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

Frequently asked questions about rapid on-off cycling of a well pump or water pump or its pressure control switch.

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: diagnose & fix well pumps turning on and off too often

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 2019-03-03 by (mod) - My water pump go on and off what do you think is wrong with

Tommy

Probably one of the causes listed in the article above on WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES. Please take a look and let me know what questions remain.

On 2019-03-02 by Tommy

My water pump go on and off what do you think is wrong with it

On 2019-01-13 by (mod) - signs that the pump is frozen in the lake

Ellen

Your pump may indeed be frozen.

I'd appreciate enough detail or perhaps a sketch explaining how sharing a lake as a water source is sharing a lake well. I'ts unclear to me how or why your neighbor's independent pump and piping and controls would affect your system.

On 2019-01-13 by ellen

I have a shared lake well. My water stopped entering but my neighbours was fine. They have their own pump .

We looked at the pumps, theirs was deeper in the lake well and mine was higher. My pump had some frost around it. Is this the cause of not having water.

On 2019-01-09 by (mod) - rapid short cycling if pump has no pressure tank

if you're shutting off water out of the system that by itself could cause rapid short cycling at the pump and could damage it.

You want to double-check but you have the proper are pre-charged and your pressure tank.

On 2019-01-08 by Joe DiNapoli

I have replaced the pressure tank and pressure switch and checked the filter, the system is still short cycling. I cannot see any leaks The pressure tank and pump are right next to the water holding tanks and I turned a shut off valve just past the carbon filter.

On 2019-01-01 by (mod) - replacing a water heater will not fix a short cycling well pump.

No, sorry, replacing a water heater will not fix a short cycling well pump.

If your water pressure tank is one that uses an internal bladder and if the bladder has failed that it would be reasonable to replace the pressure tank.

There is a relationship between a plumbing leak under your home such as from your water heater, and short cycling only in that the leak meant that your pump is running continuously.

On 2019-01-01 by Wendy

Water well(10yrs old)short cycling, over time the in betweens became closer and closer. The well now runs constantly. Well man says it needs new tank. Prior to that we felt it could be a pressure issue. Not that there was any pressure loss in the home.

Later discovered a water leak under house, a big one. Seems to be hot water heater. Could fix/replace hot water heater fix the well cycling issue?

On 2018-12-12 by (mod) - pressure tank needed unless ...

With no pressure tank, unless your pump is designed to work without a pressure tank, you will have the symptoms you describe, and the system cannot work properly.

For pumps that work without a pressur tank

see WATER PUMP VARIABLE FREQUENCY / VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE (VFDs)

On 2018-12-11 by Jim

My pump is new everything ,all the wireing from pump to the pressure switch.. when it comes on it only last for 10 seconds then shuts off for a minute then comes back on it spits water when it comes back on ... well pump is not hook up to a pressure tank .

On 2018-11-02 by (mod) - Pressure switch keeps going on and off real fast

Probably one of the causes listed in the article WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES, OR you have a valve closed or a totally blocked water filter on the outlet side of the water pressure tank.

On 2018-11-02 by Ken

Pressure switch keeps going on and off real fast

On 2018-10-23 by (mod) -

If pressure bleeds off try turning OFF the main valve into the building; if the pressure bleed-down stops then you know water is running somewhere in the building - perhaps a running toilet.

If pressure bleed down continues the I suspect a leak in well piping or at a check valve or foot valve.

On 2018-10-23 by Mark

I have water!! But..... now bleeds off idle soo pulling again to check joints installed today! Lol. But we are getting there.

On 2018-10-23 by (mod) - can't get water

Mark

Don't give up, though it's frustrating; the number of parts and controls is not that great.

If the pump, wired directly, does not run, then the problem is the pump or wires connecting to it.

However if the pump runs but produces no water the issue an be with the pump inlet, impeller, piping (leaks), or there could just be no water in the well.

Those are NOT "short cycling" (rapid on-off cycling of a well pump) problems except indirectly in that a pump that cycles on and off rapidly for too long can burn-up its controls or its own motor, or could turn off on thermal reset.

See WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR https://inspectapedia.com/water/Poor_Water_Pressure_Diagnosis.php

On 2018-10-23 by mark

I wired pump direct nothing. Replacing pump and pressure tank and switch. If that doesn’t work I be moving

On 2018-10-23 by (mod) - be sure to distinguish between water pump short-cycling problems and pump-not-running problems

Mark

Don't give up, though it's frustrating; the number of parts and controls is not that great.

If the pump, wired directly, does not run, then the problem is the pump or wires connecting to it.

However if the pump runs but produces no water the issue an be with the pump inlet, impeller, piping (leaks), or there could just be no water in the well.

Those are NOT "short cycling" (rapid on-off cycling of a well pump) problems except indirectly in that a pump that cycles on and off rapidly for too long can burn-up its controls or its own motor, or could turn off on thermal reset.

See WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

On 2018-10-23 by mark

I wired pump direct nothing. Replacing pump and pressure tank and switch. If that doesn’t work I be moving

On 2018-10-23 by (mod) -

I would step through the short cycle causes listed above.

On 2018-10-23 by Mark

Then what should I do if I replace tank an new pressure switch what can it be

On 2018-10-23 by (mod) - don't replace the water tank before we have diagnosed a "no water pressure" problem

Before replacing the pressure tank, consider that the tank would not directly cause no water pressure at all.

On 2018-10-23 by Mark

I shut power off it’s not responding at all no humming it throws breaker trying to kick on. Could it have burnt that new switch up?? I will probably have to get another new pressure switch when I replace the pressure tank tomorrow am I correct. Any help be great

When I replace the pressure switch I took nipple off and cleaned it. I didn’t clean the t out. But I don’t know what going on it has worn me out new check valve. New pressure switch. ??

Now I have nothing. I hope something didn’t burn up. I am going to replace pressure tank tomorrow that’s everything but the pump. I hope the thing acting like that didn’t hurt pump. I t don’t even try to pump now. No water

On 2018-10-22 by (mod) - when pressure goes to zero before the pump turns on

when pressure goes to zero before the pump turns on clearly the switch is not responding to water pressure. Usually that's debris clogging of the switch or the tubing conducting water pressure to it.

On 2018-10-22 2 by Mark

Anonymous is me !! Mark lol

I have put check valve on system holds pressure I put new pressure switch on 30/50. I put 28 psi in tank empty. At first it pumped up to 48 kicked off then at 32?it tried to kick on but didn’t just on off real fast.

Then go to zero then finally kick on off and pumps up to about 25-28 and kicks off. When pump runs it is pumping water just won’t run long enough to get to 48 and don’t kick on at 30. I am stumped. New tank all that’s left. Help

Now it will only pump up to 25 psi and kicks off goes to zero then kicks on off and then back to 25. New pressure switch when pump runs it pumps water but just won’t kick on an stay on. Then kick off to early. ?

On 2018-10-12 (mod) - if a water tank is 18 years old can it get water loged

Sure

On 2018-10-12 by calvin macleod

if a water tank is 18 years old can it get water loged

On 2018-10-02 by vaju

check valve is changed , it works certain duration of days.then back again the problem arises once again. we had inspected the flow of water pressure in each shower room and the kitchen tap .

The pressure switch cut in and cut off perfectly kick out , plumbing line was checked thoroughly :no leakage found out.i will specific my pump model for you (mini force II , self priming monoset pump, 0.37kilo watt,single phase ,220 volt, AC supply)

On 2018-10-01 by (mod) -

Vaju

by
"the main problem that I had is that the pump make auto off and stop at any time"

I think you're saying that the pump turns on and off for no obvious reason and when you think no water is being used.



If I have that right, That might be a leak or a bad check valve.

But for more thorough diagnosis and repair advice please take a look at this diagnostic article WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING https://inspectapedia.com/water/Intermittent-Water-Pump-Cycling.php

and let me know if that helps you or let me know if you have more questions.

On 2018-10-01 by vaju

I had a pressure booster pump installed below the water tank which is arranged with 6feet vertical PVC having a diameter of. 25X25 mm (suction and delivery). pumped is installed in the top of the roof of the house . the pump will delivery The water for two shower and kitchen basin which is 12 feet below the top of roof

The pressure switch is adjusted with the cut-in pressure of 1.1 bar for starting automatically while 1.8 bar for stop automatically cut-off. the main problem that I had is that the pump make auto off and stop at any time. we had inspect for leakage in pipeline :

seem ok ,change the check valve toward suction line,change the setting of pressure switch. in site during inspection it works perfectly but fails to maintain the operation afterward .can you suggest me the remedy for this problem

On 2018-09-25 by (mod) - air tank has lost its air charge

sure but it sounds as if your air tank has lost its air charge

On 2018-09-25 by Richard Sabraw

Can I pump water from a 400 gallon tank via 1/2 hp pump through water lines into the house without a bladder tank? Currently hooked up and get short cycling. Water flow is fair.

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 these

Recommended Articles

This article series describes the most likely water pump short cycle causes include the following, listed more or less in the order of probability:

• 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-3 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

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---