Hello and Welcome back, Inyoans (not a word) to a new blog post; today we are going over How To Troubleshoot a Pool Pump Motor. We’re bringing some of our hidden treasures to your attention. What hidden treasures, you ask? The Hope Diamond? One-Eyed Willie’s Gold? No, it is our How to guide’s silly.
It is that time of year when the pesky pool problems start to hit your filtering system: low pressure, hot motor, or a potentially dead motor. I know this because I have taken your phone calls, picking my brain on what to do next. Chances are, I referred you to one of our handy dandy How To Guides on the subject. We have covered so many topics that some of the important topics get lost in the shuffle, so let’s bring them to light.
Pool Motor Overheated
If your motor is throwing up smoke signals or randomly switching off then on again, then it is likely a victim of overheating. This How-To guide will help you pinpoint the issue and stop the break in your filtering schedule.
How to Guide: How to Troubleshoot an Overheated Pool Motor
Pool Motor Shuts Down
If your motor stops cold in its tracks then it is likely overloading the circuit or tripping a thermal fuse. Both a big no-no and should be avoided if you want a long lasting motor.
How to Guide: How to Troubleshoot Pool Motor Shutting Down
Pool Motor Fails to Start
Any person who has had an old car knows the helpless feeling when the engine will not crank over. Just like their gas powered cousins, electric motors can have false starts as well; luckily, they are pretty easy to diagnose and fix. It could be a capacitor or something deeper; read the guide to find out what is gumming up your motor.
How to Guide: How to Troubleshoot Pool Motor Not Starting
Pool Motor is Noisy
If you motor sounds like a freight train screeching to a stop then your bearings have likely gone bad. Caused by a leak from the shaft seal or water introduced to the motor’s shaft system elsewhere; either way you’re neighbors will hate you until it is fixed (Part 1, Part 2). This guide also covers some other noisy nuisances that can trouble your motor.
How to Guide: How to Troubleshoot a Noisy Pool Motor
70+ Pool Pump & Motor How to Guides
Above are some of the most popular issues that arise with a pool pump motor but there are many other problems that can arise. We have covered over 70 Pool Pump & Motor How To Guides on topics like… How to Fix Low Pressure in Pool, How to Fix Air Bubbles in Pool, How to Replace the Motor on Your Pool Pump and many more.
How to Guides: 70+ Pool Motor and Pump How to Guides
Thank you for sticking around and reading my blog. If you have any further questions, please give our techs a call at 877-372-6038. We are glad to help!
why would the motor voltage wire need to be moved to 115v instead of 230v when the motor is stated as being able to handle both? clicking noise on 230v setting. the wire that goes to the overload protector (white wire) is too short to change the voltage setting by moving the jumper. jrivet@satx.rr.com
In short, because that is how they are designed. So yes, a motor is rated as a dual voltage, which means it can accept either 115 or 230, but you still have to make sure it is set to the range you’re using.
If the wire was too short to switch, I’d classify it as defective. Contact the customer service of the company you purchased the motor from, get a new one. Or, you’ll need to rewire the circuit for 230 voltage.
We just had a new pump installed. It works however the manual says to make sure when the pump is running the light is on green. Well the lights such as speed, on, and start/stop all 3 of them the lights stay on red. Also after the pump runs for 7hrs ea day there is still some fine dust or whatever it is floating on top of the water. You can not see it well but it’s there. What could cause all of this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
What is the make and model of your pump? The series of lights illuminated can mean different things for different pumps.
That silt could be pollen. We are in Florida, and it is everywhere currently.
Hi. Had to remove the electrolyser today. Closed all valves to do this, then reopened all valves except, by accident and stupidly, the multiposition valve. Switched the pump on and it promptly just hummed. Switched it off fast, repositioned multiposition valve to “filter” and tried the pump again. Just hummed again. Took pump out and examined it having separated it from the filter holder, Impeller turns but do not know how to make sure the pump itself is turning. Can you help
John – can you clarify what you are calling the electrolyser? Are you talking about the salt cell?
If the motor is just humming, it could be a capacitor issue. Follow the steps listed on this how-to guide: How To Replace a Pool Pump Capacitor
New pool pump runs for 10mins. Then makes a click and shuts off. Any idea why?
Low voltage or the motor is set to the wrong voltage for what it is set up for?
It helps to do some troubleshooting of the wiring before so we can at least try to dismiss some possibilities.
The blog post is informative. It offers tips on how to keep the pool motor in great shape. Something I always wanted to know. Thanks!
Awesome, glad to help!
Great stuff, keep it comeing. Also, looking to receive my pentair filter hopefully soon.
? Order: 601281
Thank you, Chris.
You order should be delivered this week. Be on the look out for a phone call from the trucking company.