If your pool pump motor starts but shuts down unexpectedly it is probably overloaded and the thermal overload protection device has tripped. This guide discusses what to look for to correct this issue.
Please click here to view our pool motor troubleshooting guide
Carol Posted: 7/26/2017
Just replaced motor on pool. Hayward super pump 1.0 to a new pump with same specs. Motor keeps overheating and shuts down. Volt and amp are good. Ideas?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/9/2017
Al - If it is humming, you may have a bad start capacitor. Try replacing that first. See our guide on "How To Replace a Pool Pump Capacitor". If that doesn't work or your pressure is still high, see our guide on "How to Reduce High Pressure in Your Pool System".Reply
Al Posted: 7/4/2017
I have a Hayward powerful LX pump. It ran at the start of the season but the pressure was too high and it was really difficult to bump.i took it apart and cleaned the fingers, replaced it and it ran for about 20 seconds and shut down. It tripped the breakers and every tone I try to restart it it continues to trip . Any ideas? Now it just hums then tripsReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/30/2017
brainfart - If your motor was running dry for three hours, it may have been permanently damaged. It does have a thermal protector that shuts the motor off as it heats up then allows the motor to restart after it cools. If this cycle happened many times over the 3 hour period, it finally stops working. I'd take the motor into a place that can check it to see if it is damaged beyond repair.Reply
brainfart Posted: 6/28/2017
I took my TurboCell in for testing (it's dead) and did not disengage the auto on switch before my motor. I was planning to put it right back on but didn't get to it until this morning and the pump had been attempting to run for about 3 hours. It was doing nothing when I went out there and now with the TurboCell back on, the motor starts and shuts down after about 20 seconds. Am I screwed? It seems like it is trying to run as normal for those 20 seconds.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/24/2017
Anonymous (stuck motor) - I'd check the capacitor again. Also, check that the governor is not stuck open. It disengages the start switch when the motor gets up to speed. See our guide on "How To Replace the Governor on an AO Smith Motor". Then, do a continuity check on the motor winding to make sure they don't have a short in them.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/22/2017
I am having a problem with my motor, it just hums and won't start. However if I turn the shaft it will start up and run all day. I have changed the start capacitor and verified that the starter switch is working fine. I am at a loss, the motor ran fine last year when I bought it, this year it ran fine for a couple of weeks than all of a sudden it would not start. Nothing is jammed, the shaft spins freely. Anybody got any ideas ?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/30/2017
charles - You probably should have changed the pump's impeller and possibly its diffuser. When you downgraded your pump's motor that had a total HP of 1.125 (3/4 HP x 1.5 SF) to a motor with a THP of 3/4 HP (3/4 x 1.0) without changing the impeller, the smaller motor had to do the work of the larger motor and probably failed. Not sure why this occurred when you changed filter modes. Did you remember to turn off the pump before you changed modes?Reply
charles Posted: 5/30/2017
I recently replaced my pump. Now when I switch from one setting to another (rinse / backwash / filter) the fuse trips. From previous comments it sounds like the impeller. I didn't change the impeller. The old pump was 3/4HP with SF of 1.5. The new pump is 3/4HP with SF of 1. Do I need to change the impeller?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/29/2017
DAVID - I do not understand the correlation between the multiport valve (MPV) on the filter and the pump shutting down. The pump should be off when you rotate the handle on the MPV. When you try to turn the pump back on after changing to backwash, does it fail to start?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/29/2017
Smoked - Check the gauge of wire between your pump and the circuit breaker. If you have a long run, you may have to go up a gauge of two. If that's good, you may have to invest in a new motor.Reply
DAVID Posted: 5/27/2017
We have an Hayward SP1580X15 Power-Flo LX 1.5hp pump. When I go to backwash the filter pump shuts down. I replaced the pump thinking it was bad. The new one is doing the same thing. We have a sand filter and no pressure gage. Any idea's as to what could be the problem?Reply
Smoked Posted: 5/26/2017
I have a 1.0 HP Hayward Superpump that's about 5 years old or so. Recently, it got hot and shut down. It's plugged into a GFCI, which was blackened around the plug. The wiring inside the junction box at the pump got hot enough to melt one of the wire nuts in half, causing it to fall off. I cut the wire back and re-wired the pump. It clicked a few times and then was silent. Is it fixable or is it more cost effective to replace the pump motor?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/3/2017
