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Rheem Central air conditioner won't turn off

If your Rheem central air conditioner won't turn off, a shorted contactor or a bad wall thermostat or thermostat wiring is the most likely cause, keeping a cooling signal on the yellow (Y) terminal even after the thermostat is set to Off. A shorted furnace control board or main control board can cause the same problem, though it is a less common cause, by continuing to send voltage to the outdoor condensing unit and making the air conditioner run constantly. A shorted board can continuously send voltage to the outdoor condensing unit, leaving the air conditioner running constantly even when the thermostat is set to Off. The furnace main control board can cause the same problem. Next, check the wall thermostat or thermostat wiring. A stuck contact between the common, or "C," and yellow, or "Y," thermostat wire terminals can keep the contactor energized and cause your central air to stay on. A shorted contactor in the condensing unit is less common but can also make the AC stuck on. Testing thermostat continuity with a multimeter may help identify a failed thermostat, but shut off power first. The control board, contactor, disconnect box, and other outdoor components involve line voltage, so have a licensed HVAC technician handle testing or repairs beyond basic inspection. Refrigerant work is not indicated for this symptom, but any sealed-system repair requires EPA 608 certification. Enter your Rheem model number to find the exact replacement control board, thermostat, or contactor for your central air conditioner.

01 - Rheem Central Air Conditioner Control Board

If the furnace control board has a short, it may be providing continuous voltage to the central air condensing unit preventing it from turning off. Inspect the control board for any damage and replace if necessary.
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Common

02 - Rheem Central Air Conditioner Main Control Board

If the furnace's main control board has a short, it may be providing continuous voltage to the central air condensing unit preventing it from turning off. Inspect the control board for any damage and replace if necessary.
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Common

03 - Rheem Central Air Conditioner Wall Thermostat

The wall thermostat has electrical contacts that send signal voltage back to the control board and the condensing unit's contactor to run the central air system. If the contact that controls the contactor sticks closed, it will send continuous voltage to the contactor, causing the central air system to run continuously. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multi-meter to test it for continuity. If the wall thermostat shows continuity between the common (“C”) and yellow (“Y”) thermostat wire terminals when the thermostat is in the off position, the thermostat has failed and will need to be replaced.
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Common

04 - Rheem Central Air Conditioner Wifi Thermostat

The WiFi thermostat has electrical contacts that send signal voltage back to the control board and the condensing unit's contactor to run the central air system. If the contact that controls the contactor sticks closed, it will send continuous voltage to the contactor, causing the central air system to run continuously. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multi-meter to test it for continuity. If the WiFi thermostat shows continuity between the common (“C”) and yellow (“Y”) thermostat wire terminals when the thermostat is in the off position, the thermostat has failed and will need to be replaced.
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Common

05 - Rheem Central Air Conditioner Contactor

The furnace control board sends a low voltage signal to the contactor. When the contactor receives the signal from the control board, it closes the circuit, sending voltage to the condensing unit components. If the contactor has shorted, it can send continuous voltage to the condensing unit's components resulting in the central air system not turning off. To determine if the contactor is at fault, use a multimeter to test the contactor for a short. If the contactor has shorted, replace it.
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Less Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Rheem central air conditioner turn off?
How can I tell if the thermostat is causing my central air conditioner to run constantly?
Can a bad contactor make my AC unit run continuously?
Could the Rheem control board be keeping my air conditioner from turning off?
How do I find the correct Rheem replacement part for my AC problem?

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