This handy Carrier air conditioner repair guide will teach you about error codes, troubleshooting, common issues, replacing your air filter, and more.
Please note, the following is for informational purposes only. Any servicing you attempt is at your own risk.
Carrier At a Glance
Carrier has been in the HVAC business since 1902, and they’re credited with designing the first modern air conditioner. They are one of the most well-recognized brands in Canada’s HVAC industry, and they’ve been making reliable cooling and heating systems for over a century.
If you do own a Carrier air conditioner, then it’s important to know the potential maintenance and repair issues you might encounter so you can fix them or call a licensed technician to address the problem. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to keep your cooling system in tip-top shape.
How to Replace Your Carrier Air Filter
Air conditioner air filters make sure the air that gets circulated your home is clean and free of allergens and pollutants. It’s important to change the filter every one to three months to guarantee proper air quality, but also to keep your unit working efficiently, extend its longevity, and avoid potential repair problems. To change the filter, you have to:
- Shut off the unit to protect yourself from shocks and dust
- Find the air filter (usually in the return air duct or on the indoor unit)
- Remove the access panel if necessary
- Slide out the old filter and replace it with a new one
- Use the arrows on the new filter to get the alignment right
- Replace the access panel if necessary
- Turn the unit back on
What’s Wrong With Your Carrier Air Conditioner?
Common Air Conditioner Problems and Troubleshooting
To give you a better idea of what some of those error codes mean, now we’re going to discuss the most common air conditioner problems and possible troubleshooting steps you can take to repair some of them on your own. Note that not all of these can be solved DIY, and some will require a professional technician for diagnosis and repair.
Remember to turn your a/c completely off before opening it up to look around or attempt any fix.
Diminished airflow?
A dirty or clogged air filter most often causes this, and all you have to do to improve airflow is replace the filter. Other signs that the filter’s dirty include the unit starts to freeze, or it starts to circulate bad smells throughout your house.
Temperature fluctuations?
If your unit starts having trouble maintaining the right temperature, it might be because there’s a refrigerant leak. Indications of a leak also include a bubbling or hissing noise, ice on the refrigerant line, or the unit blowing hot air.
Leaks?
When there’s a clog in the drainage line, this can cause the drain pan to fill up, overflow, and leak, which can cause further damage to the unit. Professional cleaning of the drain line will be required.
Compressor malfunction?
Lots of things can create problems for the compressor, including too much or too little refrigerant, motor malfunctions, defective capacitors, worn contactors, and more.
Low cooling output?
This can be caused by something as simple as a thermostat setting, so make sure the thermostat is set to the right temperature for your comfort. You can also clean the thermostat, and make sure it’s not being impacted by heat or cold. However, other possible causes include improper refrigerant levels, moisture in the cooling system, and that the unit isn’t sized correctly for your needs.
Carrier Air Conditioner Error Codes
Note that these error codes may or may not be accurate or apply to your system. Each manufacturer has a range of different sensor and error codes used for different model lines and these may differ from one model series, production run, region, and may have been updated at any time. This not a comprehensive list and these are for informational purposes only. Any use of them is at your own risk.
Error Codes
| Amber LED Flash Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ON Solid, No Flash | Standby |
| 1, pause | Low Stage Cool/Heat Operation or Variable Capacity/Emergency Mode |
| 1 (2 Sec ON), Longer Pause (1 Sec OFF) | Variable Speed Range Cutback |
| 2, pause | High Stage Cool/Heat Operation |
| 5, pause | Brown out protection is Disabled |
| 6, Pause | Brown out protection is Active |
| 16 | Communication Loss |
| 25 | Invalid Model Plug |
| 31 | High Pressure Switch Open |
| 32 | Low Pressure Trip |
| 45 | Compressor Winding Fault or Outdoor unit control board has failed |
| 46 | Brownout Event |
| 47 | There is no 230v at the contactor when indoor unit is powered and cooling/ heating demand exists. |
| 48 | Lost Inverter Communications |
| 49 | 230 VAC Dropout-Reset Event |
| 53 | Outdoor Air Temp Sensor Fault |
| 54 | Suction Temp Sensor Fault |
| 55 | Coil Temp Sensor Fault |
| 56 | OAT-OCT Thermistor Out of Range or Improper relationship between coil sensor and outdoor air sensor |
| 57 | Suction Pressure Sensor Fault |
| 58 | Lost Inverter Communications Event |
| 59 | Compressor Scroll Temp Out of Range Event |
| 62 | Compressor No Start |
| 68 | Compressor Sump Heater Active |
| 69 | Inverter Internal Fault |
| 71 | Compressor Motor Temp Out of Range Event or Low Stage Thermal Cutout |
| 72 | Suction Over Temp Event or High Stage Thermal Cutout |
| 73 | Compressor voltage sensed when no demand for compressor operation exists |
| 74 | Compressor voltage not sensed when compressor should be starting |
| 75 | Inverter Temp Out of Range Event |
| 77 | Inverter Over Current Event |
| 79 | Compressor No-Pump Event |
| 81 | Thermal cutout occurs in three consecutive low/high stage cycles |
| 82 | Suction over Temp Lockout or Thermal cutout occurs in three consecutive high/low stage cycles |
| 83 | Low Pressure Lockout for 4 hours |
| 84 | High Pressure Lockout for 4 hours |
| 85 | Compressor Temp Lockout |
| 86 | Inverter Cable Fault |
| 88 | Inverter Temp Lockout |
| 91 | Inverter VDC-Out Over Voltage Event |
| 92 | Inverter VDC-Out Under Voltage Event |
| 93 | 230 VAC Under Voltage Event |
| 94 | 230 VAC Over Voltage Event |
| 95 | High Current Lockout |
| 96 | VDC Under Voltage Lockout |
| 97 | VDC Over Voltage Lockout |
| 98 | High Torque Event |
| 99 | High Torque Lockout |
| - - | OFF |
When to Get a Technician for Carrier A/C Repairs
We’ve talked about the most common problems people experience with their air conditioners and the error codes you might see, but you’re probably still wondering which of these issues you can tackle on your own and which ones require a licensed technician. If you encounter any of the following problems, then shut off your air conditioner and call an HVAC technician:
- The unit stops working
- The unit works erratically
- A refrigerant leak
- The power cord is getting hot
- Compressor or coil malfunctions
- Burning smells
- Lack of cooling power that isn’t related to the thermostat
- Leaks
- Wiring and electrical issues
- Damaged power cord
- Frequent circuit breaker trips or fuse blows
- Strange or loud sounds
Who to Call For Carrier Air Conditioner Repairs
Now that you know the potential problems you might encounter with your air conditioner and which ones require professional attention, it’s time to talk about how to find a trustworthy HVAC technician when you need one. Some of the things to look for include insurance and licensing, a good track record and reputation, experience in the field, training for staff, and that the company provides transparent quotes.
To help you find the right company, we’ve created an independent HVAC contractor certification program you can use to find a technician that meets these criteria and more.
Carrier’s Warranty Coverage
Air conditioner warranties can save you plenty of money on repair costs, especially if something goes wrong with a major component like the compressor. All Carrier air conditioners are backed by an excellent warranty that includes a 10-year parts warranty and a 10-year compressor warranty. To be eligible for these terms, you must register your unit within 90 days of installation. Otherwise, the warranties drop to five years.
Protect your Carrier air conditioner: Register and access your Carrier A/C warranty here
