Islandaire PTAC Troubleshooting & Error Codes
Islandaire packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps offer reliable climate control with exceptional energy efficiency and minimal background noise. Although problems with these units are rare, it’s still important to identify and resolve them quickly. To help get your equipment back on track, this Islandaire PTAC troubleshooting and error codes guide will help you diagnose and resolve issues with ease.
This information applies to EZ series units with Intellitemp Logic Displays (ILD), such as EZAD, EZ42 and EZ16 machines.
Why Is My Islandaire PTAC Not Working?
If your machine won’t turn on, consider these possible causes:
- Unit isn’t turned on - Use the pushbutton to select the desired mode and power on the machine.
- Incorrect mode is selected - Choose “heat” mode for warmer temperatures and “cool” for lower temperatures.
- Machine has no power - Call a licensed electrician to solve the problem.
- Installation is incorrect - Contact a licensed technician to address the issue.
- Circuit breaker is off or tripped/fuse is blown - Turn the circuit breaker on. If issues persist, contact an authorized electrician for assistance.
Why Is My Islandaire PTAC Tripping Fuses/Circuit Breakers?
If your Islandaire PTAC is overloading the electrical circuit, here are some potential reasons why:
- Fuse or breaker setting is too low - Check the nameplate for the fuse size and replace it as required.
- Wiring is broken or loose - Inspect the wiring and replace any if needed.
- Voltage is low or nonexistent - Check the voltage with the unit running and make sure it’s within the correct specifications. If it isn’t, contact a licensed electrician to correct the problem.
- Compressor is slow or has stopped running - Measure the voltage with the unit running and ensure it’s within the machine’s specifications. If it’s not, call an authorized electrician to address the issue.
- Capacitor is shorted - Test and replace it if necessary.
- Compressor is short cycling - See the “What Could Be Causing the Compressor To Short Cycle?” section in this article for more information.
- Power to the unit was interrupted - Wait three minutes and then restart the machine.
Why Is My Islandaire PTAC Evaporator Coil Frosting Up?
If you notice your machine’s evaporator coil is freezing up, possible causes include:
- Air filter is dirty - Clean or replace the air filter.
- Evaporator is dirty or clogged - Clean the evaporator.
- Blower motor is operating intermittently, slowly or not at all - Check the rotation of the motor shaft, the voltage and the wiring. If it’s defective, replace it.
- Refrigerant charge is low - Contact an authorized technician to address the issue.
- Thermostat is faulty - Test and replace the thermostat if necessary.
What Should I Do If My Unit Rattles or Is Noisy?
For a machine that’s excessively noisy, be sure to check the following:
- Compressor is defective - Call a licensed technician to test the compressor and replace it if necessary.
- Refrigerant line is hitting something - Bend the tube slightly to gain clearance.
- Mounts for the fan, blower or motor are loose - Check each component and tighten if necessary.
- Fan or blower is rubbing on the housing - Seek out an authorized technician for further assistance.
Why Is My Islandaire Unit Not Heating Enough?
There are multiple reasons why your Islandaire PTAC isn’t producing enough heat, such as:
- Indoor room temperature is above the thermostat set point - Raise the thermostat setting.
- Thermostat is faulty - Test and replace the thermostat if needed.
- Circuit breaker or fuse is faulty - Check and replace it if needed.
- Switch is defective - Test and replace it if needed.
- Heater is defective - Inspect the heater and replace it if faulty.
- Automatic limit reset control will not reset - Check the high limit for the open circuit and replace if needed.
- Wiring is broken, shorted or loose - Inspect the wiring and replace it as needed.
- Fuse or circuit breaker is tripped - Reset the breaker and inspect the unit to find the cause of the trip.
- Air filter is dirty - Clean or replace the filter.
- Evaporator coil is dirty - Clean the coil.
- Blower motor isn’t operating properly - Check the motor shaft rotation and motor voltage, as well as motor capacitor functionality. Inspect for improper wiring, too. If needed, replace the motor.
Why Is My Islandaire PTAC Dripping Water?
Check for the following if you notice your Islandaire air conditioner or heat pump is leaking water:
- Sleeve isn’t pitched correctly - Inspect the sleeve to make sure it’s pitched properly and readjust it if necessary.
