Water Pump Won't Run, Diagnostic FAQs

What to check if the Pump Won't Start

Pump ran 2 minutes, quit, won't come back on

Gone from home for a few days, turned pump on at fuse box, the pump ran 2 minutes then shut off. Now it will not come back on - Dave

Reply: Sequence of steps to check if the well pump is not turning on.

Dave: re "gone from home for a few days turned pump on at fuse box ran 2 minutes then shut off will not come on"

See WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE for a comprehensive list of things to check when you've lost water pressure, including well pump troubles. By your message alone, and just guessing, as so little information is provided, I'd check things in this order:

1. Make sure that electrical power is being delivered
   
   to the pump. Check for live voltage at the control switch and if a separate pump relay is used, check for voltage there too.
2. If there is voltage at the pump controls,
   
   look for a pressure switch or relay that has become burned or damaged. If there is a separate pump relay control switch, make sure that its cover, removable "on-off" control that some switches use, or fuses are secure and in place and not burned out.
3. If all of the electrical components have power, but the pump is not turning on,
   
   The pump may have been turned off by a WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH that has to be manually reset. But
   
   Watch out: that safety control is intended to prevent the pump from being damaged by running dry. So if the pump doesn't turn on and deliver water, leave it OFF and get help from your pump electrician or well service company.
   
   
4. The pump itself could be damaged or the pressure control switch or its tubing may be clogged and not calling for the pump to turn on. Manually closing the pump pressure control switch should turn the pump on.
5. If none of the above apply then there's an electrical problem to find and fix in wiring or at the pump or the pump itself needs repair or replacement.

Watch out: for electrocution hazards when checking electrical wiring and devices. If you lack training and equipment have those checks made by a professional.

Watch out: often when a pump is turned OFF for a few days we discover a pre-existing problem that had been covered-up, namely a bad foot valve or check valve that allows water to slowly leak out of the pressure tank and back into the well.

As long as the pump power is turned on, when the leak causes pressure to drop below the cut-in point the pump cycles on and re pressurizes the water system and so the pump never loses prime.

But when power to the well pump is left off long enough, a slow leak can lose all of the water above ground (back into the well) and you lose prime.

So that's where I'd start looking.

Water Pump runs once then won't turn on again

When I start my pump, it builds pressure to about 30psi and then shuts off and will not cut on again and I have to restart it and ends up same results. I've tried 3 different pressure switches.

My pressure tank has the correct air pressure in it. There's a lot of condensation on my pressure tank that I have never noticed before. Any suggestions on what to do On 2022-03-12 by Brian

by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - First check for the right air pressure but wrong air volume

@Brian,

I don't think this is a pressure tank problem - though if condensation reaches near the top of the tank, indeed it's water-logged ( a condition that can cause pump short-cycling).

Your tank might have the right "pressure" of air but not the right air volume.

You want the tank air pre-charge to be 2 psi below the CUT-IN pressure when the pump has been turned off and all water pressure has been drained from the system.

Rather when the pump turns off before reaching the cut-off pressure I suspect the well is running out of water and the pump is being shut off by a pump protection switch OR the pump itself is overheating or failing.

Pump Won't Run in Wet or Rainy Weather

Our well pump quits working when it rains

We have had a lot of rain in the area and our pump quits working and we cannot get any water to the house. Is this normal?

I am not well versed on water pumps.

Is there a safety feature on newer pumps (about 2-3 years old) for when the water table is high, the pump will not work? On 2017-05-09 by Steve

by (mod)

Steve,

No it's not normal for rainfall to cause your well pump to stop working.

WATCH OUT: there may be wet electrical wiring or wet controls that could shock or kill someone. Ask your electrician to check the pump control circuit.

It would be odd to turn a pump on or off depending on the water levels in soil outside the well being high; a well pump protection switch does the opposite: protecting the pump when water level in the well is too LOW.

See WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH

Our pump won't run after a nightd of heavy rain

We've had 3.25" of rain over night and I'm waking up to no running water in the cabin! On 2020-02-06 by Kim King

by (mod) -

is it possible that a pump control or above ground pump has been wet or flooded or shorted out?

Pump Pressure Switch is Slow to Respond to Change in Water Pressure

Pump relay switch to turn on water delays too long and pressure drops too low

I have a pedrollo water pump with a smart head attached. It was installed about 1 year ago and was working great , but now it delays in switching on when the tap is turned on. What could be the problem? On 2021-06-29 by Dirkson

Explanation by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Dirkson,

I would check first for a silt or debris-clogged water pressure sensor port. That is a very common cause of a pressure switch being slow to respond to a drop in water pressure below the CUT-IN pressure setting.

