Motor gets hot and shuts down - Generally due to low voltage or being overloaded. Check that the motor is wired correctly. If the motor is configured for 230V and has 115V coming in, it will shut down after running 3-5 minutes. Check for loose connections. Check for undersized wiring. For a hook-up to the circuit box of under 50', pumps of up to 2HP wired for 230V need No. 14 size wire, For pumps wired for 115V, the wire size must be No. 14 for 1/2 and 3/4 HP; No 12 for 1 HP; and No. 10 for 1 1/2 and 2 HP. Check that the motor is not overloaded. Does the pump have the correct impeller and diffuser for this motor? Is the impeller worn and rubbing on the diffuser.
Alicia Posted: 1/5/2021
My pool pump makes a humming noise but won't turn on. Replaced capacitator, however, it keeps doing the same thing. What else could it be?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/6/2021
If the motor still hums after replacing the capacitor, the phase windings are most likely bad. If that is the case, we usually suggest replacing the motor. You can see more on how to test the windings here: How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Winding ResistanceReply
Jim Posted: 8/25/2020
I replaced a LAo1N Booster pump for our cleaner with a brand new one eight weeks ago. It was working perfectly until a week ago. Tropical Storm Isaias created havoc in the Northeast and our house ran on generator power for the better part of 6 days while they repaired the power lines. Our pool equipment all runs on the generator as well. It was somewhere during the storm/post storm that the booster pump stopped working. The filter pump is working great. I checked all the wiring on the pump and on the control board and all looks in good. Lights on control panel light you push the cleaner button. The pump does not hum, get hot, nothing. Just dead. Any ideas? I am wondering if there was a power surge or something that damaged it but not the Filter pump. Thank youReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/27/2020
There could have been a power surge that knocked out your motor, but I would not rule out water damage. Try checking the capacitor: How to Test a Pool Pump Capacitor, and try spinning the motor shaft by hand to see if it has frozen up.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/8/2020
It rained a lot last night my panel was open I believe it got wet inside the pump turn on but then it turned off now it won’t startReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/20/2020
The only thing you can do is give it time to dry out (a day or two) and hope that is all that needs. If not, you may need a new controller or motor.Reply
Chad Schnepf Posted: 7/20/2020
My pentair 342001 vs superflo will not start. if i hit a few buttons all the small green led lights will flash twice. Sometimes once. There is no error code, I have tried the breaker. Help?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/9/2020
It sounds like you have a bad control. Your best option is to contact Pentair to see if they can troubleshoot the panel. But usually, when they start acting up, you need to replace the control box or the whole motor assembly. How old is the pump? Is it still under warranty?Reply
Mike Posted: 7/16/2020
My pool pump won’t turn on at all. There is no humming sound. The box is getting power but motor is not working. It is a Century switchless pump. Aqualink RS6 control panel shows the filter pump is lit up but nothing happening. Thoughts?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 11/10/2020
If you disconnect power from the motor, disassemble the pump, can you turn the motor's shaft by hand? Or, is the shaft locked in place, sometimes called "frozen"? If the motor shaft is frozen, your bearings have locked up; you would need to either replace the bearings or the whole motor.Reply
Kevin Posted: 5/31/2020
I've had this pump for less than a year n I plugged it in this year n no power to the pump !! What am I missing?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
This guide tells you what to do in this case. Did you take the time to read and complete the steps?Reply
Vic Posted: 1/13/2020
I just replaced my pump and and noticed that it will not turn off at the control panel even though it reads "off" on the display panel. It will only come on and go off by using the breaker. Any ideas on what caused this?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/13/2020
For some clarification, is this a single, dual or variable speed motor? When you say control panel are you rferring a mounted control on the motor, or a wall-mounted panel?Reply
Bob Posted: 12/7/2019
We’ve owned this home 20 years. The motor was never replaced/worked on. It always ran great. Recently, it began humming & shuts off after 7 seconds (but the motor is pumping water). My son (Masters degree in electrical engineering) tested the capacitor and says it’s fine. I can easily rotate the impeller with my fingers. I also cleaned out the DE in the filter, but haven’t replaced it yet. Suggestions?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 12/9/2019
Did either you or your son test the line voltage or the phase windings?Reply
Tom Posted: 9/10/2019
My motor runs just fine, however after it's been running for a few hours if I turn it off to empty the basket when I turn it back on it hums. What could cause that?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/12/2019
Humming is a sign of a failing capacitor.Reply
Luis Avila Posted: 6/13/2019
My pool pump won’t turn on at all. There is no humming sound. The box is getting power but it seems that the timer motor is not working. Could that be the problem?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/13/2019
What is the catalog or part number from your motor's label?Reply
Bill Posted: 5/30/2019
Well....replaced the top cap (think is the run cap?)....and nothing....like dead....think it could be the start cap?? Thanks for any helpReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/30/2019
It could be a start capacitor issue. Take a look at this guide for troubleshooting: How to Test a Pool Pump CapacitorReply
Anonymous Posted: 5/17/2019
When I turn it on My Polaris motor will hum for about 10 seconds or so then it will shut off. What could be causing this?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/20/2019
