Motor starts, but compressor wont run

by Dan
(San Diego)

The motor on my compressor starts up and everything runs fine for about 5 seconds and then the motor continues to run and the compressor slows down to a stop. The belt squeels until I cut the power at the preasure switch. I can then turn the preasure switch back on and the same thing happens again. After a few times and the compressor warms up, it will start to run fine. Until it gets cold again, and then the same thing happens all over. HELP!!!

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Bill says...

Hmmm, Dan. That's an odd one.

The first thing I'd do, after unplugging the compressor and draining any air from the tank, would be to remove and check the one-way (check valve) that prevents the air from getting back out of the tank up to the compressor head.

Have a look at that and make sure it's working, will you? The line that foes from the compressor head into the tank is where it's located, usually right where the line enters the tank.

Cheers,

Bill