Don't waste your time with the float switch or drain system. The float switch if your drain is plogged will turn off the outdoor unit(compressor and outdoor fan) or both indoor and outdoor unit completely, depending on how the installing contractor wired it. And you can have a bad fan capacitor and the compressor will still run for a little while until a safety(high pressure or thermal protection) shuts it off. Then the compressor may come on again, but this could severly damage your compressor. Best to shut it off at the t'stat or outdoor electrical disconnect and call an a/c company that has weekend service. But if you want to try spinning the fan blade when the compressor is running might work. Even if it doesn't continue you might still have a bad fan capacitor.
But remember if the fan continues to run your system will cool but once the thermostat is satisfied and stops your unit the fan will not restart by itself. Both the fan and compressor have a capacitor sometimes they are seperate and sometimes they are a combination. if seperate they will have two posts or terminal connections . If combination type the capacitor will have three posts. Some units have a start capacitor(DO NOT MESS WITH THAT CAPACITOR). It will be round, black and probably have a plastic housing. They hold an electrical charge even when removed from the unit! That being said, still50/50 chance you have a bad motor or other problem.
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