Since silt and debris can clog both the pressure sensing tube that conducts water to the pressure switch as well as clogging the pressure sensor on the pump itself, if cleaning the tube doesn't get the switch to respond to a drop in water pressure I'd replace the switch.

Watch out: a pressure switch that doesn't properly sense water pressure can be unsafe: it may fail to turn the pump OFF at the CUT-OFF pressure - bursting a water tank and injuring anyone nearby.

Pump Sends Water Pressure Gauge to Over 100 psi

On our well water pump system the gage is reading is over 100psi.

I bled the tank and it went back to 60psi and then and the pump came on the pressure went back to 100ps which cut the relay off, But no water is getting to the water heater - (Feb 21, 2015) calvin

Reply:

Watch out: If the pressure really is that high the situation is dangerous as you can blow out the water tank or piping, causing injury or even death.

If the water pressure is really over about 70 psi then the pump control is not responding to water pressure and so is not turning off the pump.

That happens if the tubing that conducts water to the pressure switch is clogged or if the pressure sensor on the pressure switch is clogged or broken.

Clean or replace the tube and replace the pressure switch.

See details at

• CHECK PRESSURE CONTROL BASE CLOG or TORN DIAPHRAGHM
• CHECK PRESSURE SENSOR TUBING CLOGGING

A separate possibility is that the water pressure isn't as high as the gauge reads, which can happen if the water pressure gauge itself is debris clogged and or faulty.

Check the actual system, pressure independently by following the instructions

at WATER PRESSURE MEASUREMENT 

Water Pump Won't Run Until Water Pressure Drops Below The Pump CUT-IN Switch Pressure Setting

I've adjusted cut on and off pressures, etc. My problem is that when the pressure drops through the cut in point, the switch "tries" to trip. The contacts close briefly, pump just starts to turn, then everything stops and pressure falls. I can start it with the manual switch and it will run fine . Pressure tank is brand new, and adjusted to about two pounds below cut in pressure. Any ideas?

Pressure control switch isn’t turning on the pump - when using the manual cut in switch the pump isn’t turning on either, however, if you manually use a screwdriver and push the contacts down you can get the pump to engage. hold the contacts down and you can get the tank up to pressure, however as soon you run out of pressure you have to go down with your screwdrivers and get the pressure back up

Hmmmm whats going on? (Oct 18, 2011) Kerry

Reply: check for a debris clogged pump pressure switch or sensor port or tubing

Jim,
I realize there could be another problem, such as with the pump itself, but I'd start by replacing the pressure switch. Also replace or clean out the switch mounting tube so we're sure it's properly sensing water pressure.

Kerry:

it's possible that the pressure sensing port on the bottom of your pressure control switch is clogged and not properly sensing water pressure. If the switch thinks that you are above the cut-off pressure it won't turn on the pump. Another possibility is that the switch contacts are burned.

I'd try replacing the switch and making sure the little tube on which it mounts is also unblocked by rust or debris.

Water Pump Won't Start Unless I shake the Tank or Tap the Switch Q&A

Water pump runs if I give the tank a little shake - is this a switch problem or an air pressure problem?

My water in my house stops working. If I go down to the tank and give it a little shake, my water starts working again for a short period of time. Could this be air pressure or maybe a switch? (June 15, 2016) Matt

Reply:

Sounds like a loose connection or switch component. Next time try tapping on the pressure control switch. Debris can clog its sensor. If so replace the switch. Keep me posted, Matt.

Water Pump is late to start and late to stop - is it a bad pressure switch or a bad tank bladder?

The problem with my booster pump is different from what you have described above...what I am experiencing is that the pump is late to 'kick in' and also late to cut off. I had tried to adjust pressure switch cut in and cut off nuts but the issue still persists (coincidentally my pump is fitted with Square D FSG 2 Pressure switch).

What you think could be the issue? Is it my tank bladder or the pressure switch? On 2011-08-27 by Izhar

by (mod) - Probable cause: sediment-clogged pressure switch or switch tubing

Izhar,

When a water pump is not responding properly to the pressure in the system I suspect that the pressure control switch is defective OR (and this is very common) if there is rust, iron, sediment, crud in the water supply, the switch may no longer be sensing pressure in the plumbing system.

A blockage of the pressure switch mounting tube or the very small water orifice (hidden from your view) in the bottom of the pressure control switch sensing diaphraghm can cause the switch to delay starting in response to a drop in water pressure.

Other mechanical problems within the pressure control switch itself could be at fault too.

I'd replace the switch and the mounting tube.

