12
Trouble Shooting
ISSUE
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
MOTOR WILL NOT
START
Improper or loose wiring connections; open switches or relays; tripped circuit breakers,
GFCI’s, or blown fuses.
Manually check rotation of motor shaft for free movement and lack of obstruction.
If you have a timer, be certain it is working properly. Bypass it if necessary.
MOTOR SHUTS OFF
Undersized wiring; loose connections; etc.
Low voltage at motor or power drop (frequently caused by undersized wiring or extension
cord use).
Mechanical binding and electrical overload.
MOTOR HUMS BUT
DOES NOT START
Centrifugal switch stuck in OPEN position.
Binding of motor shaft.
PUMP WON’T PRIME
Make sure pump/strainer housing is filled with water and the cover O-ring is clean, also be
sure it is properly seated in the cover O-ring groove. Make sure strainer cover is locked
firmly in position and lubricated with “Jack’s 327”.
Make sure all suction and discharge valves are fully open and not blocked, that pool water
level is at proper level, and that skimmer weir is not hung up or stuck on skimmer wall.
Block off to determine if pump will develop a vacuum. You should have 5 - 6” of vacuum at
the strainer cover. You may be able to check by removing the skimmer basket and holding
your hand over the bottom port with skimmer full and pump running. If no suction is felt,
check for line blockage.
a. If pump develops a vacuum, check for blocked suction line or dirty strainer basket, and
air leak in the suction piping may be the cause.
b. If pump does not develop a vacuum and pump has sufficient “priming water”: i.
Re-check strainer housing cover and all threaded connections for suction leaks. Check if all
hose clamps are tight. ii. Check voltage to ensure that the motor is rotating at full RPM’s. iii.
Open housing cover and check clogging or obstruction in suction. Check impeller for debris.
iv. Remove and replace shaft seal only if it is leaking.
LOW FLOW
Clogged or restricted strainer or suction line; undersized pool piping.
Plugged or restricted discharge line or filter, valve partially closed (high gauge reading).
How to correct: Sand filters - backwash as per manufacturer’s instructions; D.E. filters -
backwash as per manufacturer’s instructions; Cartridge filters - clean or replace cartridge.
Air leak in suction piping causing rumbling in pump.
Cavitation due to restricted or undersized suction line or leak at any joint, low water level in
pool, and unrestricted discharge return lines. Correct suction condition or throttle return
lines, if practical. Holding hand over return fitting will sometimes prove this point or putting
in a smaller eyeball fitting.
NOISY PUMP
Vibration due to improper mounting, etc. Put a rubber pad under metal mounting feet.
Foreign matter in pump housing. Loose stones/debris hitting impeller could be cause,
remove any of the above.
Motor bearings noisy from normal wear, rust, overheating, or concentration of chemicals
causing seal damage which will allow chlorinated water to seep into bearings wiping out the
grease causing bearing to whine. All seal leaks should be replaced at once.
Equipment base vibrating.
