Kenmore 000/12 - BTU Multi-Room Heat/Cool Room Air Conditioner, 000/12 Troubleshooting Manual

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Table of contents

General Performance Problem

Doesn't Work

Turns On/Off Repeatedly

Never Shuts Off

Motor Runs/No Air Is Blowing

Cools But Doesn't Dehumidify

Remote Control Isn't Working

Consult your owner's manual for more product details. You can download your owner's manual here.

2

2

2

3

3

4

4

Cooling Problem

Cools Poorly

Icing on the Coils

Water Problem

Water Is Dripping

5

5

6

6

6

Noise Problem

Too Noisy

Odor Problem

Bad Smell

7

7

7

7

GENERAL PERFORMANCE PROBLEM

Click here for related products

>

and accessories.

DOESN'T WORK

Is the unit turned off?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the power supply
cord unplugged?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the household fuse
blown or circuit breaker

Press the power button to turn on the unit.

Firmly plug the cord into a grounded 3-prong outlet.

Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.

tripped?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Was there a power
outage or did you turn
the unit off?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Has the reset button on
the power cord or surge

Wait about 3 to 5 minutes and then restart, to prevent the
temperature overload protector from temporarily shutting off the
compressor.

Press the reset button. If it pops back up, turn off the unit and call
for service.

protector popped up?

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

.

.

TURNS ON/OFF
REPEATEDLY

Is air conditioner turning
on and off even though
room temperature is

Clean the condenser coil to enable air to flow through it. For
instructions on cleaning the coil, see your owner's manual.

You can download your owner's manual here.

warmer than the
temperature you set?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Was there a power
outage or did you turn

Wait about 3 to 5 minutes and then restart, to prevent the temperature

overload protector from temporarily shutting off the compressor.
the unit off?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Did you move the
temperature control to a
warmer setting then

Turn off the unit. Wait about 3 to 5 minutes and then restart, to

prevent the temperature overload protector from temporarily shutting

off the compressor.
immediately back to a
cooler setting?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is outside air

Set the fan speed to High to move more air across the coils.
temperature extremely
hot?

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

2

GENERAL PERFORMANCE PROBLEM

Click here for related products

>

and accessories.

NEVER SHUTS OFF

Is the outside
temperature extremely

The unit's cooling capacity might not be enough. Add another unit or

use a unit with greater capacity.
hot?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Are controls set as
recommended in the

Set the controls and then allow 10 minutes for the temperature to

stabilize. You can download your owner's manual here.
owner's manual?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is there a heat source
(such as a lamp or
television) in the room,
near the air conditioner?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the room size larger
than the cooling

Move the unit away from the heat source or remove the heat source.

The thermostat senses heat and signals the air conditioner to continue

operating even though the temperature in the room is below

thermostat settings.

Add another unit or use a unit with greater capacity. You can

download your owner's manual here.

capacity specified in the
owner's manual?

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

.

.

MOTOR RUNS/NO AIR
IS BLOWING

Is no air blowing in
either cooling or fan
mode?

Remove power to the unit and then remove the grill and the sleeve

behind it so you can check whether an object is blocking the fan.

Call for service if there is no obstruction or if you prefer not to

check the fan yourself.

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

3

GENERAL PERFORMANCE PROBLEM

Click here for related products

>

and accessories.

COOLS BUT DOESN'T
DEHUMIDIFY

Is the temperature set
as recommended in the

Set the temperature and then allow 10 minutes for the temperature

to stabilize. You can download your owner's manual here.
owner's manual?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the fan (mode)

Set the fan speed to medium or low.
setting correct?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the temperature set
to a cool setting and

Set the temperature to a lower setting. The unit must be cooling the

air to remove moisture.
has the room had time
to cool?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the room size larger
than the cooling

Add another unit or use a unit with greater capacity. You can

download your owner's manual here.

capacity specified in the
owner's manual?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is there a source of
excessive humidity in

Add a dehumidifier to remove humidity from cooking, appliances and

bathroom showers.
the room?

.

.

.

REMOTE CONTROL
ISN'T WORKING

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

Does the red light on
the remote control flash?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Are you outside the
remote control's
operating range?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the remote control
pointed at the unit?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the air conditioner
control panel in direct
sunlight?