Pump ON/Off is Erratic or Intermittent After Power Failure / Storm

After a power failure our completely-replaced water pump system works for 5 minutes at a time, stops, then after 10 minutes runs again

Hello there! Our well water pumps works for two mobile houses. We had a really bad storm in which the power kept going off. Short story, we no longer had water.

Had a man come out and look at it. Well he said our pump went out.

Spent over $1550 and put a new pump, supposedly new pressure switch, new breakers, and new pipe.

Our water would work for 5 minutes at a time, then after 10 minutes would run again.

Then come to find out our pressure tank's bladder busted. So another $902 later we got a new pressure tank.

Our water worked good for a day. Now we have no water again. My husband checked the pump and it has 220 volts going to the pump but the pump won't turn on.

Checked pressure tank and its fine. My husband thinks our new pump burned out. Could it be something else maybe?

Is there anything we can do besides paying another arm and leg for another pump? Its been over a month with either little water or no water at all. I am over it! Please help - On 2021-06-10 by Alyssa

by (mod) -

@Alyssa,

Thanks for the question though, saying "thanks" when you have no water ....well that stinks.

I agree with your husband that if power is being switched on to the pump and it's not running, then EITHER the wiring is broken or open between switch and pump OR the pump has burned-out.

A trained electrician might use a Volt-Ohm meter to measure the current draw and to check the wiring for a short circuit or an open wire.

Also ask Hubby to take a look at the diagnostic steps at

WATER PUMP WON'T START where there are more suggestions, starting with

making sure that the pressure switch contacts are closing to turn on the pump

Repair tips: unless there is pressure in the system ABOVE the PUMP CUT-IN setting on the pressure control, the pump ought to run regardless of the pressure tank condition.

So first we rule out the pump: check the pressure control CUT IN setting against the tank's air pre-charge. How?

Check the pressure in the system now that the pump is OFF.

If your installer put in a new pressure switch and did not fool with its settings, the CUT IN pressure is either 20 psi or 30 psi.

So if your system pressure is below 20 psi (easily done with pump off, just run some water) then

IF the pump isn't turning on

AND IF there is power to the pump (on the pump side of the pressure switch that ought to be closed, calling for water)

THEN the problem is the wiring, or pump itself, or there is a broken-open water line

Well pump quit after lightning storm

We just had a lightning storm blow thru and now my well quit. I can push in the reset button and pump comes on but after a few seconds it trips again.

Reply:

Look for a damaged pump wiring, lightning damage to the pump, pump control, even a leak in well casing or piping.

Start with following the pump controls and wiring. I suspect lightning damage to the pump motor.

Diagnostic question: When you say the pump comes on: is it actually running and delivering water, then turning off?

And when the pump turns off, is a circuit breaker tripped ?

We have no water after an electrical outage

Water pump did not come on after electrical outage. What might be wrong? (June 6, 2015) Ted

Reply:

Check all of the circuit breakers/ fuses for loss of power; also a lightning strike can damage well pump, well piping wiring, or the well itself.

Pump Motor Needs a Manual Spin to get it Running

Water Pump Hums but Doesn't Run Unless I give it a Spin with a Screwdriver

My 2 line jet pump hums but doesnt turn over. I've replaced the start capacitor. But still nothing.

I am able to kick start the motor by turning the shaft with a screw driver. The motor doesn't get hot and sounds beautiful when running. What else could my problem be?
Thanks in advance for any input. On 2020-03-16 by BenG -

Explanation by (mod) - what to check when the pump won't start unless you spin it

Ben

Trying a new starting capacitor is a reasonable effort but if you used the right value starting capacitor, the cap is properly wired and is itself un-damaged,

and if you've checked out other "pump won't run" causes given

at WATER PUMP WON'T START

We're left guessing a loose or bad internal wiring connection in the start circuit or perhaps low supply voltage

A slight push started the pump, now it smoked and won't run.

Our pump always needed a slight push to start the motor The switch was on when rwe an out of electricity and i forgot to switch it off.

After an hour when the lights came, back on we found thadt the water pump was stuck and wouldn't start.

And after half an hour smoke started coming out of wires of the pump. There was a little blasting sound too. what do i do now? (June 27, 2014) Asad

Reply:

Asad,

It sounds as if the pump as well as possibly some wiring burned up and so both need replacement. Also check for proper fusing.

The earlier problem of having to give the pump motor a little spin to get it going tells me that the pump probably had a bad starting capacitor.

So when power was off, then back on and you left the pump trying to start, it probably sat there humming and overheating without starting until the motor burned up.

