What typical symptom indicates an A/C unit may have a faulty capacitor?

A faulty capacitor in an A/C unit can often lead to the system not responding as expected when the thermostat is adjusted. The capacitor plays a crucial role in helping start the compressor and fan motors. If the capacitor fails, these components may not receive the necessary electrical charge to operate properly. This can result in the unit failing to turn on or respond appropriately to changes in temperature settings, leading to a situation where the thermostat adjustments seem ineffective.

This lack of response is a clear indicator of potential capacitor issues, as opposed to other symptoms like continuous running or excessive noise, which could indicate different problems related to the system's overall operation. Additionally, the rapid cooling of a space is generally not a symptom associated with a capacitor fault, but more with system efficiency or sizing, rather than the capacitor's function.