Just a simple way to verify if a capacitor is good or not using a multi meter set on Ohms. You can reverse the red and black as well, but the ohms will show as negative (-) Thanks for watching!

When my air conditioner broke, I watched a few YouTube videos and eventually figured out that the capacitor was the problem.  I saw this method explained by several other YouTube users and it seemed to work for me as well.  A lot of comments on my YouTube Channel have stated that this method isn’t the ‘correct’ way to test a capacitor, but I have since learned the reason this method works:

“A capacitor only passes AC and so will normally show an infinite resistance at DC. The technique shown in this video works because the initial application of the ohm meter hits the capacitor with a current transient (i.e., AC). The capacitor provides a relatively low resistance to this pulse of AC current, which is why the meter reading fluctuates before settling to the “infinite” resistance reading.” -YouTube User DGK284

This test is really just a continuity test.  Sometimes a capacitor’s top will dome outward like a can of soda that is about to explode.  Usually that is a sign that it is bad.  Another time, I found one that wasn’t fastened correctly with the metal strap, and the vibrations of the Air Conditioning unit outside had caused the capacitor to rub causing a hole in the body of the capacitor.

This may not be the ‘correct’ way to test a capacitor, but I have already fixed a few other Air Conditioning units using this same testing method to verify that the capacitor was bad.  Replacing the capacitor is easy, and I have another video on YouTube showing how I replaced one.

Just make sure when you do replace the capacitor that you verify the correct Voltage and Microfarad rating.

In some areas, they only sell these capacitors to licensed HVAC technicians, so you may have to buy one online.  I have purchased several from Amazon.
Here are a few examples on Amazon: