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
Chris Pursino Posted: 10/14/2021
I replaced my Century 1.65hp variable speed motor about 3 weeks ago with the exact same motor. I installed it myself and it was working fine until tonight. It turned on for about 5 mins and then turned off and won't go back on. I checked the wires and that power is going to the motor. I turned off the breakers for about 5 mins so that the motor could do a reset. Still nothing. Any ideas what could be the cause? TIAReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/15/2021
Go to page 28 of the VGreen 1.65 manual for the troubleshooting guide. Unfortunately, there is no LCD screen display on the 1.65, so it can't flash any error codes to at least point you in the direction of the fault. After reviewing the guide and your motor's symptoms, I would lean towards an issue with the motor shaft. Check to see if it is locked or bent. You can also make sure dipswitches, and the user interface is connected correctly. andReply
Hayward super pump single speed cutting off Posted: 9/20/2021
So my pool pump started humming and cutting off, naturally I think it’s the CAP so I pull it out and test it it’s reading 157uF and it rated from 161-192uF so I replaced the CAP. Still have the same issue I have 240vac at the pump and it’s set on the 230v setting. I took the switch out and it had carbon build up on the contacts so I filled them down but still have the same problem. By hand the pump rotates smooth no binding or grinding Could it be the thermal switch? Has anyone had this issue?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/20/2021
My next move would be to check the motor windings. You have replaced the capacitor, confirmed voltages, and the shaft spins freely but the motor just hums. That sounds like a typical scenario for bad windings. How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Winding ResistanceReply
Jack McDonaugh Posted: 9/12/2021
I just replaced my pool moter, and when I turn it on, it runs for a minute then cuts off.Reply
Chad Posted: 11/18/2021
Did you ever figure it out?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/13/2021
We mention testing the motor circuit in this guide. Have you done any of that?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/20/2020
I replaced the 3 way switch last year every since then when running the pump on high it will run several mins then shuts off but then i can switch it on low and it works fine any ideas ????Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/2/2020
i would lean towards an issue with the cuircuit, either stemming from the breaker or the wires feeding the motor are compromised. Give this guide a once over, see if any of the symptoms apply to your particular situation, My Pool Pump Runs On Low Speed But Not On High SpeedReply
Brian Posted: 4/7/2020
Just replaced a Hayward 1 hp pump and seal. Pump will hum when turned on and won’t rotate, hand turned the impeller and it runs fine. Turn it off and it hums again ?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/9/2020
The capacitor may be compromised, or the circuit is not providing enough voltage. These are a couple of guides to get you started troubleshooting: How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Voltage, How to Test a Pool Pump CapacitorReply
David Posted: 2/16/2020
I recently replaced my pool pump, which was a 1.25hp, SF 1.00 with a 1.00hp, SF1.25 pump and now it keeps overheating and shutting off every 20-30 min. Do I need to switch back to the 1.25hp pump? ThanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 2/17/2020
Those two motors are essentially the same thing; there should be no issue with replacing one with the other. Have you checked to make sure it is wired correctly? i.e., have the motor set to the correct voltage, and that all lines are secured to the terminals.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/28/2019
Brand new motor and impeller, motor kicks on and runs like a champ then winds down ti nothing in 10 sec but i can still hear power to the motorReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/29/2019
Did you check that motor is wired correctly and set to the right voltage? Also, did you do any of the circuit checks mentioned in the guide?Reply
Kevin M Posted: 6/16/2019
My pool pump stops for just a second or two then restarts it will do this several times an hour..It doesnt have anything to do with heat because it will do this shortly after I turn it on.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/17/2019
Did you check the voltage and the amperage of the circuit?Reply
Michael Theriault Posted: 5/21/2019
My new motor (UST 1102) turns on and runs but turns off after 15 minutes. When it starts I can hear a bunch of clicks while it's running. It's as if it's trying to turn off and then back on....like a switch. After 15 minutes of this, it shuts down. Thoughts?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/21/2019
The UST1102 motor is a dual voltage motor, which comes wired from the factory to accept 230 volts. If you apply 115 volts to the motor without switching the motor to its 115 setting, it will not ramp up to its full 3450 RPMs. Because it is not at full speed, the centrifugal switch on the motor is not going to stay open, but instead open and close. The clicking sounds may be your switch.Reply
Leland Chandler Posted: 5/16/2019
I have a 2.0 HP century pool pump, and it will come on for about 5 seconds and then turn off, it's pushing water to the pool during that time, but then just shuts off, is it my pump or something else that is wrong?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/16/2019
Have you checked the voltage or the amperage?Reply
Scott Knowles Posted: 12/31/2019
What do you do if the voltage is off? Your solution is to check the voltage but nothing explaining what to do if it is off. Can you elaborate?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/6/2020
If this is an existing circuit that has just recently presenting an issue, the common culprit is an overload of the circuit. Have you recently added a piece of equipment to the motor's circuit? Or have you upgraded the size of your motor?Reply