JR - If you replaced the impeller recently, I would concentrate on that. Make sure you have the correct replacement impeller. It has to match the total HP calculated for your motor, not the HP. Total HP rating is calculated by multiplying the listed HP on the motor label with the motor's Service Factor (SF). If the impeller is a size larger than the original, it will require greater torque than the motor can deliver and overheat quickly. Also, check that the new shaft seal was seated correctly. If it is not on straight, it will add friction to the rotating motor and cause it to overheat.Reply
JR Posted: 5/2/2017
Have a Century AO Smith B849 that was replaced about 3 years ago, and the impeller was replaced just a couple months ago. Pool ran fine for a while then recently it started doing a start loop. It tries to start up, I can immediately see water moving in the clear top pump filter basket, but then stops within a few seconds. Then it tries again in a few minutes, but never gets actually running. Pool man says I need a new pump, but the first pump lasted 16 years, and the same pump (B849) the 2nd time lasts only 3 years? Doesn't seem right?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 3/6/2017
Voltboy - Sounds like an issue with your Jandy RS control board. You will probably have to call Jandy (now Zodiac) on this one. Their number is 800-822-7933.Reply
Voltboy Posted: 3/2/2017
Ok check this out. When my epump starts up on its normal daily time it knocks my RS control panel offline. at the end of the time it turns off like normal and shows my panel back online and I can use any of the other pumps of features again. but while my main pump is on I can't do a thing on my iaqualink or the board. Wifi is showing still connected on the iaqualing box.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 1/25/2017
MickeyGzzz - If your motor just hums and won't turn over, it's probably due to a bad start capacitor. I would replace the start capacitor. If that doesn’t work, you may have a short in the motor windings.Reply
MickeyGzzz Posted: 1/25/2017
I have a pump with a start capacitor on the rear end of the motor and have a run capacitor on the top of the motor.I swapped out the run capacitor on the top motor gets juice but only humming. Impellers are free moving
Would my next step to replace the start capacitor?
Thank you
Mick
Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/11/2016
Bob - Sorry for the delay. we had a system issue. The replacement speed controller for your VS JEP1.5 pump is not in our system yet. I will see if is available and get back to you.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/11/2016
glurge - Does the motor just hum when you turn it on? If so, you may have a bad start capacitor. See our guide on "How To Replace a Pool Pump Capacitor".Reply
Glurge Posted: 10/10/2016
I have a US Motors 1081 Pool Motor 1.0 HP Model C55CXKMB-5012. It is fairly new only a few months in service. Today I tried to run it and it comes on for a few seconds, sounds like nothing is spinning and then cuts off. Any idea what is happening. It was working fine the previous day??Reply
Bob Posted: 10/4/2016
I just spoke with Jandy tech support. They said there's no replacement parts in the speed control box on the motor. It's a Gen II model JEP 1.5, by the way. Also said the speed control is now available without the motor, and to see about getting one installed. Would not sell me one. It's a recent release, part number R0688600. Can you give me a quote for one? I included my email address. Thanks again!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/3/2016
Bob - Your pump problem could well be that you run capacitor is starting to fail. They are fairly inexpensive. I would try replacing it. As the capacitor fails, the terminal end of the capacitor starts to bow out.Reply
Bob Posted: 10/1/2016
I have a 1.5 HP motor Jandy Stealth pump with an AO Smith motor, about 4 years old. It was running fine, but then started running at varying speeds and stopping. It does not trip any breakers. If left alone it will start and run and pump, then stop after about 45 seconds. I've checked and there are no blockages, it seems electrical or controls related. Could this be due to the run capacitor going out? Thank you for offering all the advice to everyone!Reply
Michael Posted: 7/30/2019
Bob. I have had the same thing happen on my stealth. It's been shitty because I replaced fuses and reset the control box, just waisted so much time. I can run my pump at a low power, about 2400 without it shutting down, which I think indicated it is the thermostat related shut off getting over heated. I still hope I can find a mechanical reason for the struggle, but otherwise my main issue is replacing it and find a great pump which won't require too much replumbing. Did you solve your problem?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/7/2016
pump stumped - Check to make sure you are getting 220V to the pump motor. If you have an older pump, it might be time to replace it. However you only have to change the motor. According to your specs, here is a link to your replacement motor.Reply
