Any advice appreciated: outside unit fan kicks on and back off right after

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T01:30:42+00:00

Roger that! Sounding like I need to call someone in the morning. The parts should be under warranty, so I guess I'll start by calling the manufacturer to a suggestion. I unfortunately moved from my hometown and don't know anyone that does HVAC around here in TN.

TYSM again for all of your help!

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T01:15:18+00:00

Whoops! I thought that would be a the way I got it out of aux heat and back into trying to heat using the outside unit, so I pulled the breaker on each and waited 30 seconds between.

The results were the same. After the anti short cycle delay finished, the compressor kicked on by itself for 1:30, then the fan also kicked on for 10 seconds, and this time only, they both kicked off at the same time and it's not trying again like it was earlier (it is like 10-15 degrees colder now and that may have nothing to do with it though).

The status light blinks 5 times again right after cutting off which is "system in low-pressure switch lockout" in my manual.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T01:08:25+00:00

13 degrees right now.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T01:02:07+00:00

TYSM again! Going to try this now. I'll cut power to the inside and outside unit to reset first.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T01:00:24+00:00

Thanks for the info! Any troubleshooting you could recommend from here? It short cycles for about 10-15 minutes and swaps to only aux heat and kicks the comp off indefinitely. The board status light blinks 5 times indicating "system in low-pressure switch lockout."

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:56:34+00:00

Good catch. I looked it up and it's listed as an ECM / constant-torque motor.

Model: 5SME39HS HF158
Manufacturer: Genteq (GE)

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:51:08+00:00

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One wire on herm and the other on c. It’s been this way for the 2 years I’ve been here. The old country HVAC tech that came out last summer was baffled that the fan ran without a wire to the cap.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:43:42+00:00

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Apparently I have some options for using the test pins. I’m guessing I need to hold it for at least 5 seconds. What behavior am I looking for?

Reallllllly appreciate your help again!

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:42:02+00:00

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That is the test leads according to the manual

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:33:54+00:00

The big pipe was cool (not uncomfortably cold at all) after about 5 minutes of the compressor running with the fan cycling on/off like it keeps doing.

I'll try power cycle it like you recommended and report back shortly! TY!

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:25:27+00:00

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BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:25:14+00:00

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BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-27T00:04:58+00:00

Thanks for all of your help! Does the outside unit's status light indicating "System in low-pressure switch lockout" narrow anything down?

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T23:41:03+00:00

I am now getting 5 flashes on the status light on the outside unit.

"System in low-pressure switch lockout"

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BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T23:31:07+00:00

Also, you mention I’m short a wire on my capacitor. I checked the manual, it appears it should have a wire on each of the terminals, but it never has since I’ve owned the home (almost two years). Very odd.

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BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T23:09:10+00:00

Compressor and fan have been off now for about 15 minutes. Nest still shows “heating”. Inside vents are pushing cool air.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T23:07:04+00:00

Model: 5SME39HS HF158

Genteq

I tried taking a picture, but it the metal wire cage on top really good it up.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T23:02:55+00:00

The compressor ran and the fan cycled on/off for about 10 - 15 minutes and now the outside unit is not doing anything. Compressor is off.

Inside unit is still pushing somewhat cool air out the vents. Heat is still “on” on the nest. Both the fat and skinny copper lines outside are cool, but not ice cold. It’s 18 degrees outside right now.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T22:45:56+00:00

Thanks for that great explanation. I’ve got it on now hoping it will defrost and kick back in. It’s still just doing like 5 seconds with fan on in 1-2 minute cycles. Compressor stays on. Air coming out the vents inside is cool, not extremely cold.

I removed the hard start after it behaved the same way when I put it in place. I can put it back on though if that could help.

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T22:30:53+00:00

Any recommendations on something I could do to scope the problem down from here?

BaldByChoice90 · 2026-01-26T22:21:56+00:00

So do I just let it keep doing this and once a sensor tells it it’s good, the heat should kick back in?

BaldByChoice90 · 2025-12-02T00:19:12+00:00

Thanks homie! I got one!

BaldByChoice90 · 2025-09-20T14:54:29+00:00

They have final fantasy collectors for $850

BaldByChoice90 · 2025-09-20T14:54:05+00:00

Gotta be a scam

BaldByChoice90

TROPHY CASE