A/C Pros in Highlands Ranch area?

[Ramsker]

Well . . . my AC suddenly died today. Has been working fine up to now. It's the original unit that came with the house (built around 1996). Ruud model # UAKA-048JAZ. I am starting to run through the basics that I can think of, but may need a pro to come take a look at it. Neither the unit not the fan is running when I mess with the thermostat. Same goes for the heat . . . I can turn thermostat to heat or cool and turn the fan on to manual and nothing happens.

- Main panel fuse was not tripped . . . tried tripping and turning back on and no luck
- Capacitor doesn't look blown . . .top isn't popped from what I can tell, but I am no electrical guy.
- May run up to the big box and try replacing the shutoff fuses??? Gues it's not that if the furnace doesn't run.
- Will also try cleaning off the fins on the unit. They are pretty clogged. Does not look iced up though.

Any thoughts . . . or know of anyone who speacializes in this who is in the area?

[Wulf202]

Check the fuse at the ssu

Look thru the sight glass on the furnace and see if it blinks a code.

[Ramsker]

Check the fuse at the ssu

Look thru the sight glass on the furnace and see if it blinks a code.

IS that the round screw-in fuse next to the light switch on the furnace? It looks good to me, but I was going to run up and get a new one and try it just in case.

I don't see anything that flashes a code. It's an old furnace . . . like mid 90's. RUUD UGDG-12EARJR . . . so probably doesn't have the modern bells & whistles to show one??

[Wulf202]

Yes. That's the screw in fuse.

To be clear your furnace fan doesn't come on? I am referring to the furnace. Not the condenser.

The sight glass should be on the non louvered panel of the furnace. Otherwise pull this panel and hold or block the door switch and look at the main board for a few minutes while you've got it set to run. That panel should have a trouble code diagram on the back of it.

[Ramsker]

Yes. That's the screw in fuse.

To be clear your furnace fan doesn't come on? I am referring to the furnace. Not the condenser.

The sight glass should be on the non louvered panel of the furnace. Otherwise pull this panel and hold or block the door switch and look at the main board for a few minutes while you've got it set to run. That panel should have a trouble code diagram on the back of it.

Correct . . . fan does not come on at all. If I set the termostat to heat or cool and if I set the fan to auto or on. None of that triggers anythign to happen and no air blows through the house vents (and nothiing happens at the furnace). Thermostat clicks and then nada. AC unit outside also does nothing.

I'll check again once I get off these conference calls. My only saving grace is that I have a portable AC in my office . . . so there's at least one cool room.

[Wulf202]

most likely causes at this point are a power faulire, board failure or a transformer failure.

Do you have a multimeter?

[Ramsker]

most likely causes at this point are a power faulire, board failure or a transformer failure.

Do you have a multimeter?

I have a multimeter . . . but am totally remedial at using it. Willing to give anything a try though.

Furnace controls look like this. Not seeing anything that shows a code or lights or anything.

[Wulf202]

1 verify power to the door switch on both sides when pushed. If no power move up to the SSU

2 verify power to the transformer. (black banded white square thingy with the yellow wires coming out top centerleft of pic) Hold door switch down

3 verify power output of transformer (yellow wires, voltages will be on the label) Hold door switch down.

[Wulf202]

4. look for indications of a trouble light, Small plastic window in the panel, LED present on the board, back of the panel has a troubleshooting code listing for number of blinks. Put the thermostat in heat mode and crank it up till it clicks to call for heating. Hold the door switch, if you have power to both sides of the door switch and the transformer AND have indications there should be a light and there is no light. Probably a bad board.

[Ramsker]

OK . . . I'll try to figure all those out. Appreciate the suggestions!

I have someone coming out on Fri if I can't figure this out before then. FIgured I better get on someone's schedule ASAP and I can always cancel if I get lucky. I replaced that fuse, btw . . . no change.