, it was in the 90's today, this video was a life saver!

Another happy viewer checking in! Thanks David for this amazing video, I was able to do a quick capacitor swap that my home warranty service wanted $75 for! 30 minutes of my time and $20 later my AC is back in action.

Watched your 10 min. Video, ordered the part, and and installed the new part within 5 minutes. It was literally the easiest repair I've ever done. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Cost me $15 from Amazon. Cool breeze 😃

Thanks a bunch Maaan!!! Today is a beautiful Sunday . It's hot outside and cool and sweet inside the house. You deserve blessings. You saved me 100s even 1000s of dollars. My fan stopped working 4 days ago then I stumbled on your video on Friday evening. I went online (ebay/Amazon) to order the capacitor. However Yesterday Saturday I called all local stores, and I found one in a ACE hardware store next town, about 30min drive. The only one that matches with my capacitor (Same specs ) was about 1incn bigger. I made it fit in the holder ring with the screw holding perfectly tight the back of ring in contact with unit wall. And my AC is working even better than before. It feels beautiful and fresh inside the house on this extremely hot summer day. Thank you very much. And be blessed.

You are a God send! The fan on the rental property wasn't spinning. The screwdriver tip worked. May God continue to bless you!

Thank you. My ac unit was doing exactly that. Compressor running but fan wasn't spinning. I spun the fan and started right up and started cooling.

Damn my unit was humming I twist the fan on unit it started going I'm blowing cold thanks brother

You are a hero!! I was ready to take apart the machine to try and figure out why it wasn't working, but then tried your method of helping to kickstartrt the fan and it worked!! Thank you!!

You've been G.O.A.Ted. 👏 thanks for your service to us laymen

The kick start saved me from dealing with a pregnant wife on the hottest day of the year

Omg! You are a lifesaver. I just kick start the fan with a screwdriver and it worked!!

Thanks! The stick didn't work to move the fan but THE GARDEN HOSE being sprayed on the fan worked like a charm.

Thank you so much for your video! I saved a lot of money for fixing it on my own. We need more people like you in this society.

Thx bud, $21 capacitor and 10 min labor! Hell yah!! 👍

Thanks! We were living in agony for the last 2 days, and spinning that fan worked a miracle while the thermostat was set to on. Amazing tutorial, glad I stumbled on to it!!

This video saved me time, money, and kept my wife and 1 year old daughter comfortable during a hot Texas summer night. Thank you!

This video is nostalgic to me. One time my dad was trying to fix the air condition and I showed him this video and it helped. I also watched this a lot when I was little to. So much memories

You are God sent!!! Thanks just saved me from AC tech crooks.

Thanks for posting this. We learned so much from it.

Wowowow!!!! Our AC has been broken for two weeks, we followed this video and we’re back in service! Much need in Tucson AZ heat 🌵

Thanks for the video. Took no time and the AC was up and running again. As a few of the posts below suggests, take a pic of the capacitor before disconnecting the wires. That way you know where to place them back on the new one. I also took the old capacitor with me to the supply shop to make sure I purchased the correct new one. Thanks again!

45uF for compressor, 5uF for fan. If you had to you can't find a dual capacitor, you can buy them individually and wire them separate

Kick ass man. I am going to save myself some $$$ because of you!!!

I order a new capacitor for 15 bucks , the AC company didn’t carry any in stock . So I ended up fixing my u it for 15 bucks . Since the part numbers were erased due to the age , I traced the part number by running the model number of the whole unit , the manufacture gives you a specs sheet of the whole unit . Thank you , and thank god for KZfaq 👊👊👊

Thanks so much sir, for saving my $600 yesterday 06/19/19. Guy charged $150 just to look up plus $450 for job, he went home deport to come back ur video save me in 15 minutes.

Thank you so much for posting this , I was able to repair my AC with a capacitor bought off eBay I bought TWO capacitors :P have a spare

Thanks for the tip. I used a screwdriver and spun the fan and it started running.

David, do you realize you have probably saved consumers a few million dollars by posting this video (you have 1.99 million views right now). I only watched the first 3 or 4 minutes and killed the power and went ahead and got a replacement, BUT your points later about making sure the capacitor is discharged is significant (I watched that after I did mine). Luckily mine was probably fried so I had no issues. Of course mine died on the 4th of July, so no local supplies were open and I had to pay $60 to a local repair guy for just the capacitor ($220 if he did the work). Such an easy fix. Thank you David!

THANK YOU! Just kick-started my fan after watching your video. Its 98F , 110 with heat index and its a Saturday! David Giltner, your're our Hero!

2019 and thanks to you, this girl fixed 2 A/C units!! Thank you!!

Big number on the capacitor is to start the compressor, the smaller number is for the fan.

GOOD VIDEO. I changed my capacitor last month. When I need a technician to fix ANYTHING in my home,.... I watch a KZfaq on the topic, learn how to do it, go buy parts, and DO IT MYSELF !!

Dude.... it’s 11:48 at night and my house was 87 degrees. The family was miserable. I just did this. Now one wanted to come out and hold the flashlight for me because everyone’s already so grumpy and didn’t have faith in this trick. Just tried it..she cranked up and our house has already dropped 5 degrees. Gonna have someone come out tomorrow, but this just saved us from being miserable in Florida...

Thank you so much! $25 for the fix! Your the man!

you helped save people a lot of money. Good Job!!

You just saved me a ton of money, a motor for my unit is about 500 plus labor, I was able to identify that it's the capacitor so I could talk to the techs with some level of intelligence and know that I'm not getting screwed. Thank you sir.

I had the same issue. It was intermittent. I noticed it on a Friday, and had to manually spin the fan a few times, but sometimes it did it on its own and didn't appear to be an issue. So I let it run from Friday-Tuesday and like I said, it was on and off, sometimes i had to do it, sometimes I didn't. Well, I got tired of doing that sotI figured I'd so a bit more research instead of just calling an HVAC guy. I told my wife it was the capacitor, she found this video, and said we could do it. We fixed our shower before, put up backsplash, put up ceiling fans, outdoor lights and put in a new lightswitchs and outlets and this looked even easier than that. So I kept the A/C off at the end of Tues-Wed- and got the part on Thursday afternoon. Cut off the power, breaker, undid fuse outside, then took off the panel, discharged the cap with a screwdriver. Undid the wires, and then took off the bracket and popped the new 18 dollar cap in. Put the panel back on, put the power back to the a/c, went inside and turned it on. BAM, air was cool, didn't hesitate at all. I waited...it reached the desired temp, then an hour later, it clicked on, and BAM!!! Fan was spinning, no need for me to go out into the back and spin it with a stick. So awesome, I love having cool air.

Thank you so much! I just had to use a stick to push the fan blade a tad and it started running.