Replaced my AC capacitor for $15

My 30-year-old AC started doing this annoying thing where it would click on like it was about to start… but then no fan, no compressor, nothing.

I found a YouTube video with my exact model and a guy describing the same symptoms. Turned out it was the capacitor. I picked up a replacement locally for $15, swapped it in, and the whole unit fired right up.

Huge win.

Safety note: Before touching anything, discharge the capacitor—even with the power off, it can still hold a charge. The common DIY method is to turn off the disconnect/breaker, then use an insulated screwdriver to briefly bridge the capacitor terminals (and to the metal case/ground if applicable) to bleed off any stored energy.