19
Troubleshooting
Need help troubleshooting? Call Toll Free 1-866-986-3223
Monday- Friday, 8 AM - 7 PM EST
or visit www.whirlpoolwatersofteners.com
When you call, please be prepared to provide the model and serial number,
found on the rating decal, located on the back of the controller’s top cover.
This check verifies proper operation of the valve
motor, brine tank fill, brine draw, regeneration flow
rates, and other controller functions. Always make
the initial checks, and the manual initiated diagnos-
tics.
NOTE:
The electronic control display must show a
steady time (not flashing). If an error code
shows, first press the PROGRAM button to
enter the diagnostic display.
1
. Press the RECHARGE button and hold in for 3
seconds. RECHARGE begins to flash as the soft-
ener’s valve advances from the service to fill posi-
tion. Remove the brinewell cover and, using a
flashlight, observe fill water entering the tank.
If water does not enter the tank, look for an
obstructed nozzle, venturi, fill flow plug, brine tub-
ing, or brine valve riser pipe.
MANUAL ADVANCE REGENERATION CHECK
2
. After observing fill, press the RECHARGE button to
move the softener’s valve into the brine position. A
slow flow of water to the drain will begin. Verify
brine draw from the brine tank by shining a flash-
light into the brinewell and observing a noticeable
drop in the liquid level. This may take 15 to 20
minutes.
NOTE:
Be sure water is in contact with the salt, and
not separated by a salt bridge (See "Breaking
A Salt Bridge" section).
If the water softener does not draw brine, check for
(most likely to least likely):
=
Dirty or plugged nozzle and venturi, see
"Cleaning the Nozzle and Venturi" section.
=
Nozzle and venturi not seated on the gasket, or
gasket deformed.
=
Valve seals leaking (See Troubleshooting).
=
Restriction in valve drain, causing a back-pres-
sure (bends, kinks, elevated too high, etc.). See
"Install Valve Drain Hose" section.
=
Obstruction in brine valve or brine tubing.
NOTE:
If water system pressure is low, a too-long or
elevated drain hose may cause back pres-
sure, stopping brine draw. Avoid drain hose
runs longer than 30 feet. Avoid elevating the
hose more than 8 feet above the floor.
3
. Press the RECHARGE button to move the soften-
er’s valve into the backwash position. Look for a
fast flow of water from the drain hose. Check that
the drain can adequately handle the flow and vol-
ume.
An obstructed flow indicates a plugged top distribu-
tor, backwash flow plug, or drain hose.
4
. Press the RECHARGE button to move the soften-
er’s valve into the fast rinse position. Again look
for a fast drain flow. Allow the softener to rinse for
a few minutes to flush out any brine that may
remain in the resin tank from the brining cycle test.
5
. To return the softener’s valve to the service posi-
tion, press the RECHARGE button.
RESETTING TO FACTORY DEFAULTS
To reset the electronic controller to its factory default
for all settings (time, hardness, etc.):
1
. Press the PROGRAM button and hold it until the
display changes twice to show the flashing model
code.
2
. Press the
r
UP button (a few times, if necessary)
to display a flashing “SoS”.
3
. Press the PROGRAM button three times, and the
electronic controller will restart.
4
. Set the present time and hardness, as described
on page 12.
FIG. 40
