Save yourself the cost of a new motor. Check the capacitor first. When you turn on your pump and the motor produces a humming sound, the motor may be frozen so that it won't turn or you may have a bad capacitor. Check the capacitor. It can be replaced for a fraction of the price of a new motor. Note: Some motors have two capacitors: a run capacitor and a start capacitor. If so, check both.
Click Here to View Pump Motor Parts (Including Run & Start Capacitors, Bearings, and Switches) 
Endlesspool single speed Posted: 11/5/2015
Is there any way to hack a 3/4 hp Pinnacle Pump to cut the rpm in half by reducing the electrical current flow?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/5/2015
Mike Frank - Yes. 610807-002 is the correct start capacitor for the C48L2N134B1 motor configured for either 115 or 230 V. When the manf installs the capacitor before shipping, they do not know if you are going to configure the motor for 115 of 230 V.Reply
Mike Frank Posted: 10/4/2015
Thanks, but that particular motor can be wired to run on either 115 or 230 and my unit is running on 230. The specs for the BC-161 capacitor say it is for 125V. Is that still the right capacitor?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/4/2015
Mike Frank - The proper start capacitor for the C48L2N134B1 motor also known as the UST1102 or UST1152 motor is the 610807-002 Capacitor.Reply
Mike Frank Posted: 10/4/2015
What is the correct start capacitor for AO Smith Motor Model C48L2N134B1?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/31/2015
jba750 - If your pump was working on both speeds and recently stopped on low speed, I would check your switch. If this is a new system and the low has never worked, recheck your wiring to make sure you have two circuits. I don't know how involved your control system is but here is a link to "How To Install a 2-Speed Motor and a T106 Timer" that might help.Reply
Jba750 Posted: 8/29/2015
I have an AO Smith 2 speed pump that works on high but not low speed. There is a slight click when I put it on low but it does not start until I turn it on highReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/24/2015
scnellis - 80 MFD would be too high. I wouldn't go beyond the next size up: 55 MFD.Reply
scnellis Posted: 8/23/2015
How high is slightly higher? I have an 80 MFD with 370 vac/b and can I use that to replace an 50 mfd with 370 vac? Please help me!!!!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/23/2015
burned pump wiring - If you bought this pump from us, give us a call at 877-372-6038. We may be able to replace it. Check to make sure that the pump's motor voltage configuration is the same as the supply voltage from the breaker box. I don't think we have the part connected to that yellow wire, and I would be reluctant to replace it without knowing what caused the burn out.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/23/2015
Yesterday I replaced my pump motor. It worked for about 5 seconds then popped and started to smoke. When I removed the cover I discovered one of the yellow wires leading to the capacitor was next to the spring and has been burned into 2 pieces. Is there anyway I can repair this. This is a brand new UCT1152.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/21/2015
Cliff - Many of the Above Ground and Spa motors do not have capacitors. Your motor windings may be bad.Reply
Cliff Posted: 7/20/2015
I have a hayward Power Flo Matrix with an AO Smith SP1510 motor less than 5 years old. All of a sudden it now hums. I have taken the back cover off and and can freely spin the motor with a screwdriver. I can't see a capacitor. I remove the 4 throughbolts and knocked off the electrical end of the motor. Still no capacitor. Now what? thanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/19/2015
David - The capacitors we sell are at this link: Pump Motor Parts.Reply
david Posted: 7/19/2015
who know where to buy the capacitorReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/15/2015
blown capacitor - The plastic cover over the capacitor provides insulation to isolate the capacitor from the metal cap. It should be screwed in place to make sure it doesn't slip off. See our guide on "How To Replace AO Smith Motor Parts - Overview" for an explanation of how the Start Switch and Governor, which engages the Start Switch, are supposed to work.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/15/2015
I replaced the motor on a similar motor. Same specs as the previous capacitor. My first question is. The the plastic cover for the capacitor have to be screwed in place? Does it provide some sort of ground? Also. I'm not sure what you call it. But is there a chance the V shaped part(sorry in a novist) isn't disconnecting once contact is made? The replacement capacitor blew when I replaced it.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/12/2015
John M - Yes, a humming sound is generally a good indication that the motor start capacitor is going bad. You may be able to get it going by tapping the electrical end of the motor, but I would look at replacing the capacitor.Reply
John M Posted: 6/12/2015
Yesterday my pump was running fine. I cut it off to backwash. When I cut it back on it would not start up. It just makes a humming noise. Could this be a capacitor problem? Thank you for your help.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/8/2015
jh47 - This is the wiring configuration for most Hayward capacitor motors with a thermal overload protector. I can't see from your picture if your motor has a protector or not. See "How the Common Capacitor Start Pool Motor Works" for a description of the electrical parts in a capacitor motor. Your wiring shows two yellow wires coming from the power supply and a white/red wire going to the switch. If you have an overload protector one of the yellow wire would be going to the #3 terminal on the overload protector. See step#7 in this guide, "How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Winding Resistance" for wires going to the capacitor. If you don't have an overload protector, your wiring is probably correct. I would take it back to the shop and have them test for a short in your circuit.Reply
jh47 Posted: 6/8/2015
If the configuration of the leads in the image for Step 6 the correct configutation for all pumps/capacitors of that style?Long story: I recently took my pump to the local pool shop to check the pump seal (all good), and they asked if I wanted the capacitor replaced. I said no, as long it looks good. I get it home, hook it back up and the capacitor blows immediately. Pop, smoke, oil, etc. So, I get a new one, and follow your instructions to replace it, but I hook up the leads the way they were arranged on the blown cap (see link to image below). Flip the switch and it blows the new cap too. So now I'm thinking the pool shop incorrectly re-installed the capacitor when it was in there.