pump stumped Posted: 9/5/2016
I have a 1.5 Hp xp2 flow-master 220 volt pump . This is the main circulation pump in my bull Frog Spa. The pump is getting very hot and cycles off and back on once it cools down. I have switched the power from pump 1 and 2 on the circuit board and the other pump works fine so I have ruled out a relay I am guessing. Is their anything else I can do before I replace the entire pump? Any info would be appreciated .Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/30/2016
1.5 HP impeller - If the pool service guy thinks it's the impeller, I would have that looked at first. They are relatively easy to replace and much cheaper than a new motor. See our guide on "How To Replace A Pool Pump Impeller".Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/29/2016
My pool motor Hayward C4812N134C1 1.5 hp was put in 4 years ago, now not working my pool service guy said it is the impeller but said it is better to replace than repair as it may be something else. I changed my filter to 150 SQF clean and clear 3 months ago. Any suggestions if should consider fixing or replacing pump?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/16/2016
2HP Jandy pump - When you shelter the pump, leave enough room around it for ventilation. Also, you might consider elevating the pump with additional pavers to help keep the motor vents free of debris. One customer did this and found a significant reduction in motor heat.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/15/2016
Thanks for your prompt response. I think rather than pay $100 to have it checked and then an inflated price for a new motor, I will simply buy a new motor and put it in. I find 6 years on a motor a bit short but hot environment, rain, and direct sun is probably a harsh environment. I think I'll cover the equipment to see if I can get a longer life. Thanks again!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/15/2016
2HP Jandy pump - If your pump is pushing water for even a second, you are past the startup circuits. I don't think a bad thermal protector would let your motor start, and if it did, it wouldn't overheat in a second. Low voltage might have been a problem, but you checked that. 6 years is an average life for a motor, so you may be due for a replacement. You might have the motor checked at a pool or engine store to see if they can find an answer.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/13/2016
2hp switchless Jandy pump just stopped working. It hums for 1 sec and shuts off. It does move water during that second. Motor shafts spins freely as does impeller. Capicator checked ok but replaced with new one anyway. Voltage to pump ok. Still same behavior.Can you help? Any thing else to check. Is it possible thermal protector is bad or must I replace a motor after only 6 years?
Thanks
Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/10/2016
Beyondfustrated - It sounds like your impeller is too big for your new motor and is overworking the motor - trying to push more water than the motor is designed for. Your pump id of S2444T is really the designation of your filter, so I don't know what pump you have. I guessing it is a Hayward Super Pump. If you have a 1 HP Super Pump with a Service Factor (SF) of 1.1 (on the motor label), you have an uprated motor and your impeller should be SPX2607C. See our guide "How To Understand True Pump Horsepower - Up Rated vs Full Rated" for an explanation of an "uprated motor".Reply
Beyondfrustrated Posted: 8/9/2016
We have a Hayward S244T Pro Series 1HP pump. Every year the motor goes out and we have it replaced The service company cannot tell me why this is happening. This last time they replaced the impeller and now the motor overheats within several hours and shuts off after it cools off it can be restarted. This has never happened before in the past. I have had an electrician out and he tells me it is not electrical. The motor is a century 1hp as well. Any insight on what the possible cause of our motor issues could be?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/28/2016
DC - Unfortunately, we do not carry that brand of pump. Try calling Blue Torrent a 516-796-1626 to see if they can isolate your problem. Also, check to see if it is still under warranty.Reply
DC Posted: 7/27/2016
We have a 1.5 blue torrent variable speed pump. it stopped working yesterday, it has all the lights lit up red but will not power on. This is only our 2nd season with this pump. Help?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/7/2016
Bigboatswife - I would guess that your motor windings have shorted out and that your will have to replace the pump motor.Reply
Bigboatswife Posted: 7/4/2016
HELP!!!! We had a major downpour over night the filter and pump were running overnight as well. When we woke up we noticed the pump stopped working it was sitting in a pool of water! The water has since drained off and the pump still will not start. ANY SUGGESTIONS??? has a HAYWARD model C48K2N143B1 HP1 SP1607Z1MReply