Questions & answers help diagnose and fix water pump short cycling on and off.

This article series explains how to diagnose all of the various causes of well pump short cycling - what causes the well pump to run too often or to turn on and off too rapidly.

Q&A on Causes of Well Pump Short Cycling

These recently-posted questions & answers about diagnosing a short-cycling well pump or pump control switch were originally discussed at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES - be sure to read that article.

Short cycling of a water pump which is defined at SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP means that the water pump or "well pump" turns on and off too rapidly or too frequently when water is being run in the building.

If this is the problem with your water pump, this article (below) describes the most common causes of this problem.

The most-common cause of pump short-cycling is loss of air in the water pressure tank.

If you have no water flow (no water pressure) at all, see NO WATER PRESSURE

Or try these three water and pump diagnostic guides

• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 2: PUMP RUNS, WEAK or NO WATER PRESSURE
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 3: PUMP RUNS, NO WATER or INSUFFICIENT WATER
  

On 2018-08-30 by (mod) - ringing water pipes

Rick

Our water system in Mexico had a similar noise problem that we determined was a pipe whistle because of the velocity of water in the system. Typically you can slightly close a control valve to change the water flow rate to stop the noise.

Try closing your main Supply just a little bit and let me know if that helps.

On 2018-08-29 by Rick Watson

I live in Mexico where we have a 1100L Rotoplas tank that is hooked up to a pressurized pump.

The maintenance guys have done some adjustment to the pump and now we get a extremely loud ringing coming from our shower. The piping is all plastic and the only metal is the shower head and extension.

I have taken them off and the ringing still exists so I know that nothing is hitting the showerhead.

The ringing at times can get extremely loud and last for several seconds and I have found that by turning on a tap in the bathroom sink for instance will cause the ringing to ease off but not stop it completely. Can anyone come up with a suggestion as to what is causing this and to stop it.

On 2018-08-21 by (mod) -

See

WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Tank_Air_Charge.php

On 2018-08-21 by Lee

I left my water on for several hours and I'm sure the tank drained almost empty now and it filled back up and it is short cycling how do I correct that problem

On 2018-08-09 by James

Any idea why a pressure guage indicates a higher pressure after each cycle, yet pressure at the faucet shows a constant equivalent pressure of where the Square D switches off?

On 2018-07-24 by (mod) -

Shut off water into the building.

If the behaviour continues then look for a leak in well piping or at a foot valve or check valve. Search this site for INTERMITTENT PUMP CYCLING to read details.

On 2018-07-24 15:52:30.373881 by well pump switch cycling

My switch cycles on and at 40 psi then goes to 70 psi shuts off and pressure drops back down to 40 psi then does this all over again. Could find no leaks. Water pressure fluctuation is obvious when water faucet is on. Ideas?

On 2018-06-23 02:47:50.956638 by (mod) -

I would start with the review of the causes of short cycling in the article above on this page.

On 2018-06-23 00:30:06.676810 by Anonymous

My well pump kicks on and off very rapidly replaced points still does it any info would be great

On 2018-05-22 22:34:25.210549 by (mod) -

Kurtis:

I suspect sand has fouled the impeller and maybe bearings in your pump. It may be salvageable by disassembly and cleaning. And you need to move or protect your pump pick up foot valve from so much sand.


Roger


Sounds as if the problem with your pump short cycling is perhaps one of those discussed on the page above. Please take a look and let me know what questions remain.

On 2018-05-22 by (mod) -

Sounds as if the problem with your pump short cycling is perhaps one of those discussed

at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES. Please take a look and let me know what questions remain.

On 2018-05-22 by Kurtis

I have a shallow well pump system that runs from the river, I had huge amount of sand coming threw my taps. I replaced the water in with a temp setup a garden hose and sump pump to get the water to my main pump. Now my pump kicks on and off constantly and is getting hot. Any help as to why would be much appreciated

On 2018-05-22 by Roger

I have good water pressure, but my pump kicks on and within 4 seconds kicks off and then back on 10 seconds later. I never lose pressure.

On 2018-05-09 by (mod) - pump turns on but won't turn off

Raymond

See the diagnosis and repair suggestions at WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

I suspect a debris clogged or burned or otherwise defective pressure control switch but there could be other causes such as a leak in well piping.

On 2018-05-09 by Raymond

Pressure switch kicks on and does not want to kick off for no reason even with water not running can it be a bad switch

On 2018-04-22 by (mod) -

If the pump runs and no pressure builds in the water system then no water is being delivered - perhaps due to a dry well or due to a damaged pump impeller (or disconnected water piping from the well)

If the pump runs and pressure builds in the water system (water comes out of the taps) but pressure does not build in the water pressure tank then water is not entering the tank - perhaps due to a tank bladder stuck to itself or a closed valve that should be open.

On 2018-04-21 by Tom

When my water is running the switch will go on and off not really building psi in the tank I switched the switch on the tank same thing happens could the bladder in the tank be bad

On 2018-03-24 by (mod) -

Rick

Most-likely, if your pump won't stay on enough to build water pressure either your well has run out of water or the pressure control switch needs repair or replacement.

John C.

Please see the pump short-cycling causes in the article above, as what you describe suggests you've landed in the right article.

On 2018-03-24 by (mod) -

Rick Most-likely, if your pump won't stay on enough to build water pressure either your well has run out of water or the pressure control switch needs repair or replacement.

On 2018-03-24 by Rick C

I'm losing water pressure and I can here the pump kick on for a few seconds and back off

On 2018-03-05 by John C

My bladder tank pump turns on every 3 minutes and runs for 30 seconds. 3 minutes later it turns on and runs for 30 seconds again. This continuously 24/7 even when no water is being used.

On 2018-02-06 by (mod) -

Sounds liike an improperly set switch or one that is de bria clogged, not sensing pressure. Perhaps the gauge is also stuck.

On 2018-02-05 by Carri

Are pump is short cycling. The bladder is not broke, but the pressure gauge reads at 54, drops to 51 and kicks in. The pressure tank is only 2 years old. There doesn’t seem to have much water in it.

On 2018-01-23 by (mod) -

A.D.
Check the diagnostic and repair suggestions starting at the top of this page. Let me what questions remain.

On 2018-01-23 by A.D. Morelock

when ater turns on the pump starts shortcyccle

On 2018-01-11 by Pat

the pump turns on at 30 lbs, like it is supposed to do, but stops at about 43 lbs. But the control switch does not break contact. After about 45 seconds, the pump turns on again and then turns off at 50 by the control switch breaking contact, as designed. Is the problem in the pump?

On 2018-01-07 by (mod) -

Karen

My best advice is in the article above. Or if you prefer to see a succinct table of causes of short-cycling well pumps see https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pump_Short_Cycle_Table.php

On 2018-01-07 by Karen

My well pressure switch on my pressure tank for my will is short cycle

On 2018-01-05 23:14:37.829918 by (mod) -

Robert,

Intermittent water pump cycling which is discussed atINTERMITTENT WATER PUMP CYCLING When No Water is Running means that the water pump comes on for no apparent reason.

See https://inspectapedia.com/water/Intermittent-Water-Pump-Cycling.php

On 2018-01-05 by Robertsrobert49@yahoo.com

My well pump turns on and off ever 15 to 20 minutes ,even in not use. What is wrong.

On 2017-12-20 by (mod) -

John,

Short cycling will use more electrical energy but the more immediate problem is damage to the pump motor

On 2017-12-20 by John

Does this lead to excessive usage of power....???

On 2017-10-29 by Dave

I replaced the pressure tank but now the water stops after a few minutes then comes back on

On 2017-08-23 by iacoangeli44

Well pump short cycles when faucet is open. There is no water coming out of the valve stem when depressed, pressure is 27-29 psi so I'm assuming bladder and tank is ok. I just replaced pressure switch to no avail. Water is free flowing and has good pressure.

Lately the water has been cloudy at taps at first. Any ideas what could be causing the short cycling? Thanks

On 2017-07-19 by (mod) -

Thanks Mike. We work really hard on making these articles accurate and useful so I'm particularly happy when a reader finds the information helpful.

Questions and criticism - though more painful - are also both helpful and welcome.

Daniel

On 2017-07-19 by Mike

Excellent article. My well was short cycling. Your article helped me to quickly diagnose that it was a clogged filter. 15 minute fix. Thank you!!!

On 2017-07-06 by (mod) -

Probably a running toilet, a leak in piping somewhere, or a bad foot valve in your well. Use the search box just above to find our article on

INTERMITTENT WELL PUMP CYCLING

To read details about the causes of this problem and it's diagnosis and repair.

On 2017-07-02 by Sue

Why does our new pump keep going at night when we are not using water. We are on tank water.

On 2017-07-01 by Mike

I have a submersible deep well pum that fills a 300 gallon tank then a common house pump that pumps the water froam the tank to the house.

A few nights ago the plastic nipple that was attached to output hole on pump let go ( cross threaded by plumber recently) and pump pumped tank dry and submersible pump tripped the pumptec protection system. I repaired the plumbing and turned on the submersible pump to fill the large tank before starting the house pump.

The submersible pump ran for about 30 seconds then tripped off. I tried a couple more times wirh the same result. Water is going into tge tank when it is on for the brief time. I took the pumptec protection system apart and the coil appeared to be burned so i replaced it and the new one is acting the same? What is my problem? Thanks

On 2017-06-20 by Solomon Schechter - I hear a clicking sound every 10 seconds or so

My pump cut out sometime last night and I am about an hour from town. I am trying to diagnose the issue so I know what to purchase while in town. The pressure switch points look like they have a fair amount of corrosion on them, but I dont think that is the issue.

I took my electrical tester wand and the wires to the pressure switch are live, the wires to the silver box on the wall are live, as are the wires coming from the circuit breaker next to it. In the "silver box on the wall",

I hear a clicking sound every 10 seconds or so like a relay engaging, then another click seconds later as if it is disengaging. I have zero pressure to the tank and the pump does not seem to be running even though my electrical tester wand says there is power in the wires. The power cycles in and out when the relay engages/disengages.

Could it be a faulty relay, or is the corrosion on the pressure switch the culprit? Thanks for your help.

On 2017-06-19 by Pru

Water pump is continuously ON when not in use for laundry

On 2017-06-19 by Ronnie

My pump has been kicking on through out the night for the past month and nobody is running the water dose anyone know what could cause this

On 2017-05-22 by (mod) -

TB

Possibly: debris clogging in the pressure control switch, or dirty fouled points in the switch, or a loose wire connection.

On 2017-05-22 by tburg398

My pump is working great and the system is working fine with the following exception.

When the water pressure gets low enough, the pump will kick in as it should but when it first kicks in, after it first starts, it will stop after about 1 or 2 seconds and then restart right away and run fine for the rest of the cycle.

Every time that a new cycle starts it will again stop after about 1 second and then immediately restart and run fine through the rest of the cycle...... what could cause this?

On 2017-05-19 by (mod) -

Possibly a debris clogged pressure control switch, and I have also seen this problem when there's a restriction in the output at the pump or pressure tank such as a clogged water filter.

On 2017-05-19 1 by apostma

Shallow well waterpump runs up to pressure but than rapidly turns on and off several times! What could be the cause?

On 2017-05-08 by (mod) -

Sounds as if the tank is waterlogged; IF the tank uses an internal bladder the bladder has failed. CHeck the tank brand and model - that should tell us what sort you've got. You can also send us a photo using the page top or bottom CONTACT link.

On 2017-05-07 by Matt

Air check valve leaks water when cap is removed, tank is short cycling not sure if it's a bladder system reads around 40psi at rest. Should I drain tank and replace air valve?

On 2017-05-06 by (mod) - When your pump is cycling on at regular intervals

Bill,

When your pump is cycling on at regular intervals, and you are absolutely certain that no water is running in the building, then I suspect a leak and well piping or a bad foot valve. The fact that you're well as sending ups and could point to a damaged well casing or low water levels in the World - a separate problem.

Try turning off water into your home on the house side of the pressure tank. If recycling problem continues, then we know that the leak is on the well side of the house piping not on the house side.

