[header] How to check a start capacitor [title] Remove the start capacitor. [step] The easiest and most convenient way to discharge the capacitor is to attach the terminals of a low wattage 120v light bulb (about 20 watts) to the capacitor terminals. This will safely discharge the electricity which may still be stored into it. 
[substeps] Be very careful that you do not short the terminals by connecting one to the other, until after the capacitor has been discharged. Doing so could injure or kill you.