BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEMS	POSSIBLE CAUSES	SOLUTIONS
PUMP WILL NOT START	Disconnect switch open	Close disconnect switch
	Fuses blown or thermal overload open	Replace fuses or close thermal overload
	Locked shaft, impeller set incorrectly	Adjust impeller
	Motor windings burned out	Replace motor windings
	Defective starting switch inside motor	Replace switch
	Disconnected or defective wiring	Repair wiring
PUMP WILL NOT PRIME	No Water in the pump or strainer basket	If you’ve just refilled the pool into the skimmer baskets be sure to bleed all the air out of the plumbing system.
		Make sure hair & lint basket is empty of debris
		Lubricate and tighten strainer/lid O-ring
		Check that all valves are open.
	Damaged Pump	Does the pump sound normal? If it just hums for a few seconds then shuts down, this is an indication of a frozen motor.
		Check for debris clogging the impeller.
		Be sure the impeller hasn’t broken.
LOW FLOW & LOW FILTER PRESSURE	Level of water in pool is too low.	Add water to pool so that it is into skimmer baskets.
	Pump basket or skimmer basket is clogged	Clean if necessary
	Air leak in suction line	This can be determined by the recurrence of air in the filter. The leak must be found and repaired. The common cause of this problem is a loose pipe at the pump inlet.
	Clogged or damaged impeller	Inspect the impeller and clean or repair as necessary.
	Valves are closed	Check and open valves.
LOW FLOW & HIGH FILTER PRESSURE	Dirty filter.	Backwash filter or clean filter cartridge.
	Valves are closed	Check and open valves.
	Jets are clogged.	Inspect and clean (debris clogging the jets is frequently debris from another part that has deteriorated or broke).
MOTOR CYCLES ON AND OFF	Motor is overheating	Check ventilation around pump. Pump may have lost prime. Or impeller may be rubbing inside case (adjust impeller)
	Improper voltage	Check for proper voltage at the motor.
	Wiring to motor is undersized	Determine and correct.
MOTOR NOT REACHING FULL SPEED	Low voltage
	Impeller rubbing inside case	Adjust impeller
	Faulty or incorrect electrical connections	Repair as necessary
PUMP DOES NOT OPERATE	Damaged motor	Does the pump sound normal? If it just hums for a few seconds then shuts down, this is an indication of a frozen motor or debris possibly jamming the impeller.
	Power switch is OFF	Be sure all circuit breakers, GFCI’s and switches are on.
		Check for power at the motor and trace wires back till the problem is found.
WATER IS LEAKING AROUND THE PUMP AREA	Damaged/worn o-rings, pump housing, shaft seal or loosened plumbing fittings	Determine exact location and cause of leak and repair as necessary.
PUMP HAS BECOME EXCESSIVELY NOISY	Low or no water flow	Determine and correct.
	Bad bearings caused by normal wear or a leaking shaft seal	Replace shaft seal and bearings (it may be better or more economical to replace the whole motor rather than just the bearings).
	Plugged screens in skimmer or pump basket	Clean skimmer baskets and hair and lint basket.
	Suction line partially plugged	Unplug line
AIR IN POOL RETURN	Leakage of air into suction line	Tighten connections or valve stem
	Hair and lint strainer cover not tight	Tighten cover
	Restriction in suction line
	Low water level in pool	Raise water level
	Air leak around manifold in suction line	Find leak and repair

BASIC HEATER TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEMS	POSSIBLE CAUSES	SOLUTIONS
No heat at all	Tripped hi-limit switch.	Locate and reset.
	Open doors on heater cabinet.	Close the doors.
	Pilot light went out (gas heaters)	Relight pilot as per owners manual.
	Pump isn’t pumping any or enough water.	Determine pump problem and repair.
Heater cycling on and off continuously.	Dirty filter.	Backwash filter or clean filter cartridge.
	Low water level in pool.	Raise water level.
Takes a long time to heat pool.	Dirty filter	Backwash filter or clean cartridge.
	Daily filtration and heating cycle not running long enough.	Reset time clock.
	Damaged insulating cover.	Repair or replace.
	Bad thermostat.	Replace if necessary.
	Hi-limit switch turning off the heater prematurely.	Replace if necessary.
Pilot goes out.	Weak pilot generator	Replace pilot generator assembly.
	Restricted pilot.	Clean pilot.
Outer jacket very hot (gas Heaters)	Sooting of heat exchanger	Determine cause of sooting, clean and correct (the most common reason for this is too much water flowing through the heater caused by either too large a pump or internal heater parts damaged)
	Improper venting	Follow recommended installation instructions.
	Insects or debris clogging burner intake ports.	Clean burners.
Leaking at heater	Improper water chemistry	Determine exact location and cause of leak, replace damaged parts and maintain proper water chemistry.
Harmonics, whining or banging noise	Debris or restriction in system	Locate the restriction and remove.
	Low flow	Determine filter/pump type problem and repair.