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Payne Central air conditioner won't turn off

If your Payne 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. If both boards appear undamaged, check the wall thermostat or thermostat wiring. Stuck contacts between the common (C) and yellow (Y) thermostat wire terminals can continue signaling the contactor even when the thermostat is set to Off. A shorted contactor is less common but can keep supplying power to the condenser components. Testing thermostat continuity with a multimeter is within many DIYers' abilities, but disconnect power first. The contactor and condensing unit involve hazardous 240-volt line voltage, so have a qualified HVAC technician handle testing or replacement unless you are trained to work safely with it. No refrigerant work is required for this diagnosis. Enter your Payne central air conditioner model number to find the exact replacement control board, thermostat, or contactor for your system.

01 - Payne 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 - Payne 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 - Payne 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 - Payne 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 - Payne 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 Payne central air conditioner turn off?

How do I test a Payne thermostat when the AC won't shut off?

Could a bad contactor cause my central air to keep running?

Should I replace the Payne control board if the AC keeps running?

How do I find the correct replacement part for my Payne central air conditioner?

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