Goodman Central air conditioner is frequently cycling/short cycling
When your Goodman central air conditioner turns on and off repeatedly, it is short cycling, which can increase wear and leave your home uncomfortable. The most likely cause is a clogged air filter restricting airflow through the furnace or air handler. Check and replace the filter at least twice a year, or more often with pets, dust, or construction nearby. Next, inspect the condenser coils for dirt and debris. Dirty coils cannot release heat efficiently, which may overheat the compressor and cause central air short cycling. A failing wall thermostat is another possible cause, followed by a defective wall thermostat; either can send intermittent power to the furnace, air handler, or condensing unit. A faulty control board is less common but may also interrupt cooling operation. Replacing an air filter and cleaning accessible condenser coils according to the owner's manual are reasonable DIY steps. Thermostat, control board, 240-volt electrical, compressor, or refrigerant-system repairs should be handled by a qualified technician, and any refrigerant work requires EPA 608 certification. Enter your Goodman model number to find the exact replacement part for your specific central air conditioner.
01 - Goodman Central Air Conditioner Air Filter
Check and replace the air filter at least twice a year, more often in dusty/dirty environments or if there is a pet in the home. A clogged air filter will greatly reduce the air flow of the furnace or air handler which can result in the unit short cycling when trying to cool the home.
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
The condenser coils dissipate the heat as the refrigerant passes through the coils. If the condenser coils are dirty, they won’t be able to dissipate the heat as effectively. As debris builds up on the coils, the heat pump will become less efficient, causing the unit to work harder to cool down. If the coils are significantly dirty, the heat pump will not be able to remove the heat from the outdoor coil, resulting in the compressor overheating and short cycling. Check the condenser coils to determine if they are dirty. Refer to owner's manual for cleaning instructions.
Common
03 - Goodman Central Air Conditioner Wall Thermostat
The wall thermostat has electrical contacts that control the power supply to the furnace, air handler and condensing unit. If the contacts in the thermostat fail, the cooling system may turn on intermittently. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the wall thermostat does not show proper continuity, replace it.
04 - Goodman Central Air Conditioner Wifi Thermostat
The WiFi thermostat has electrical contacts that control the power supply to the furnace, air handler and condensing unit. If the contacts in the thermostat fail, the cooling system may run intermittently. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the WiFi thermostat does not show proper continuity, replace it.
If the air filter is clogged, air cannot flow properly through the home's venting system. This greatly reduces the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. In addition, if the air filter is clogged, the evaporator coils will frost over and not be able to remove moisture from the air. The air filter should be checked and replaced at least twice a year, more often in dusty/dirty environments. Refer to owner's manual for guidance.
Less Common
06 - Goodman Central Air Conditioner Control Board
The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the furnace or air handler. If the control board fails, it might not send voltage to parts of the cooling system, causing a loss of cooling and frequent cycling.