[robert713]

My compressor stays running even after the thermostat is turned off. It stays running for hours and I am afraid it will burn up. I turned the power off at the compressor which shut it down. I don't know whether it's the thermostat or a relay switch or something like that in the compressor. Any ideas?

[SINCE1972]

It is a contactor stuck-must be replaced.
It is on the electrical panel in the outside unit.

since1972
burke

[Philtac]

Very possible you have a compressor contactor sticking, or it could have welded the points together. Turn off the power to the air handler/ furnace and the condenser. Open condenser electric compartment and see if the contacts are pulled in on the contactor. Check for ants in the compartment there good at getting in between the points and causing them to ark and weld. some times it's possible to manually unstick the contactor. Use a nail file to clean the points and get a little more time on the contactor. or keep it working properly till a new contactor can be aquired.