Air Conditioner "click"

Compressor motor is slow starting so motor winding overheat CB is tripping out/reseting.

Almost always happens with non-use for long periods or short-cycling, turning off/on quickly, trying to restart the motor with refrigerant head pressure already elevated.

To follow up on original post, tried A/C this week. No click on Fan setting. In fact, A/C worked well. Nor did it click on Auto setting. Maybe a little exercise was all it needed. Thanks for the help. If it acts up again, I'll screw up my courage and check the capacitor housing.

OP here. Camper is 200 miles away. Will try the above and report back toward the middle of May. Thanks.

donn0128 wrote:
Go up on the roof, take the four screws holding the shroud in place off, lift the shroud off and have a look.

Yes, sounds like you have a corroded/burnt wire arcing in the capacitor housing. Especially if 20 years old. Also, start the AC on FAN only and see if you have the same click. If no click, that rules out debris and points to the Compressor wiring/capacitors having a problem. Disconnect 120 power when accessing the capacitor housing. That is a metal box with some hot wires and may give you a jolt if indeed melted/shorted. Doug

Click of a relay would be normal.

A twig could have entered as donn0128 suggests. Sucked into a fan. Unplug, and blow out the condenser carefully with a hose aiming away from the electricals as much as possible. In dusty areas this can help lower temperatures in the rig.

Go up on the roof, take the four screws holding the shroud in place off, lift the shroud off and have a look.