Remove the plastic shipping strip from the batteries and install them

properly. Refer to the section on remote control operation in your

owner's manual. You can download your owner's manual here.

Move closer to the unit.

Point the remote at the air conditioner control panel.

Shade the control panel from direct sunlight while still permitting

infrared light from remote control to strike the surface of air

conditioner control panel.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

4

COOLING PROBLEM

Click here for related products

>

and accessories.

COOLS POORLY

Is the fan set at "fan

Change to a medium or high fan setting with cooling.
only" or a low fan
setting?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the temperature

Set the thermostat temperature lower than the room temperature.
setting higher than the
room temperature?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the air conditioner
in direct sunlight?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is there a heat source
in the room?

Move the air conditioner to a window that is shaded from direct

sunlight.

To minimize heat from direct sunlight through windows, use window

shades or drapes. Cook and use heat-producing appliances, light

bulbs, and electronics during cooler times of the day.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the room size larger
than the cooling
capacity specified in the

Add another unit or use a unit with greater capacity. You can

download your owner's manual here.

owner's manual?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Did you clean the unit,
including the air filter
and condenser coils,
before the start of the
season?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Are any doors and

Follow the cleaning instructions in your owner's manual. You can find

your owner's manual here.

A dirty air filter or condenser coil reduces cooling efficiency and

increases power consumption.

Close all doors and windows.
windows open?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Are curtains or
furniture blocking the

Move curtains and furniture away from the flow of air from the air

conditioner.
flow of air from the air
conditioner?

.

.

.

.

.

.

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

5

COOLING PROBLEM

Click here for related products

>

and accessories.

ICING ON THE COILS

Are the air filters clean?

Remove the filters and wash with warm water. Dirty filters reduce air

flow, which can cause icing on the evaporative coil on the room side

of the air conditioner.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is there frost or ice on

To defrost the coils set the mode to FAN and the fan speed to HIGH.
the coils?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the temperature
control set too low at

Adjust thermostat setting based on outdoor temperature. Raise the

setting if ice forms on indoor coils at night.
night?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the outside

To defrost the coils, run the fan only, on low fan speed.
temperature below
70°F (21°C)?

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

.

.

WATER PROBLEM

WATER IS DRIPPING

Is the drain hole

Remove the drain plug to allow water to drain to the outside.
plugged, and is water
dripping inside the room?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is the drain hole open,
and water is dripping

Adjust the unit so the front inside the room is a quarter inch higher

than the back outside the house.
inside the room?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is water dripping inside
the unit?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is water dripping
outside when cooling?

No action is needed. The water collects in the base pan and moves

out through the drain hole.

No action is needed. It is normal for the air conditioner to drip outside

as it removes humidity from inside the home.

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

6

NOISE PROBLEM

Click here for related products

>

and accessories.

TOO NOISY

Vibrating

Reinstall the unit as recommended in the owner's manual. You can

download your owner's manual here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pinging

No action is required. This sound is normal and is the result of water

droplets falling from the evaporative coil and then striking the fan.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beeping when you set
the control settings

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hissing or gurgling

No action is required. This sound is normal and signals that the

settings have changed.

No action is required. This sound is normal and happens when the

pressure of the refrigerant in the sealed system equalizes.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Humming

No action is required. This sound is normal and is the compressor

cycling on and off.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Louder operating sound
when you turn on the unit.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Loud all the time

No action is required. This sound is normal and is the compressor

starting up.

Reinstall the unit as recommended in the owner's manual. Install the

unit in a window with open space on both sides, because a unit

enclosed by walls that reflect sound is noisier. You can download your

owner's manual here.

.

.

.

.

.

ODOR PROBLEM

BAD SMELL

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

Is there a bad smell
when unit is not running?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Have you recently
cleaned unit, including
the air filter and the drip
pan, before the start of
the season?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your unit has a
heating function, does
the heater smell like
it’s burning?

Clean the air filter and the unit. Follow the cleaning instructions in your

owner's manual. You can download your owner's manual here.

Clean the filter twice a month and the unit itself every three months

during the operating season. Follow the cleaning instructions in your

owner's manual. You can donwload your owner's manual here.

Shut off unit and allow to cool. Then clean the heating element. If

odor persists, call for service.

Does this solve your problem? Yes! Problem solved.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

No. I need Service.

Click here to book an appointment

for service.

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

7