It could be a bad capacitor or one of the things mentioned in this troubleshooting guide. What troubleshooting steps have you completed so far?Reply
Kelvin Posted: 5/9/2019
My pump shuts off randomly, usually every 10-15min, then turns back on after about 30sec. It's been an ongoing issue over the past few years, last year it didn't happen at all from what I remember, but in years before it has happened with varying frequency. The pump has been replaced within those years, but it didn't seem to make a difference. It doesn't seem to be related to heat, pump doesn't seem overly hot, or weather (hot summer days or cool spring/fall days). I'm have a easytouch system (about 10 years old) and century 1 1/2hp motor (2-3 years old). Any ideas why this is happening?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 5/9/2019
Hello Kelvin - My first thought was that the windings in the motor are going bad and that is causing it to randomly shut down. If the windings are bad, the motor should be replaced. Another possibility is that the relay that controls the pump is going bad. That or the wires at the relay are loose.Reply
Kelvin Posted: 6/1/2019
I replaced the relay and so far it seems to have fixed the problem. Thank you for your help!Reply
Dusty Posted: 4/29/2019
I replaced my start capacitor. Turned to power on, it popped and tripped the breaker Now it doesn't come on at all Now what?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/29/2019
I would confirm the capacitor was hooked up correctly, then test it to determine if it is still good.Reply
Joe Posted: 4/7/2019
My pool motor runs during a quick bench test. But there is no re-action when it is installed on the pump. I measured 220v at the input. I have a Sta Rite Pentair pump and USQ 1152 motor. My next guess is the bearings but I can't understand why there is no noise and no movement at all when it is installed on the pump.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/8/2019
Joe - have you checked that the impeller and the diffuser are not blocked or locked up? Is there scoring on the impeller, diffuser, or seal plate which might be a sign of rubbing?Reply
Joe Posted: 4/8/2019
There is 220 VAC at the input. But still nothing, no noise , no struggling, no hum, There is one thing different when testing on the bench. I didn't want to play with 220v so I switched the control knob to 115v just for the bench test. Then I turned it back to 220v. But I get no reaction when the motor is installed on the pump.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/9/2019
Have you tried applying switching the motor to 115 and applying 115-volts to the motor when it is installed on the pump?Reply
Joe Posted: 4/10/2019
Thank you for the follow up. Today I turned the AC switch to 115 VAC while the motor is installed. And it tried to run. It sounded almost normal with 115 vac. It was trying to run the pump. The AC switch is very difficult to turn and I'm concerned about breaking it. So, does this new indication mean that the AC switch is bad or could it be the motor wingdings? Maybe I can wire the 220 vac directly and bypass the black control knob. What are your thoughts?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/11/2019
I sent your question to a senior Century Motor's technician, and received this reply:If the motor is tested on a bench with no load, it will start if 115 volts are applied, regardless of the setting of the voltage change device. If the power supply to the motor is checked across the two leads, it would read approximately 115 volts if that is the power supply. If the power supply is approximately 230 volts, that would be the reading between the two leads. If the power supply is approximately 230 volts, and the motor voltage change device is set to 115, the motor will burn out immediately. If the voltage change device is set to the voltage being applied, even if the pump was locked up, the motor would attempt to start, and then trip the internal overload. After it cools down, it would attempt to restart. The voltage change device is not easy to turn. A wrench is the best way to rotate the device, while holding the terminal board with the other hand, so it doesn’t break. Is this a new motor that is being installed, or an existing motor that has a problem?Reply
Joe Posted: 4/8/2019
The diffuser is brand new and the o-ring is brand new with Magic Lube. The PS-201 seal is also brand new and so is the starting capacitor. The impeller is clean and fine. The motor runs during a bench test but there is no action when it is installed.Reply
Tom Posted: 3/29/2019
I have a Hayward pool pump mod # UST1102. The pump has been off for a couple of months. I turned it on and then looking through the cover, I noticed there was no water in the pump container. I shut off it off and filled the container with a hose. I turned the pump back on, and nothing... No noise, no hum and no pumping.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/1/2019
Hello Tom - have you checked the pump circuit's voltage? This will determine it is getting enough electricity to run. Also, depending on how long your pump ran dry, your motor may have overheated and needed time to cool down. I would give it 15 minutes to a half hour and then give it another go. If after the motor cools down, and it still will not turn on, and the voltage is normal, the motor may need deeper troubleshooting.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 3/27/2019
My motor makes a buzzing noise and won't turn on. I can turn it with a screwdriver on the tail end of the motor without any problem, assuming it wasn't rusted inside? Do you think the capacitor, likely the problem? Also do you guys sell the capacitor cover with the screws for an Emerson EB841? The guy who came to give me an estimate broke the cover and the screws to open the cover. And quote me $900 to change the motor. If its problem is only the capacitor, then it will save me loads of money. But will have to find a way to extract the broken screws and find the replacement cover.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/28/2019
It very well could be a bad capacitor. For information on how to check it, read this guide: How to Test a Pool Pump Capacitor.Reply