Frozen System Turned Into a Zoning Nightmare…
5.7K views · May 20, 2026 · People & Blogs
Comments · 52
@JustinTimeHVAC · 4 months ago (edited) · pinned
After further research, I believe the M4 terminal on this setup is mainly for the green LED indication. The damper itself appears to remain spring open / powered closed even with the 3-wire configuration.<br><br>Thought this was just a frozen system call… then the zoning nightmare started 😅 Multiple issues kept showing up one after another.<br><br>Faced some adversity on this one too… heat, an attic obstacle course, and a head-scratching issue that completely changed the diagnosis.<br><br>Part 2 coming soon.
5
@sjd3021 · 4 months ago
gotta love those customers who dont put their dog away and doesnt clean the access to the unit
9
@cryptogeek3559 · 4 months ago
LOL@ "Please don't make me crawl over there.."
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@glennevers4952 · 4 months ago (edited)
I have worked on three PID Honeywell controllers— one on EACH house floor level for one air handler and 5Ton Carrier heat pump serving three floors. This was a post construction add on. The basement level was too small and needed a dump zone to keep the air flow high enough while the main level and top level were balanced. Open ALL dampers on all levels and check the cubic feet per minute (cfm) at all vents. There should be no coil freeze up if the refrigerant levels and pressures are good. Also, measure water column pressure drop across the inside air handler evaporator with and without the filter. We found old, partially closed manual dampers still installed in the ducts even after the new paddle, electrically automated Honeywell dampers were installed on each vent duct. Another area to look at are electrical connections: The Honeywell zone board can give you problems if you do not use SOLID wire connections. Stranded type wire is too fine and just bunches up in the zone board connector holes without a solid connection. I have more than 7 years experience with electrical zone dampers with no problems. Some AC zone installers prefer the in-line vent pneumatic air bag closing options because they can automatically deflate the bags in other zones and balance total air flow.
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@shelshele · 2 months ago
Hope you quoted them a float switch installation as well!
@woolval52 · 4 months ago (edited)
Looking forward to part 2. That attic is ridiculous!! And that dog... you deserve hazard duty pay. I like the recap you did at the end, lets us know where it stands. Hope you had a good and QUIET lunch.
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@joeshap3687 · 1 month ago
Those Evergreen type ECM motors do that funky chicken dance at startup for a few reasons during their first startup. There is a 3 phase permanent magnet motor that has to establish rotor position and get synchronization dialed it, self checks commutation. So that’s why it’s seems so odd. All mine are Goodmans so the first one I changed i thought I wired something in wrong. lol
@melvinwillingham233 · 4 months ago
Tell the customer the system needs a total rework and give them a price. And proceed to the next customer.
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@JustinTimeHVAC · 4 months ago
After further research, I believe the M4 terminal on this setup is mainly for the green LED indication. The damper itself appears to remain spring open / powered closed even with the 3-wire configuration.
@ChelseaSaxon · 4 months ago
That attic 😱
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@Ageehvac · 1 month ago
I see you're using my favorite tools....I'm also in the Greenville Upstate area...
@pomonabill220 · 4 months ago
SHUT THAT DAMN DOG UP!!!!
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