- Condensate drain is clogged - Remove the blockage from the drain tube.
- Evaporator drain pan is damaged or improperly mounted - Adjust or replace the pan as needed.
- Indoor or outdoor air is unusually humid - Know that condensation is normal when the air is extremely humid.
- Drain holes in the bottom edge of the base pan on the outdoor side are plugged (heat pumps only) - Clear the obstruction.
Why Is My Islandaire PTAC Unit Running Continuously?
If your Islandaire PTAC unit won’t stop running, possible causes include:
- Sleeve seals are worn or missing - Inspect and replace them as needed.
- Thermostat is defective - Test and replace it as required.
- Thermostat bulb isn’t properly located - Make sure the bulb is installed in the return air stream.
What Could Be Causing the Compressor To Short Cycle?
When your compressor is short cycling, consider these possible causes and solutions:
- Voltage is low - Measure the voltage while the machine is running and make sure it’s within the indicated limits on the nameplate. If it isn’t, reach out to a licensed electrician to solve the problem.
- Condenser air is restricted - Clean the coil.
- Condenser air is recycling - See if discharge air installation clearances are inadequate, the coil isn’t positioned against the grill and if the unit isn’t pushed into the sleeve fully, then make adjustments as needed.
- Condenser fan motor is operating intermittently or not at all - Review the motor shaft rotation and motor voltage, as well as motor capacitor operation. Check for improper wiring, too. If needed, replace the motor.
- Thermostat bulb or thermistor isn’t positioned correctly - Make sure the bulb is installed in the proper location.
- Compressor overload is faulty or incorrect - Check and replace it if needed.
- Indoor coil is frozen - See the “Why Is My Islandaire PTAC Evaporator Coil Frosting Up?” section in this article.
- Indoor air is recycling - Make sure that curtains or other obstructions aren’t short-circulating air between the outlet grill and return air intake.
- Compressor is running too slow and drawing high amps - Check the compressor and capacitor. If needed, replace the compressor.
What Could Keep the Compressor From Running At All?
If your Islandaire PTAC’s compressor isn’t running at all, here are some potential reasons why:
- Fuse or circuit breaker is tripped - Reset the breaker and find the cause of the trip.
- Switch is defective - Inspect and replace it as required.
- Thermostat is defective - Check and replace it if needed.
- Indoor temperature is below the thermostat set point - Lower the setting below the set point.
- Indoor temperature is below 65°F (18°C) - Know that the machine won’t cool if the indoor temperature is under 65°F (18°C).
- Outdoor temperature is below 35°F (-16°C) - Remember that the compressor doesn’t operate when outdoor temperatures are less than 35°F (-16°C).
Islandaire PTAC Error Codes
Use the following list of failure codes to help identify issues with your equipment:
E2
- Indoor temperature sensor has failed - Contact a licensed technician to address the issue.
E3
- Indoor coil temperature sensor is malfunctioning - Reach out to an authorized technician to correct the problem.
E5
- Outdoor coil temperature sensor is experiencing a fault - Schedule a service call with a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
E8
- Overheating protection/defrosting has failed - Seek help from an authorized technician to correct the fault.
E9
- High pressure protection is defective - Call a licensed technician to handle the matter.
Islandaire PTAC Troubleshooting & Error Codes FAQs
Why Won’t My Islandaire PTAC Unit Turn On?
If your machine won’t turn on, there might be an issue with the internal wiring or circuit breaker. The control panel may be defective as well. If selecting a different mode doesn’t help, contact an authorized technician for further assistance.
How Do I Reset my Islandaire PTAC unit?
Reset the machine by cutting the power at the breaker, waiting 5 minutes and then turning it back on again. If issues persist, reach out to a licensed technician to address the problem.
When Should I Call an Authorized Technician?
Seek help from an authorized technician for issues involving internal wiring, electrical components, refrigerant charge or other issues beyond simple troubleshooting.
How Can I Minimize Issues With My Machine?
You can decrease the chance of equipment issues with preventative maintenance and proper use. If you want to make sure you’re operating your unit as intended, see our Islandaire PTAC operating instructions guide for more information.
For information on cleaning, maintenance and more, check out our Islandaire manuals and diagrams.