Air Compressor - Trouble Shooting

Ever wish you had someone you could turn to for help with "quick fixes" on your compressor? Ever want
to pick someone's brain about how to improve efficiency or air quality, or how to reduce maintenance
costs?

Now you can have all those things through our "Troubleshooting" page. Use the link list at right to access
online information about the best ways to solve compressed air system challenges.

If the section doesn't quite address the problem you're having, feel free to contact us.

Trouble Shooting: Possible Issues

Air Compressor Won't Start?

Probable Cause Display Reading What to Do

110/120V control None Check fuses. Check transformers and

voltage not available. wiring connections.

"STARTER FAULT" Inspect contactors.

"EMERGENCY STOP" Rotate emergency stop button to

disengage and press "SET" button twice.

"MAIN MTR OVER Manually reset main or fan motor

LD" or "FAN MTR overload relay and press "SET" button
OVERLOAD" twice.

"PRESS SENSOR Check for defective sensor, bad sensor

FAIL" or "TEMP connection or broken sensor wires.
SENSOR FAIL"

Air Compressor Shuts Down?

Probable Cause Display Reading What to Do

Note: If a shutdown occurs, "HIGH AIREND Insure that installation area

press the DISPLAY SELECT buttononce TEMP." has adequate ventilation.
to activate the display table. Using the
adjacent up and down arrows, the
Insure that cooling fan is
values
operating. If not, reset
displayed will be those immediately
circuit breaker inside
preceding shutdown.
starter box.

Use these values when trouble-

Check coolant level.
shooting a problem.
Add if required.

Cooler core may be dirty.

Clean coolers

"HIGH AIR PRESS." Check for restricted or

malfunctioning blowdown
valve or minimum pressure
 check valve.

"LOW SUMP PRESS." Check for air leak from

tank or blowdown piping.

Adjust sump pressure

"PRES SENSOR Check for defective sensor,

FAIL" or "TEMP bad sensor connection or
SENSOR FAIL" broken sensor wires.

"CK MOTOR Interchange any two line

ROTATION" connections at the starter.

"MAIN MTR Check for loose wires.

OVERLD"
Check supply voltage.

Check heater size.

"FAN MTR Check for loose wires.

OVERLOAD"
Check supply voltage.

Fan motor overload tripped.

Check for dirty cooler cores.

"STARTER FAULT" Inspect starter contactors.

Check for loose wires.

Low System Pressure?

Probable Cause What to Do

Compressor running in
Press "UNLOAD/LOAD" button.
"Unload" Mode.

Controller off-line set point Press "UNLOAD/STOP" button; set off-line

too low. set point at a higher value

Dirty air filter element. Check filter condition. Replace as required.

Air leak. Check air system piping.

Moisture separator trap drain

Inspect and repair.
stuck open.

Inspect and repair. Check control

Inlet valve not fully open.
system operation.

System demand exceeds

Install larger or an additional compressor.
compressor delivery.
High Coolant Volume?

Probable Cause What to Do

Check level; drain to lower

Excessive coolant level
if necessary.

Plugged separator element Check separator pressure drop.

Check separator pressure drop.

Separator element leak
If low, replace element.

Plugged separator scavenge

Remove and inspect orifice/screen.
orifice/screen

Operate at rated pressure.

Compressor operating at low
pressure (75 psig or below)
Reduce system load.

Coolant system leak Inspect and repair leaks.

Water Air System

Probable Cause What to Do

Defective moisture Inspect and clean if required. Replace

separator/drain trap. separator/trap if defective.

Trap drain or drain Inspect and clean.

piping plugged.

Aftercooler core dirty. Inspect and clean.

Enclosure panels not Install enclosure panels.

in place.

Drain line/drip leg Slope drain line away from trap.

incorrectly installed. Install drip leg.

No refrigerated or desiccant Contact Air Components & Systems for assistance

dryer in air system. in selecting an air dryer.

Air Compressor - Excessive Noise/Vibration

Probable Cause What to Do

Compressor defective. Contact Air Components & Systems immediately for

(Bearing failure or rotor contact). assistance - DO NOT OPERATE UNIT.

Enclosure panels not in place. Install enclosure panels.

Loose components or Inspect and tighten.

mounting brackets.

Motor or compressor Contact us immediately for

bearing failure. assistance - DO NOT OPERATE UNIT.

External sources. Inspect area for other equipment.