[tubman]

You can use a cheap multimeter to check if a capacitor (condenser) is functioning. Set your multimeter to a high ohms scale and hold the leads on the capacitor for a while. The voltage on the leads should put a small charge into the unit. Then reverse the leads on the condenser, and you should see the unit discharge. Any changes in readings show the capacitor is functioning, but does not indicate if it is functioning properly (at it's rated value). If the meter does not change, the capacitor is not functioning. This may not work all of the time with a digital meter. An analog meter is better for this kind of testing. Of course, if you have an expensive meter that has the facility for testing capacitors (most don't), you're home free.