Quick And Easy Steps In Troubleshooting An Amana AC That Does Not Turn On

Amana is widely known for its dependable Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) that offer reliability. Nonetheless, similar to any other appliance, these units may encounter occasional problems. If you come across a situation where your Amana air conditioner fails to start, there’s no need to panic. We have conducted thorough research and compiled a comprehensive list of troubleshooting tips to help you rectify this issue.

To address the problem of your Amana air conditioner not powering on, follow these steps:

1. Verify Controls: Ensure that the air conditioner controls are correctly set up. Activate the unit by pressing buttons like “smart cool,” “high fan,” “medium fan,” “low fan,” or “energy saver.” Adjust the desired temperature using the up and down arrows.
2. Avoid Extension Cords: Make sure your air conditioner is not connected through extension cords. Inadequate power supply through an extension cord can disrupt the unit’s functionality. Instead, plug the air conditioner directly into a wall outlet.
3. Check Power Supply: If the previous step doesn’t resolve the issue, examine the outlet for proper functioning. Inspect your circuit breaker to see if a fuse has tripped or a circuit breaker has been triggered. Reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse as necessary.

There are additional troubleshooting steps available to help you identify the underlying cause of your air conditioner’s malfunction. We strongly recommend further reading to gain more detailed insights.

Self-Diagnosing Your Amana Air Conditioning Unit

Amana air conditioners possess an impressive self-diagnosis capability. Activating this feature does not require technical expertise or tools.

Through a self-diagnostic test, the air conditioner can identify and display error codes that specify the problem at hand. This information will guide you in performing the necessary manual reset to restore proper functionality.

To activate the self-diagnosis feature of your Amana air conditioner, follow these steps:

1. Locate the “Up” and “Down” arrow buttons on the air conditioner.
2. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously.
3. While holding the two buttons, press the “Cool” button twice.
4. Allow a few moments for the display to update.

If the self-diagnostic test is successful, you will observe a flickering red dot in the corner of the screen.

During normal operation of your Amana air conditioner, the screen typically displays the current temperature. However, during a self-diagnostic test, you will only see a “–” symbol. Additionally, a green light will be visible on the bottom left side of the unit’s touchpad.

Let the air conditioner run the self-diagnosis for a few minutes. Once complete, the previously mentioned error code will be displayed, indicating the specific issue.

However, if the unit fails to display an error code and the dashes persist, it indicates that the system cannot detect the current problem. In such cases, resetting the unit will not resolve the issue. We strongly recommend contacting an HVAC professional for assistance.

Understanding Error Codes On Amana Air Conditioners And Resolving Them

For users unfamiliar with Amana air conditioners, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the error codes and their corresponding solutions. To facilitate efficient identification of issues, we have categorized the error codes into four types:

1. Refrigeration Errors

These error codes indicate problems with the cooling system or refrigerant in the air conditioner. If your Amana unit displays these errors after a self-diagnostic test, it is advisable to contact an HVAC professional immediately.

C1, C3, and C4: These codes indicate freezing of the unit’s coils. A simple manual reset will not resolve this issue. To prevent compressor damage, avoid operating the air conditioner. Check and clean the air filters, inspect the fan and blower, and ensure optimal refrigerant levels.

C6: This unique code indicates poor overall performance of multiple components in your PTAC air conditioner. It is crucial to have an HVAC professional inspect the electrical wiring, compressor, and blower motor to effectively address this issue.

C7: “C7” indicates a safety shutdown of the controls, which is a continuation of the freeze warning.

2. System Mode Errors

These error codes relate to issues with the operational framework of your Amana air conditioner. Often, adjusting settings or the unit’s position can resolve these problems.

FP: This code stands for Freeze Protection. It appears on the screen when the ambient temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, preventing potential damage due to freezing. The solution is to relocate the unit to an area with a temperature above 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

On: This code indicates that your air conditioning unit is connected to a wired thermostat. To rectify this, ensure that the unit is connected to a wireless system and adjust the settings accordingly.

OP / NP: Amana PTACs can detect if a door or window is open. The codes “oP” or “nP” will be displayed to alert you of this situation. The system will automatically shut down to conserve energy. Simply close the open door or window to resolve this error.

HP: This code implies that the air conditioner may be at risk of overheating. The unit will switch to Heat Sentinel mode to protect critical components.

Eo: “Eo” indicates an incorrect format in the unit’s service board. Performing a manual reset will resolve this issue, returning the air conditioning unit to its default settings for normal operation.

EH: EH stands for Emergency Hydronic. This code signifies that the unit’s compressor is not functioning, and the EHH switch is off.

LS: LS stands for Load Shedding. It suggests that the compressor and electric heat are turned off. Switching on the “LS” switch will resolve this error.

3. Failures

These error codes indicate specific faulty components in the unit. Replacement is often necessary to resolve the issues.

F1: This code indicates a dual problem: the wireless thermostat is malfunctioning, and the unit’s indoor thermistor (black) may be providing readings beyond its normal range.

F2: The thermostat is no longer functional, even though the indoor thermistor operates correctly.

F3: The wireless thermostat is functioning correctly, but the indoor thermistor is not.

F4: The unit’s indoor thermistor is malfunctioning.

F6: The indoor discharge thermistor (yellow) is operating outside its normal tolerance range.

Fb: This code indicates low battery levels in the unit.

H1: H1 signifies excessively high input voltage, which can potentially damage the unit.

Br: This code is triggered by low incoming voltage, activating Brown Out Protection.

Airflow Alerts

Airflow issues can impact the performance of an air conditioner. The following error codes may be encountered during troubleshooting:

L6: This code indicates that your Amana PTAC is unable to operate under normal conditions. To resolve this, ensure that the air filters are clean.

LC: “LC” denotes more severe problems with the condenser fans and the malfunctioning of the outdoor thermistor (red) due to excessive heat. Cleaning the condenser coils is often necessary to address this issue.

C2: This code signifies that your Amana PTAC is unable to cool the room adequately. Check the unit for any air leaks or obstructions, clean the filter, and ensure the vent door is closed.

C5: This code indicates that the outdoor coils are overheating due to airflow obstructions. Clear any obstacles to restore proper functionality.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting your Amana air conditioner is a straightforward process. The self-diagnosis feature and error codes make it easy to identify and resolve specific problems. Remember to follow the recommended solutions for each error code or seek assistance from an HVAC professional if needed.