Pump shorted, can it be fixed?

I noticed my breaker had tripped so I reset it, and within a few seconds it tripped again. When I opened up the wiring compartment on the pump, it was charred and you could smell the burn. Noticed that when the pump was installed, they didn’t seal one of the openings into the compartment, so guessing that either water or a critter got in there to cause the damage.

I had hoped I could simply cut off the bad part of the wire (or run new if not enough length) and reattach the wires and be back up and running, but it’s not going to be so easy. 2 of the three terminals are fine, but the third one was so brittle when iI touched it with a screwdriver to loosen, it just fell off. There’s nothing left of that terminal connection point. It looks like those terminals are on a circuit board, and before I go any further, wondering if I might be able to open the pump up and just replace that circuit board??

The pump is a Jandy VSPLUSHP model number VSPH270AUT

Here’s a picture of the scorched terminal block: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6QoGgQ2YZ1qrSjsD7

That does not look good.  It is hard to tell if the issue is in the controller (since it is a variable-speed motor) or in the motor itself.

The parts (and replacement motors) for your pump are on this webpage.  You may have a difficult time finding the controller only if that is one of the first generations of motors.

I was able to find a used control unit on ebay for $400 and that got things back up and running. I made sure the port the installer left open into the control unit is now sealed so hopefully that will prevent this issue from happening again.

That is great to hear!  I’m glad everything is up and running again!

It is possible that replacing the circuit board could fix the issue with your pump. However, it’s important to consider the potential risks and complexities involved in opening up the pump and performing the replacement yourself.

If you are not experienced with electrical work and pump repair, it may be best to seek professional help to avoid any further damage or injury. A qualified technician or electrician can properly diagnose the problem and provide the necessary repairs to get your pump up and running safely.