If the cycling stops when you turn off water into the house, then there probably is something running in the house that you didn't notice, such as a running toilet.

On 2017-05-04 by Anonymous

to add to my short cycles I am now picking up sand

On 2017-05-04 by bill

my well pump short cycles every 10 minutes but I have found no leeks in the house

On 2017-04-25 by (mod) -

Mike

I can't really guess if/when the water supply will run clear all the time, as wells and their environment vary so widely.

On 2017-04-25 by Mike m

It has to be a under ground pump, There is no above ground tank. 1 horse power pump as per irrigation installer to properly function the sprinkler system. The well installer said it may take time for the water to clear up, and in fairness it has improved drastically from what I can see with just time and running it both for 15 min cycles and for 12 plus hours at a time.

Like I said earlier to me it looks clear almost all the time except for now like 3 seconds, which occurs about 30 seconds after pump starts. I'm wondering if I continue to run it as I have been for another few days, will it just run clear all the time ?

On 2017-04-24 by (mod) -

Mike:

I would suggest discussing the exact well specifications with your well installer. In particular, it might help to raise the pump or foot valve up a few more feet above the well bottom. (you don't say if it's a submersible pump in the well or a 2 line jet pump with an above ground pump and foot valve in the well)

On 2017-04-24 by Mike m

New irrigation well just installed a few weeks ago. Prior to connected to irrigation system well connected to hose to the street to see the water clarity. Started very silty and cloudy. Been running on and off for the better part of a week -2 weeks.

Now clear upon start up with about 3 seconds worth of silt coming through then appears clear for hours.

This is a dramatic improvement as the amount of time silty or cloudy water has gone from a few minutes of flow to now a few seconds. Will this continue to improve to all clear all the time as this is needed prior to the water being connected to irrigation system. The silt cannot go into the sprinkler system ....

Any thoughts,

On 2017-04-17 by (mod) -

Something's wrong with the pressure sensing and switch - I think.
Once a pump turns off it ought not re-start until pressure falls below the CUT-in pressure.
Or perhaps your gauge is debris-clogged and pressure readings are off, adding confusion to the analysis.

When you replaced the switch if there was rust or debris in the small diameter tube that conducts water pressure to the switch the new one could be clogged too.

On 2017-04-17 by Fraser

The pressure control switch is new, it was replaced when I moved in since there is leaking at the cross section.

But actually I went a little bit extreme. Since the original pressure tank has a lot of rust at the bottom and rust spots all over, I just replaced it (I bought a tank after I moved in and it just sit next to the old one, since I want to replace it in case the old one fails) and along with the pressure switch and gauge.

It seems it does not fix the problem. Let me describe the problem a little bit more accurately: at the 40psi, the pump started, and it will run for around 30 seconds, and pressure reaches 47/48psi.

then it stops for 30 seconds. then it runs for another 10 seconds (up 2psi) , stops for 30 seconds. runs for 10 seconds (up 2psi), stops for 30 seconds. on and on until it reaches 60psi.

And if I cut off the power when it stops before it reaches 60psi, e.g., 50psi, and wait for more than 5 minutes, and then turn the power back on, it will run for a little bit longer, up to 30 seconds (add 7/8 psi). It seems for whatever the reason, the max time the pump will run is around 30 seconds (add 7/8 psi), and it depends on how long it has been stopped (but once stopped over 10 minutes, it does not matter if stopped 10 minutes or 30 minutes).

I don't know if I my water level has dropped dramatically (but if that's the case, it seems the water are refilled pretty fast, 30 seconds to trigger the pump to run again), or the pump is sensing something, overheat, unbalanced (damaged impeller, or...). This is a tricky case, ahhhhh.

On 2017-04-17 by (mod) -

I'm not sure, Fraser. Possibly there is a leak in well piping or a cracked, damaged well casing that's letting soil into the well, OR the well water level has dropped dramatically. That, combined with a pump protection device or circuit that stops the pump if it's not moving water, could be what's going oni.

An inexpensive thing to try is replacing the pressure control switch, on the chance that its pressure sensor has become debris-clogged. That won't fix the debris problem nor a low water in well problem but it may address the start-stop problem you're having.

