Split systems are the workhorses of Brisbane cooling, and when one stops working the room becomes unusable within an hour on a summer afternoon. Our ARCtick-licensed technicians repair single-head and multi-head split systems of every major brand across Brisbane and South East Queensland, usually within 24 hours of your call.
Split systems fail in fairly predictable ways, and after thousands of call-outs across Brisbane we know what they are. Capacitors degrade in our heat and stop the compressor starting. Condensate drains clog with algae in our humidity and overflow onto walls. Outdoor coils in bayside suburbs corrode and lose heat rejection. Flare joints on poorly installed systems slowly weep refrigerant until the unit blows warm air. Because these patterns are consistent, our vans carry the parts to fix most of them on the first visit.
Common split system faults
- Indoor unit runs but blows warm or barely cool air
- Outdoor unit not starting, or humming without the fan turning
- Water dripping from the indoor head down the wall
- Ice forming on the indoor coil or the copper pipework
- Error codes or flashing lights on the indoor unit
- Loud rattling, clicking, grinding or vibration
- Musty or burning smell when the unit runs
- Unit turns itself off after a few minutes
- Remote control not responding or losing settings
- One head in a multi-head system not working while others do
- Circuit breaker or safety switch tripping
- Weak airflow from the indoor head
Benefits of Professional Split System Repair
- Correct root-cause diagnosis — for example, ice on the coil is a symptom, not a fault, and can be caused by low refrigerant, a dirty filter, a failed fan or a faulty sensor. Treating the wrong one wastes your money.
- Fast turnaround. Most Brisbane suburbs get same-day or next-day attendance.
- First-visit fix in most cases, because our vans stock the common failure parts.
- Licensed and compliant — ARCtick refrigerant handling and QBCC-licensed electrical work protect your safety and your warranty.
- Fixed price approved before work starts. No open-ended hourly billing.
- Multi-head expertise. Faults isolated to one indoor head, expansion valves and branch boxes require specific diagnostic skills that general handymen do not have.
- Honest repair-or-replace advice based on the unit’s actual age, refrigerant type and part cost.
- 12-month workmanship warranty on every repair.
Our Repair Process
Phone triage
Tell us the brand, model, approximate age and what the unit is doing, including any error code or flashing light pattern. Some issues — wrong mode selected, tripped isolator, filter completely blocked — we can resolve with you on the phone at no charge.
Attendance and inspection
The technician inspects the indoor head and the outdoor condenser, retrieves error codes, and checks the obvious contributors first: filters, coil cleanliness, airflow and drainage.
Electrical testing
Capacitor microfarad values measured against rating, contactor and relay operation checked, fan motor windings and running current tested, terminal connections inspected for heat damage, control board and sensor outputs verified.
Refrigeration testing
Suction and discharge pressures read, superheat and subcooling calculated, and the temperature split across the indoor coil measured. This tells us definitively whether the charge is correct, whether there’s a restriction, or whether the compressor is failing to pump.
Written quote and approval
You get a plain-English explanation of the fault, the repair cost, and where the unit is older, a comparison against replacement. Nothing proceeds until you agree.
Repair completed
Component replacement, drain clearing, leak detection and repair, evacuation and recharge to weighed specification, or control board replacement as required.
Verification and handover
Full cycle test in cooling and heating, pressures and temperature split re-measured, drainage confirmed, written report and warranty issued, plus advice on preventing a recurrence.
Indicative Repair Costs
AUD including GST. Confirmed on site before work begins; the diagnosis fee is credited toward the repair if you proceed on the same visit.
Repair | Indicative cost |
Service call and diagnosis (business hours) | $110 – $190 |
Run capacitor replacement | $180 – $340 |
Contactor or relay replacement | $200 – $400 |
Thermistor / temperature sensor | $180 – $350 |
Indoor blower fan motor | $400 – $850 |
Outdoor fan motor | $380 – $780 |
Blocked condensate drain clearing | $150 – $320 |
Condensate pump replacement | $350 – $650 |
Refrigerant leak detection | $180 – $450 |
Flare joint repair and recharge | $380 – $750 |
Coil leak repair and recharge | $600 – $1,400 |
Regas after repair (2.5–7.1 kW) | $280 – $600 |
Indoor or outdoor PCB replacement | $500 – $1,300 |
Reversing valve replacement | $700 – $1,500 |
Expansion valve replacement | $550 – $1,100 |
Compressor replacement (out of warranty) | $1,400 – $3,000 |
Remote or wall controller replacement | $120 – $450 |
Multi-head branch box or head isolation fault | $450 – $1,200 |
Brands We Repair
Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Fujitsu, Panasonic, ActronAir, LG, Samsung and Carrier, plus most other brands available in Australia. We hold the error-code references and service data for these manufacturers and source genuine parts through Australian distributors. Give us the model number from the sticker on the side of the indoor unit when you book and we can often bring the likely part with us.
Service Areas
Split system repairs across North Brisbane, South Brisbane, East Brisbane, West Brisbane, Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Chermside, Carindale, Sunnybank, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
My split system runs but doesn’t cool. What’s wrong?
The most common causes are low refrigerant due to a leak, a failed run capacitor preventing the compressor from starting, a blocked filter or fouled coil choking airflow, a stopped outdoor fan motor, or a faulty thermistor. A technician can usually identify which within 30–45 minutes.
Why is water leaking from my indoor unit?
Almost always a blocked condensate drain. Brisbane humidity plus airborne dust creates algae and sludge in the drain line, and once it blocks, the pan overflows. It can also be caused by a frozen coil thawing, an incorrectly sloped drain from a poor installation, or a failed condensate pump. Turn the unit off and book promptly — it damages plasterboard fast.
Why is ice forming on the pipes?
Ice means the coil is running below freezing, which happens with restricted airflow (dirty filter or coil, failed indoor fan) or low refrigerant charge. Turn the unit off and let it thaw completely before the technician arrives, and don’t run it in the meantime — running with ice can damage the compressor.
One head in my multi-head system isn’t working. Is that a whole-system problem?
Usually not. It’s typically an issue with that head’s expansion valve, its indoor PCB, its thermistor, or the branch box connection for that circuit. The outdoor unit and the other heads are usually fine.
Can you just top up the gas?
Split systems are sealed and don’t consume refrigerant. If it’s low, there’s a leak. Australian regulations require leaks to be repaired rather than repeatedly topped up, and a top-up alone means paying again in a few months. We find and fix the leak first.
How much does it cost to repair a split system?
Most common repairs land between $180 and $600 including the call-out. Major component failures such as compressors or control boards run higher, and at that point we’ll usually recommend comparing against replacement.
Should I repair or replace?
Repair if the unit is under about 8 years old and the fault is a discrete component. Replace if it’s over 10–12 years old, uses R22 refrigerant, has had multiple failures, or the repair exceeds roughly half the price of a new installed system.
How quickly can you attend?
Same day or next day for most Brisbane suburbs. Call early in the day during summer heatwaves for the best chance of a same-day slot. After-hours emergency attendance is available.
Do you repair units still under manufacturer warranty?
Yes, and we’ll tell you when a fault should be claimed through the manufacturer’s warranty agent so you aren’t paying for something that’s covered.
What warranty do you give on repairs?
Parts carry the manufacturer’s warranty and our workmanship is warranted for 12 months. If the same fault returns in that period, we come back at no charge.
