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HomeRepair HelpKenmore Central A/C RepairKenmore Central air conditioner won't turn off Repair

Kenmore Central air conditioner won't turn off

When your Kenmore 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 control board or main control board can keep sending voltage to the outdoor condensing unit, causing the air conditioner to run constantly even when the thermostat is set to off. Next, check the wall thermostat or thermostat wiring. Stuck electrical contacts between the common (C) and yellow (Y) thermostat wire terminals can continuously signal the contactor to run the system. If the thermostat shows continuity between C and Y while switched off, replace it. A shorted contactor is less common but can also keep the condensing unit energized after the control signal stops. Turn off power at the disconnect box and circuit breaker before inspecting components, and do not test or replace the contactor or other 240V parts unless you are qualified to work safely with line voltage. Refrigerant work is not involved in these tests, but any repair inside the sealed system requires an EPA 608-certified technician. Enter your Kenmore central air conditioner model number to find the exact replacement control board, thermostat, or contactor for your system.

01 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 Kenmore central air conditioner turn off?
How do I test a thermostat that is not turning off the AC?
Can a bad AC contactor cause the central air to run constantly?
How do I know if the control board is causing my central air conditioner not to shut off?
How do I find the correct Kenmore central air conditioner replacement part?

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