Help Panasonic split aircon RE9PKR compressor not running on cool?

Anyone got one of these. It's about a year old. Seen a few open threads about the same issue on whirlpool, but no follow ups to see how they resolved it.

Was flashing timer light on/ off. But I couldnt get an error code from it (probably doing it wrong a the instructions are poorly written)

Turned it off/ on at the mains. Inside fan runs and just blows normal air. Outside fan spins for a few seconds then stops. Again, no compressor.

Flashing error no longer appears. Even though it isn't working properly?

Tried heating, and it works perfectly. 43C coming out.

Tried cooling again and it works. Down to 16C.

Turned it off with the remote. Back to the same problem, won't cool again etc.

Had a look inside compressor unit. PCB clean as a whistle (no mice / spiders), no swollen capacitors, connectors to solenoids look fine.

Do these units get iffy reverse valves?
Or any other ideas?

Update, Left it running while the fan runs but doesnt cool. Compressor fan spun once, then failed ..5 mins later it's started to spin up perfectly.

The guy who did the install is away this week, otherwise I'd have him on to it.

I know a little (not much) about how these run, so open to suggestions.

Cheers

Comments

  • +1

    The guy who did the install is away this week,

    so open to suggestions.

    Call him next week?

    /endthread

  • Getting to 40C around here and got an old fella who is just coming off chemo/ radiation therapy, so trying to get it sorted asap.

    Just worked out H97 error code. Anyone got a list of codes? Cheers

    • +2

      https://www.idealairconditioningservice.com.au/support/Panas…

      Code: H97 - Outdoor fan motor mechanism
      Symptom: locked 2 times occurance within 30 minutes
      Causes: • Indoor PCB • Fan motor

      Check nothing is jamming the outdoor fan. Look for weeds or anything.

      • Thanks mate. Strange code. Outdoor fan failure caused by fan motor or indoor PCB.
        Opened up everything outside. All looks fine, fan free spins beautifully. A bit of ash floating around from fires. Blew that out. Indoor unit filters still perfectly clean. Fired it up again and it seems to be running fine, see what happens. Old mate is off to sleep at least.

        *Edit - spoke to soon. It died again

        • +1

          Either the motor or the controller is borked. Call Panasonic themselves and ask for a tech.

  • Get on to Panasonic themselves, they can send out a serviceman. It doesnt sound like an install issue as its 12 months. (My memory says warranty is 5 years on Panasonic - we have one)

    Had issue with a fujitsu system after 1 month. That indicated it probably was an install issue, which it was, but Fujitsu mechanic, covered it under warranty.

    I think Panasonic is also one of the better companies, like Fujitsu, so you should get a quality response by calling them direct

    • Cheers, looked on the compressor and it is a 5/ 2015 build , so just within the 5 years. Hopefully.

  • Probably the compressor start capacitor. Had same issue with my AC. indoor blowing air but compressor failed to start.

    • Died completely or intermittent? If the capacitor went I thought it would never run. This got up an running for an hour, then stopped again. Something making it think the fan is not spinning (according to the H97 code it threw).

      Not sure how they detect the fan is spinning (air flow or magneto or similar).

    • Looked a bit more into this. Quite possibly a capacitor at the end of its life.

      Any ideas where they house the cap on the Panasonic units? On the PCB or under the insulation next to the compressor?
      * I know I need to discharge it before touching..ouch!

      • +1

        I wouldn't be opening up the unit to check stuff, you will start voiding your warranty.

        • +1

          Yeah, only had a look for chewed, burnt wires / components. Checked the fan free spun. I didn't realise it had 5yr warranty (4 months left) so called Panasonic and they are sorting it (if it is a manufacturing fault). Likely the indoor PCB board the tech said. I'll leave it in their hands and report back as it may help someone else in the future.

      • Turns out there are no start caps on modern inverter ACs, so we can rule that out. Cheers anyway.

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