Every fault below comes from real call-outs across Durban and surrounding areas. Some have a quick check you can try yourself before booking anyone — where that's true, we say so. When a visit is needed, the diagnosis is done with a signal meter, quoted before work starts, and covered by our 12-month workmanship warranty. New to this part? Start with the capacitor & contactor component guide.
1. Aircon hums but the outdoor unit will not start
What you'll see: A hum or buzz from the outdoor unit with no fan or compressor rotation, often cutting out after a few seconds and trying again.
Why it happens: A degraded run or start capacitor is by far the most likely cause. They lose capacitance with heat cycling, and a capacitor at a third of its rated value cannot start the motor it serves.
How we fix it: We measure the capacitor against its rated microfarad value with a meter, which is a definitive test taking minutes. Where it has failed we replace it on the spot and the unit is usually back in service on the same visit.
Full aircon hums but the outdoor unit will not start troubleshooting guide →
2. Outdoor unit runs constantly or will not switch off
What you'll see: The outdoor unit keeps running even when the indoor unit is off or has reached temperature, sometimes with a noticeable rise in the electricity bill.
Why it happens: A contactor whose contacts have welded closed, so mains power continues to reach the outdoor unit regardless of what the control board is asking for. Years of arcing on each switching cycle cause it.
How we fix it: We isolate the supply, inspect the contactor for pitting and welding, and replace it. It is an inexpensive part, and leaving it in place means a compressor running far more hours than it should.
Full outdoor unit runs constantly or will not switch off troubleshooting guide →
Symptom doesn't match any of these?
Faults overlap — a "capacitor & contactor problem" is sometimes another link in the chain wearing a disguise. Describe what your system is doing on 069 507 6822 (or WhatsApp a photo of the error screen) and we'll tell you which component it actually sounds like, free, before anything is booked.