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Old 02-21-2020, 07:20 PM   #1
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State: California
Posts: 134
THOR #14070
Air Conditioners on the Fritz - A/C HELP!

Hello, all. Coach is a 2019 Thor ACE 30.2 with dual A/C units (Coleman Mach 3, I believe). Some time ago the front A/C unit stopped getting cold while in Cool mode and did nothing in Fan mode except the familiar buzz of a motor trying to spin but can't. The rear unit worked fine.

I've made an appointment to bring it in for warranty work. While double checking that I had described the issue to them correctly, I switched on the front unit. I guess I left the switch in Fan mode for a half second too long, which produced a SNAP sound inside somewhere. Now the front unit doesn't buzz in Fan mode or blow any air in Cool mode, and the rear unit doesn't turn on at all either.

Inside...
  • All fuses are good
  • All breakers are set
  • All other 110V outlets are functional
  • All other 110V appliances are functional
  • I can still hear what sounds like a 12V relay releasing when I move the mode off Cool on both units.

Any thoughts as to where I should check next?

I'm comfortable with 110V, and can check the compressor and capacitors; should I start there? It just sounds to me like a power supply issue, like a failed breaker - but two? No way. Is there another set somewhere other than under the bed? Thoughts? Thanks!

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Old 02-21-2020, 07:33 PM   #2
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Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
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THOR #13932
I would be wholly surprised if upon taking the cover off of the ac unit, you don't immediately see the problem of a loose wire, a slightly burned spot or a breaker of some sort in line.

Just conjecture.
Go on the roof and take off the cover.
While there see if you have 110v up there when the thermostat is set to come on.

But:
If you work on it does it void the warranty at Thor and Coleman?
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Old 02-21-2020, 07:48 PM   #3
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Exclamation

Pretty much the same thing happened on my home A/C. Same symptoms, including the "snap". Blown capacitor. If that is the problem, the solution is cheap. $16 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Fan-Capacitor...38510615&psc=1
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Old 02-21-2020, 07:50 PM   #4
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I would check power to coach voltage 1st . Long shot but low voltage to ac has killed many a unit.
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Old 02-21-2020, 09:35 PM   #5
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The rear Coleman A/C unit on my 2017 Challenger started making a lot of noise recently, and eventually stopped working altogether. Took it into Camping World and they told it was toast. Currently awaiting a replacement unit. It will be a covered repair under my Extended Warranty with a $100 deductible.
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Old 02-21-2020, 10:42 PM   #6
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Use a volt meter. Check shore power voltage. Check circuit breaker main voltage. Turn OFF all breakers the turn back ON. Turn on the t-stat. Check the voltage at the unit on the roof.

Do it in the order stated above.
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Old 02-21-2020, 11:29 PM   #7
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THOR #14070
Air Conditioners on the Fritz - A/C HELP!

So here’s what I checked on both units...

• Thermal switch on compressor
• Compressor
• Start capacitor
• Fan capacitor

All of the above checked out okay. I didn’t want to get deeper into the units. I buttoned them back up, tested, and now the pair are back to “partially broken” status. That is, the rear is working perfectly and the front blows non-cooled air on Cool and buzzes on Fan. Damn Gremlins.
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Old 02-25-2020, 05:33 AM   #8
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Whelp... it’s in the hands of a dealer service dept now. When I dropped it off, they said they would most likely replace the unit. [emoji2371] There’s my $500 deductible.

At least resetting my jacks got them working right.
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:07 PM   #9
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buzzing of fan means bad fan motor or capacitor. Did you try fan only mode?
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Old 02-29-2020, 11:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie View Post
buzzing of fan means bad fan motor or capacitor. Did you try fan only mode?
Wow. Got it all squared away. Thanks.

So as it turns out, apparently the there were wires that were swapped at the thermostat (red and yellow). I suppose the previous owner was in there messin' around without a lot of how to knowledge. I forgot Rule #3: never trust the previous guy's work.
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