Provided below is a general list of common GA stationary air compressor problems, and a few quick fixes that may help solve your dilemma. Always remember to check your product manual to ensure that the correct parts are purchased.
Any piece of equipment may fail from time to time, leaving you wondering, “What’s wrong with my air compressor?” Whether there’s a problem with the motor, lubricant supply or pressure, the issue needs to be remedied before it spirals into a costly repair. The following air compressor troubleshooting tips can help solve some of the most common problems that are known to occur with air compressors.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Condensate is not discharged from condensate trap(s) during loading | 1-Discharge pipe of condensate trap clogged | Check and correct as necessary |
| 2- Float valve of condensate trap(s) malfunctioning | Remove float valve assembly, clean and check | |
| Compressor air delivery or pressure below normal | 1- Air consumption exceeds air delivery of compressor | Check equipment connected |
| 2-Choked air filters | Replace filters | |
| 3-Air leakages | Check and correct | |
| Compressor elements outlet temperature or delivery air temperature above normal | 1- Insufficient cooling air | *Check for cooling air restriction. *Improve ventilation of compressor room. *Avoid recirculation of cooling air |
| 2- On GA W, cooling water temperature too high or flow too low | Increase water flow and check temperature | |
| 3- Oil level too low | Check and correct as necessary | |
| 4- Oil coolers clogged | Replace it and Consult Atlas Copco service people | |
| 5- Air cooler clogged | Replace it and Consult Atlas Copco service people | |
| 6- On GA W, restriction in cooling water system due to dirt or formation of scale | Check and clean the water circuit and coolers | |
| Safety valve (SV) blows after loading | 1- Inlet valve (IV) malfunctioning | Inspect and service it & Consult Atlas Copco service people |
| 2-Minimum pressure valve (Vp) malfunctioning | Inspect and service it & Consult Atlas Copco service people | |
| 3- Oil separator element (OS) clogged | Check the scvaging line, replace the oil, oil filter, and replace the separator Also consult Atlas Copco service people | |
| 4-Safety valve (SV) out of order | Check the pressure setpoint and consult Atlas Copco service people | |
| 5-Dryer piping clogged because of ice formation | Inspect the freon circuit and leaks | |
| Compressor does not start or stops during operation. Elektronikon shows motor overload problem. | 1-Motor overload relay (F21) open | Find cause and remedy. Replace if necessary. |
| 2-Circuit breaker (Q15) or fan motor overload (F15) open | Find cause and remedy. Replace if necessary. | |
| 3-Motor thermistor (K34) tripped or defective | Find cause and remedy. Replace if necessary. | |
| 4-Phase sequence relay (K25) open | Find cause and remedy. Replace if necessary. | |
| 5-Wiring interrupted | Find cause and remedy. Replace if necessary. | |
| Compressor starts running, but does not load after a delay time | 1-Solenoid valve out of order | Inspect and service it & Consult Atlas Copco service people |
| 2-Inlet valve stuck in closed position | Inspect and service it & Consult Atlas Copco service people | |
| 3-Leak in control air tubes | Inspect and Replace leaking tubes & Consult our technical support | |
| 4-Minimum pressure valve leaking (when air net is depressurised) | Inspect and service it & Consult our technical support | |
| Compressor does not unload, safety valve blows | 1-Solenoid valve out of order | Inspect and service it & Consult Atlas Copco service people |
| 2-Inlet valve does not close | Inspect and service it & Consult our technical support | |
| Compressor air output or pressure below normal | 1-Air consumption exceeds air delivery of compressor | 1- Eliminate possible compressed air leaks. 2- Increase delivery capacity by adding or replacing the air compressor |
| 2-Choked air filter element | Replace the filter | |
| 3-Solenoid valve malfunctioning | Replace it | |
| 4-Oil separator element clogged | Replace it | |
| 5-Air leakage | Have leaks repaired. Replace leaking tubes | |
| 6-Safety valve leaking | Replace it | |
| 7-Inlet valve does not fully open | Check and service it | |
| 8-Compressor element out of order | Inspect and carrray out the overhaul if needed | |
| Compressor element outlet temperature or delivery air temperature above normal | 1-Oil level too low | Check and correct |
| 2-On air-cooled compressors, insufficient cooling air or cooling air temperature too high | Check for cooling air restriction or improve ventilation of the compressor room. Avoid recirculation of cooling air. If installed, check capacity of compressor room fan | |
| 3-Oil cooler clogged | Clean Cooler | |
| 4-Bypass valve malfunctioning | Have Valve Tested | |
| 5-Air cooler clogged | Clean Cooler | |
| 6-Compressor element out of order | Consult Atlas Copco may need to overhaul | |
| Pressure dewpoint too high | 1-Air inlet temperature too high | Check and correct; if necessary, install a pre-cooler |
| 2-Ambient temperature too high | Check and correct; if necessary, draw cooling air via a duct from a cooler place or relocate the dryer | |
| 3-Air inlet pressure too low | Increase inlet pressure and adjust the pressure switch | |
| 4-Dryer capacity exceeded | Reduce the air flow | |
| 5-Shortage of refrigerant | Have circuit checked for leaks and recharged | |
| 6-Refrigerant compressor does not run | Check the electric power supply to compressor | |
| 7-Evaporator pressure too high | Have hot gas by-pass valve adjusted | |
| 8-Condenser pressure too high | Check fan/fan motor | |
| 9-Evaporator pressure is too high or too low at unload | Have hot gas by-pass valve adjusted |
