About Air Compressors.com

More than 16 years on line helping folks with their air compressor problems!

You are here: Home / Compressor won’t start – heard a spark…that was it!

Compressor won’t start – heard a spark…that was it!

I tried to plug it in when the on switch was turned. I heard a spark and that was it. No nothing. It’s a 26 gal. Kobalt.
_____________________

Thanks for writing in. A model number for the Kobalt would sure help, as would a picture or two.

It’s pretty hard to diagnose the problem with the info provided.

The spark you “heard”, was it from the pressure switch, the motor, what exactly?

Did your breaker pop or fuse blow for the circuit when the spark occurred?

It would certainly seem from the info provided that it’s an electrical problem, yet you need to provide quite a bit more information to help try to figure out what’s what.

___________________________

Weak wiring
by: MEP1

Your problem could also be a weak wiring issue.

You may have a bad connection, a failing outlet, too long an extension cord, really any number of things could cause the same symptoms.

The easiest way to tell if it’s the wiring is to plug in an incandescent bulb as close to the compressor as you can, on the same circuit and extension cord if possible.

If it dims way out when it’s trying to start with pressure, or if it dims a lot before it shuts down at full pressure, it’s an electrical supply problem.

If you hear the ‘whoosh’ of air when it builds pressure and shuts down normally, the unloader is working properly.


Now that’s an excellent tip!

Bill

Use a trouble lamp in the same circuit to get a visual on how much power is being drawn as the compressor starts.


New comment? New question? Please add it here along with photos to help others help you with your compressor and equipment problem!

Subscribe to this page / comment / post
Notify of
guest
guest
2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
rudy
rudy
January 28, 2021 1:50 pm

HI Bill, I have a costco version snapon air compressor. Heard a popping sound and smoke from the motor before it completely stopped working. Took some covers off and around the motor windings, seems like an electrical wire burnt through. Not worth fixing?

de.jpg
Reply
View Replies (1)

Search here to find the specific compressor info you need!

The latest pages added to this site include…

  • The Porter Cable compressor tank is full, but I can’t get air to come out? – December 2020
  • The compressor appears to compress the air but there no air at the hose on a 921.166460 – December 2020
  • Bambi 75/250 won’t build air after being on its side – November 2020

Getting around this site…

  • About Air Compressors
  • Sitemap – About-Air-Compressors.com
  • About Different Brands of Air Compressors
  • Calculating CFM
  • Identifying An Older Air Compressor
  • Jim Graham

Troubleshooting a compressor. Issues common to all and by the compressor make.

  • Troubleshooting Your Compressor
  • Compressed Air How To
  • Picking A Compressor
  • Air Compressor Parts
  • What Is My Compressor Worth

To help you understand compressors!

  • Compressed Air Treatment
  • General Compressed Air Information

Disclosures etc.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer & Copyright Policy
  • Contact About-Air-Compressors.com
Want to bragg about your gorgeous computer rebuild? We'd welcome it here!"

RSS feed information.

If you wish to be updated when new comments are posted, add: about-air-compressors.com/comments/feed/ to your RSS reader. Thanks.

© 2021 · about-air-compressors.com ·

wpDiscuz