-1-
Troubleshooting
Description Art.No
MOTOR WILL NOT
START
Improper or loose wiring connections; open switches or
relays; tripped circuit breakers, GFCI’s, or blown fuses.
a. If pump develops a vacuum, check for blocked suc-
tion line or dirty strainer basket, and air leak in the suc-
tion piping may be the cause.
Manually check rotation of motor shaft for free move-
ment 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.
MOTOR HUMS BUT
DOES NOT START
PUMP WON’T PRIME
Centrifugal switch stuck in OPEN position.
Binding of motor shaft.
Low voltage at motor or power drop (frequently caused
by undersized wiring or extension cord use).
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”.
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.
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.
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.
Mechanical binding and electrical overload.
-2-
Troubleshooting
Description Art.No
LOW FLOW
Clogged or restricted strainer or suction line; under-
sized pool piping.
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.
Equipment base vibrating.
Plugged or restricted discharge line or filter, valve par-
tially closed (high gauge reading). How to correct: Sand
filters - backwash as per manufacturer’s instructions;
D.E. filters - backwash as per manufacturer’s instruc-
tions; Cartridge filters - clean or replace cartridge.
NOISY PUMP
Cavitation due to restricted or undersized suction line
or leak at any joint, low water level in pool, and unre-
stricted discharge return lines. Correct suction condi-
tion or throttle return lines, if practical. Holding hand
over return fitting will sometimes prove this point or
putting in a smaller eyeball fitting.
Motor bearings noisy from normal wear, rust, overheat-
ing, 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.
Air leak in suction piping causing rumbling in pump.
