Dealing with a Pitted Contactor in Your HVAC Unit

If your air conditioner is making a weird buzzing noise or simply refusing to start, there's a good chance you're looking at a pitted contactor inside the outdoor condenser unit. It's one of those small, relatively cheap parts that can cause a massive headache if it decides to act up on a triple-digit afternoon. While it might sound like some complex mechanical failure, it's actually a pretty common electrical issue that most homeowners will run into eventually if they stay in their house long enough. ...

February 24, 2026 · 6 min · Palle Lapin