Leland Chandler Posted: 5/16/2019
Wasn't sure where to check voltage and amperage on my motor.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 5/17/2019
Check out our guide titled "How to Use a Clamp Ammeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Amperage".Reply
ANISSA A RICHARDSON Posted: 4/22/2019
My dad just installed a new pump for the swimming pool but it shuts off immediately after turning on. It's the same size as what he just took off but this one has to be plugged in. What do we need to be looking for? I have a video too I'd you want me to send. Thanks!!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 4/23/2019
Hello Anissa - You'll want to verify the voltage of the old pump and make sure the voltage of the new pump is the same. It's possible that the old pump was 230v and the new one is 115v.Reply
david Posted: 3/16/2019
i have a jacuzzi bathtub how long is it safe to run the pump motor after about 45 mins to an hour the motor kicks off the voltage is good the breaker doesn't kick the motor itself kicks off. Just wondering if its just running to long. thanks davidReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/18/2019
Most, if not all, pool and spa motors are listed as Continuous Duty which means it could be run non-stop. Are you sure it isn't on a timer?Reply
Frustrated Posted: 11/1/2018
I have a Hayward Proline panel box and a Single speed pump motor. The motor has started shutting off after about 15 minutes. We thought it was the motor since it was quite some yrs old but the new motor is doing the same thing. The turbo cell is also showing no flow. It was working fine before we had a hurricane on Oct 10th. I flipped the power off before the storm and then after turning on and back washed about 4 times during vacuuming sand out of the pool. After this it started shutting off after 15 minutes. I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this out.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 11/2/2018
It's a good possibility that the pump motor is alright and that the problem is in the configuration of the ProLogic. If 'flow monitoring' is enabled in the configuration then this is a frequent occurrence. To disable 'flow monitoring' of the pump, follow these steps at the ProLogic's front panel:Press the menu button until 'Config Menu' displays. The screen will say 'locked'.Press and hold both the left and the right arrow together for about five seconds. The screen will show 'unlocked'Press the right arrow until 'Filter Config' displays. Press the plus button once.Press the right arrow until 'Flow Monitor' displays. It will show 'Enabled' if this is the cause of the problem.To toggle 'Flow Monitor' to 'Disabled' just press the plus button once then press the menu button once to exit.When the filter pump restarts it should run for a full timed cycle.Reply
P Cronin Posted: 12/5/2020
Thank you for posting this solution! I've been struggling with this issue for a week. I have been on a "callback" list from Hayward for over 2 days with no response. Thanks again!Reply
Shea Harrell Posted: 11/2/2018
Thank you Robert. I will try this and let you know if it worked (fingers crossed).Reply
Shea Harrell Posted: 11/2/2018
Robert - You are worth your weight in gold. I did exactly what you said and the pump is still running and has been 3 1/2 hours and it looks like the chlorinator flow is also working. Were these instructions suppose to fix the no flow on the chlorinator also?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 11/5/2018
We're glad to hear everything is working. Yes, the fix to the no flow on the chlorinator would be a byproduct of the pump working correctly.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/25/2017
Doug - If it worked well before being submerged and doesn't now, the water probably damaged some of the electrical circuits. Try taking the motor into a pool store to see if they can test it for you. Here is a guide on "How To Replace AO Smith Motor Parts - Overview" that shows you what electrical parts may be involved. Also, look at our guide on "How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Winding Resistance" to check out the motor windings.Reply
Doug Posted: 9/23/2017
I have a roaring river 1hp pump that when its under load it shuts off after 4 sec when not under load runs fine the pump is 3 months old it ran dry during the hurricane and got submerged for two days pulled it out dryed it out now it comes on but shuts off under load worked fine before the stormReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/30/2017
Charles - If your motor's thermal breaker is tripping frequently, this is an indication that your motor is running too hot and its current level is too high. Look for easy fixes first like blocked air vents or a bad capacitor. See our guide on "How To Troubleshoot a Pool Pump Motor - Motor Overheated". However, if this overheating issue has been a problem for awhile, chances are high that it has caused shortages in the windings which escalate the current problem and eventually leads to total failure.Reply
Charles Posted: 7/28/2017
I have a jandy 1 1/2 HP single speed pump. I have gotten so the thermal breaker is tripping. The unit is 3 years old and runs year round in that we have water features with our pool. We also have an electric Heat pump heater as well as a Solar Attic Solar system in the loop. we have had no issues with the system until recently. I am thinking of making a change to a 2HP 2 speed system (Jandy flopro) ... What would cause the current motor to trip. I have cleaned the filter checked the flow etc.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/27/2017
Carol - Check that your new motor has the same total HP [HPxSF) as the old motor. They could both say 1 HP but if the product of HP times service factor (SF) is not the same, you might have substituted a smaller motor into your pump. Since the impeller did not change, it would be trying to push the same amount of water through the pump as the bigger motor, and it would overheat.Reply