Will a bad capacitor cause AC to short cycle?

Yes, a failing or bad capacitor is one of the most common underlying electrical causes of air conditioner short cycling. The run and start capacitors provide the necessary electrical boost and sustained voltage to help the compressor and fan motors start up and run efficiently. When a capacitor begins to degrade or weaken, it struggles to supply the proper electrical current required to keep the compressor running smoothly. As a result, the compressor motor draws excessive electrical current, overheats rapidly, and trips its internal thermal overload protector within minutes of starting up, causing the system to shut down prematurely. Once the motor cools down slightly, it attempts to start again, creating a continuous cycle of brief operation followed by immediate shutdown. Replacing a faulty capacitor with a new one matching the exact microfarad rating typically resolves this specific issue immediately.