Trane Heat Pump Soft Lockout: Why And How To Fix It?

by HVAC Contributor October 24, 2022, 12:00 pm 2.6k Views

Your Trane heat pump notifies you that it is in soft lockout mode once you turn it on. Why is the appliance issuing this alert to you?

Your Trane heat pump may be in soft lockout mode as a result of a broken compressor or temperature regulator. If not, some of its connections may be broken or need to be replaced.

Be aware that diagnosing your Trane heat pump can assist you in determining the cause of the soft lockout issue. After that, you can address the problem’s primary cause by employing the right techniques.

Reasons For Soft Lockout On A Trane Heat Pump

Because of three potential causes, a Trane heat pump frequently displays a gentle lockout warning to its consumers. These possible suspects include:

Regulator Of Temperature Is Faulty

Temperature regulators are a common feature in heat pumps, especially those made by Trane. These parts allow the appliance to output the correct temperature based on manual or automatic settings.

For instance, the regulator will configure the heat pump to generate enough heat in the winter. In contrast, it enables the heat pump to deliver chilly air in the summer.

A soft lockout could occur if the regulator malfunctions and is unable to read temperature measurements accurately.

Additionally, if the broken component isn’t replaced, the Trane heat pump could enter a hard lockout.

Poor Compressor

The compressor of a conventional heat pump is in charge of moving refrigerant around the device. The compressors in Trane’s models typically serve the same purpose as those in other heat pumps on the market.

Therefore, a Trane heat pump with a defective compressor may have decreased performance as a whole, which may result in a soft lockout. While this warning is still in effect, using the heat pump could lead to additional problems and more costly repairs than anticipated.

Damaged Connections

The Trane heat pump’s connections, such as the hoses and wires, could eventually wear out. The device could malfunction as a result of cracks, gaps, holes, and weak connections, which would trigger the soft lockout alert. The performance of the heat pump may be returned to normal by reconnecting or replacing these components.

How Can A TXV Be Replaced In A Trane Heat Pump?

A word of caution: Replacing a TXV in a heat pump is frequently a task best left to qualified HVAC specialists. If you don’t feel confident, knowledgeable, or skilled enough to accomplish this procedure without making big blunders, don’t do it.

A thermal expansion valve (TXV) aids in controlling the heat pump’s refrigerant release. This element is present in a few Trane heat pump models, providing consumers with enough cold or heat as needed.

In the event that this valve starts to malfunction, replacing it might be preferable to making short-term repairs. As you move forward with this project, be sure to remember the following steps:

What You’ll Require:

Recovery of refrigerant cylinder
Rechargeable refrigerant kit
Scale
Kit for purging nitrogen
Bollet cutters
Commercial soldering equipment
Heat-resistance putty
Wet rag or cloth

The Process

Step 1: Flush The Refrigerant

Follow these instructions to drain the Trane heat pump of any remaining refrigerant:

Take note of the recovery cylinder’s capacity and place it close to the heat pump.
Connect the hose from the manifold’s low-side gauge hose to the suction connection of the heat pump.
Connect the high-side gauge line to the king valve.
Connect the central hose of the gauge assembly to the refrigerant container.
To release any trapped air in the lines, just slightly open the connection.
To monitor the recovery process’ progress, place the recovery cylinder on the refrigerant scale.
Start the system for flushing refrigerant, then fill the container to 80% of its maximum capacity.
For the time being, shut the lines and remove the assembly.

Step #2: Applying A Nitrogen Sweep

The Trane heat pump may move air and water vapor before it condenses by being nitrogen-swept. By doing this, the likelihood that the unit will sustain additional damage while the old TXV is being removed and the new one is being installed would be minimal.

Typically, a nitrogen sweep goes like this:

As directed by the manufacturer, attach the nitrogen purge kit to the Trane heat pump.
Make the vacuum pump operate normally.
Use a heat pump to provide low heat to the evaporator, condenser, and compressor.
Inject nitrogen into the heat pump using the purge kit, then let it run for roughly 10 minutes.
Repeat the vacuuming for an additional 30 minutes.
In order to finish the purge, repeat steps 2 through 4.

Step #3: Discard The Previous TXV

From the Trane heat pump, unscrew the outdated TXV. If you are unable to unscrew it conventionally, you might need to use a pair of bolt cutters to cut the wires.

Step #4: Install The New TXV

Put the new TXV in the same spot as the previous one. After that, dab a moist cloth with heat-blocking putty. On the line above the TXV assembly, attach the damp material.

The pipes should then be secured using a soldering equipment to heat up the metal where the lines are connected. If you need to use the soldering machine more than once, be sure to give the metal lines time to cool.

Step #5: Recharge The Heat Pump

Reconnect the Trane heat pump and the refrigerant recharge assembly. Fill the appliance to the proper level with refrigerant. After finishing, switch on the heat pump to see if the soft lockout issue still exists. This procedure can be finished successfully in two to three hours.

How Can A Trane Heat Pump Be Reset?

A Trane heat pump’s soft lockout state may be lifted by resetting the device. You can finish this activity by carrying out the steps below:

The Process

Switch off the associated thermostat.
The toggle switch on the heat pump’s top should be turned to the off position.
Allow the appliance to idle for at least 30 seconds without using it.
On the heat pump, flip the toggle switch located at the top.
By using the thermostat, restart the heat pump’s electrical system.
See if the soft lockout notice or any other problems are still present.

How Long Is The Lifespan Of A Trane Heat Pump?

With the right care and maintenance, Trane heat pumps typically last 15 to 20 years. No matter the type or model chosen, keep in mind that a heat pump’s lifespan can change depending on a number of circumstances. For instance, if a heat pump is constantly exposed to inclement weather, its lifespan may be shortened.

What Is The Price Of Replacing A Trane Compressor?

If the Trane compressor is still covered by warranty, be prepared to spend between $600 and $1,200 to replace it. If not, you might be required to pay between $1,300 and $2,500 for a replacement. The expert labor needed to accomplish the replacement procedure may already be included in this pricing range.

On the other hand, you might potentially wish to buy a new appliance altogether. If so, you could have to pay between $3,300 and $5,900 on a replacement unit.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting the appliance is frequently the first step in resolving the root reason of your Trane heat pump experiencing a soft lockout. Keep in mind that the compressor, temperature regulator, or machine connections are frequently to blame for this issue.