Keep me posted.

On 2017-04-16 by Fraser

I moved into a house with a submersible pump a few month ago, and the water pressure is the original one which is 17 years old. I don't have problems with the water and the pump is running normally, starts at 40psi and stops at 60psi. Recently i noticed that I got brown water and also lost of water pressure (sometimes completely out of water).

So I took a look of the tank and the switch/gauge.

The pump still starts at 40psi and stops at 60psi. But between 40 and 60, it is not running continuously, instead it is running for around 10 seconds, and stop for around 30 seconds, and running, stopping, in a cycle until it reaches cut off pressure 60psi. I know that the tank is not broken (the bladder is not broken and does not have pinholes).

So what is the cause of this? I searched the site and seems can't find a good explanation.

On 2017-03-19 by (mod) -

Jerry
Exactly: rapid on-off of the pump is "short cycling" - causes are listed in the article above. Let me know if any of that's unclear or if you have remaining questions

On 2017-03-19 by Jerry b

On and off short cycl

On 2017-03-06 by (mod) -

"telegraphs" - I'm not sure what you mean, but if you 're saying that the pressure switch is clicking continually, the cause is probably one of those listed in the article above - starting with a waterlogged pressure tank.

On 2017-03-06 by Tom

My well and pump are 1600 ft from the house. the pressure switch is in the well casing and i have a buryied pressure tank 2 ft from the pitless adapter. i also have another pressure tank in the house 1600 ft away. the problem is the pressure switch continualy telegraphs when ever you are running water. how can i slve this problem ?

On 2017-03-06 by (mod) - telegraphing pressure control switch

"telegraphs" - I'm not sure what you mean, but if you 're saying that the pressure switch is clicking continually, the cause is probably one of those listed in the article above - starting with a waterlogged pressure tank.

On 2017-03-06 by Tom

My well and pump are 1600 ft from the house. the pressure switch is in the well casing and i have a buryied pressure tank 2 ft from the pitless adapter. i also have another pressure tank in the house 1600 ft away. the problem is the pressure switch continualy telegraphs when ever you are running water. how can i slve this problem ?

On 2017-01-29 by JACK

I have a brand new X-trol wx-203 and my system is still short cycling. When the pump kicks on, it runs for about 3 seconds. Then it drops to the 30 psi turn on pressure in about 35 seconds.

Again runs for 3 seconds to get to the 50 psi turn off. It consistently runs like this. This is a 30 gallon pressure tank shouldn't it take longer than that to kick on.

On 2017-01-25 by Marlon

Pump don't cut off

On 2017-01-25 by Marlon

Why my Haitun water pump clicks on and off so rapidly

Our complete diagnostic list of all known causes, diagnostic steps, and repair procedures for well pump short cycling is

at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING DIAGNOSIS TABLE

If you are not sure what "water pump short cycling" means or how it is recognized, see

SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP.

Intermittent water pump cycling which is discussed at

INTERMITTENT WATER PUMP CYCLING When No Water is Running means that the water pump comes on for no apparent reason.

Loss of water pressure means that the pressure with which water enters a plumbing fixture has become too slow, or is sometimes too slow or weak in water flow rate, or water flow may stop entirely.

See WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

...

Continue reading at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSE FAQs-3 - more-recent Q&A about rapid on-off water pump cycling

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES
  • WATER TANK AIR CHARGE LOST
  • WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH
  • WATER PUMP WIRING REPAIR - separate article
  • WATER SUPPLY PIPING BLOCKED
  • WATER FILTER CLOGGED
  • WATER TANK AIR OVERCHARGED
  • WATER TANK BLADDER DAMAGED
  • WATER TANK BLADDER STUCK to ITSELF
  • WATER TANK LEAKS
  • WATER TANK LOCATION DISTANCE & SWITCH CHATTER
  • WATER TANK or TANK TEE FROZEN
  • WELL PIPING / CHECK VALVE / FOOT VALVE
  • WELL PIPE LEAKS - separate article
  • OTHER CAUSES of WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING
• WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING DIAGNOSIS TABLE

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSE FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

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