Thanks.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qtw9YiwAL6FRJCg0YQS-BWv1NlY0ftoA1z0Fgox5nQc=w560-h995-no
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/31/2015
Blasttsunamisue49 - That's some handle you have! Your low tank water level is probably not due to the motor capacitors. When they are bad, the motor generally just sits there and hums. If you just added your third pump you may have introduced a suction air leak into your piping. Check all new connections to see if one of these is leaking. One pool owner did this by packing plumber's putty around each of the connections (outside) until the pressure went up. Then he knew which connection to replace. Also, you might check to see if any of the pump's impellers are clogged with debris. See our guide on "How To Clean Out a Pool Pump Impeller".Reply
Blasttsunamisue49 Posted: 5/30/2015
What is wrong when the 3 2 speed pumps aren't pumping enough water into the filler to fill it up like it's suppose to do? Could it be faulty capacitors also?Reply
Blasttsunamisue49 Posted: 5/30/2015
I have 3 2 speed pumps on my pool and the newest one is an A.O.Smithcorp UT21000CPP. It's not pumping enough water to fill up filter. What could be the problem? My other 2 pumps are Power Flo Matrix. Help me please. I have 2 kids and they live in the pool in the summer time.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/27/2015
Marc - You could start with replacing the capacitor. It's an inexpensive and easy fix. But your problem is more likely a damaged motor. When you run a motor dry for a period of time, it gets very hot and typically burns out the bearings or coils as well as some of the pump components.Reply
marc Posted: 4/26/2015
my pool filter housing cracked and water drained out. Went out side and pump was not working and was making a humming noise. turned it off,changed new filter system and now when i turn pump on it hums for a few seconds and cuts off. could it be the capacitor or motor bad?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/1/2015
Victor Newman - According to the motor manufacturer, the start capacitor for K48M2P105B1 is part # 5270-29 - 64/77 MFD, 250 Volt. 1 7/16" diameter x 2 3/4" long.Reply
Victor Newman Posted: 3/31/2015
Our above ground 2-speed pool motor hums when started on hi speed. It starts fine on lo speed. It is fine when switched from lo speed to hi speed. Pool guy says start capacitor is shot. There are no markings on the capacitor, too faded to read. He can't locate a start capacitor.I read about a formula to find the correct capacitor: 2650 x FLA divided by supply volts. Our FLA is 10.0 and it is a 230v motor. It works out to 115 MFD. Our motor is a AO Smith K48M2P105B1, 2 HP, 3450/1725 rpm, motor# A100GLL-Y, Type T, Code G. 34107FM.
I have asked Century Electric 2 times for help. Nothing.
Any advice?
Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 3/10/2015
gmark – I don’t think it is the capacitor. A start capacitor is only operational on start up until the motor reaches near full rotation, and then it cuts out. So it wouldn't be cyclic unless the motor is slowing down periodically for some other reason. I would take the motor out of its housing and see if there is debris around the impeller or if the impeller is loose and rubbing against the diffuser. It may also be your motor bearings starting to fail.Reply
gmark Posted: 3/8/2015
Need help, I was hosing off my pump pad and my flo tech pump started making a loud humming sound and smelled like it was melting. This lasted 30 second s or so then started working again. It continues to cycle this wayour constantly every few minutes. Could the capacitor work intermittentlyReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 3/3/2015
Pete – The majority of pumps use an A.O.Smith motor like the one shown in this guide. If your pump uses an A.O.Smith motor (see motor label), wire the capacitor as shown in step #6. If not, I would recommend calling the pump manufacturer.Reply
Pete Posted: 2/28/2015
Hi, I'm replacing my capacitor and don't know which terminals to hook the wires on because it's a different brand. How do I know which one to hook up. Can I damage the pump if I do the wrong one?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 1/29/2015
klst21655 - Sounds like either a bad capacitor or a short in the motor windings. If windings, you will have to replace the motor.Reply
klst21655 Posted: 1/28/2015
My Hayward Super Pump makes a very loud buzzing noise when turned on. The Impeller turns freely but Pump will not run. Capacitator?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/17/2014
csitg - The "POP" would indicate something electrical. Take off the back cover of the motor and check the motor's capacitor (if it has one) and its thermal protector. See our guide on "How the Common Capacitor Start Pool Motor Works" to see where these parts might be.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/16/2014
Motor stopped - See these guides: "How To Determine Why a Motor Won't Start or Shuts Off" and "How To Troubleshoot a Pool Pump Motor - Motor Fails to Start".Reply
csitg Posted: 8/15/2014
I have a Flotec pump, I really don't know how old it is but while walking by it yesterday I heard a "POP" then the pump stopped working. Any suggestions? Thank you.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/14/2014
I have a 1hp Hayward Super Pump. All summer it's been working beautifully. Yesterday it stopped working. We had alot of rain,so I'm guessing that bhad something to do with it. In 20+ years it never happened before. I checked all the breakers etc. I was hoping to find a re-set button. Had no success. Any Ideas?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/15/2014
Raj - The winding in your low speed circuit may be bad. You may have to replace the motor. Check first that your wire connections to the pump terminal are tight.Reply
Raj Posted: 5/15/2014
I have an AO smith K48L2A1 motor in my spa.The pump will not start at low speed, it simply hums and then stops. The pump will start at high speed and will run at low speed once it has been started (no load).
I had both the start and run capacitor tested, and they passed. But to be sure, I replaced the start capacitor anyway (original 124-149) (replacement 130-156MFD). But this still hasn't resolved anything, and the pump will hum and not start at the low speed.
Any ideas what to try next?
Thanks
Raj
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