Pump Won't Start: Signs of a Bad Motor Start Capacitor

Our well pump hums, well pump won't start

Our well pump motor only hums when plugged in. (July 17, 2014) John

Pump not starting unless you spin fan by hand - (Aug 13, 2014) raykan

Reply:

John, look for a seized pump motor or bearing or impeller or a bad motor start capacitor

Raykan: your pump probably needs a start capacitor replacement

Watch out: when an electric motor hums but doesn't run leave power to it OFF - otherwise you risk an electrical fire or a pump motor that burns up beyond repair.

The repair may be as simple as a new starting capacitor, run capacitor, or lubrication of the pump shaft.

See CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS

If that doesn't work see the electric motor diagnosis and repair steps for humming or buzzing electric motors

at ELECTRIC MOTOR WON'T START / RUN

A slight push starts the well pump

My well pump needs a slight push to start the pump.

Switch was on when ran out of electricity and i forgot to switch it off. After an hour when the light came, since switch was on so pump stuck and did'nt start.

And after half an hour smoke started coming out of wires of the pump... there was a little blasting sound too. what do i do now? (June 27, 2014) Asad said:

Reply:

Asad,

Sounds as if the pump as well as possibly some wiring burned up and need replacement. Also check for proper fusing.

Then ask your electrician to check the well pump motor for a failed start or run capacitor.

Pump Won't Start on Battery Backup Power

Pump won't start on battery power

Hi I have a small water pump that I use for a saltwater aquarium.

I live in a country that power comes and goes, so we use automatic invertors and run off batteries when there's no power

Trouble is the pump has trouble starting on batteries - just click and rattles and takes about 15 minutes to start. I've checked the voltage at the plug - 120 same as with power from the company.

I've tried other pumps, and other outlets - same result. The only difference I can see is that the invertor is quasi-sine (or modified sine)... would this make a difference? Are pumps sensitive to this? On 2017-03-28 by Tim

by (mod)

Tim,

I too have read about the difference in power curve properties between backup battery systems (square wave) and grid power systems (sine wave) but I don't think we have to focus on that difference to solve this problem.

You'll want to either buy a self-contained battery-backup aquarium pump (the less expensive solution) or to buy a true battery backup system - also referred to as "double conversion" power backup systems.

The DC battery is charged from line voltage (until a power outage) but the power the unit produces from the DC battery is converted back to normal or standard AC power.

These will cost 3-5 times a battery-backup acquarium pump but could be needed to handle either longer power outages or larger pumps.

Indeed many battery backups don't provide the same current draw (amps) that a motor might use briefly at start-up; but I'd expect that if you try out a larger battery-backup system that will solve the problem.

One thing that always gives me courage in attacking a question like this is that I figure someone has already had the problem and has come up with a solution. I looked around and found that several companies sell battery-backp pumps specifically for aquariums, since obviously we don't want a power outage to kill the fish or whoever else is living in the aquarium.

Some battery backup aquarium pump vendors include

APC Smart-UPS aquarium backup systems

Azoo whose pump will run for 10 or more hours if there is a power failure

Hot Pump Motor, Pump Won't Start

Weak water pressure, hot pump motor smoked after I poured water on it

The water pressure has been dropping low then comes back for a few weeks now last night lost water all together.

I try to prime the pump; it will kick on and suck water and pressure goes up but once I put hose back on the pressure drops to 0 .

I did pour water over pump to cool because it was very hot.

Now when I try to prime the pump it smells like wire burning and smokes white smoke could the smoke because the water I poured on it . And the reason pressure drops back to 0 when I put hose back on. On 2017-02-26 by nancy

Recommendations by (mod)

Sounds as if your pump has been running dry, overheating, and is in danger of being damaged; if it's not delivering water, leave it off.

Watch out: while your pump motor was overheating, a sign of failing bearings or low voltage or other damage, pouring water over it may have caused an internal short that burned up the pump motor.

Watch out: In my OPINION it's unsafe to continue to try to run this motor. Leave power off to avoid an electrical fire or shock.

The underlying problem could be that there's low or no water in your well.

It'a time to get a trained service tech on site. DF

 

Pump motor is hot and doesn't run: just hums

Well pump hot to touch. Low water pressure. Turned pump off but now it won't come back on, just hums. On 2017-02-12 by Peter

by (mod) - signs of a pump wiring error or damage

Sounds to me like a wiring problem, perhaps damaged wire or a bad connector. Less likley but possible: a failing pump motor that's drawing high current or a pump with a failed start capacitor.

Water Pump Shuts Down After Running for a While

Water Pump will work for about 20 minutes, then it shuts down.

My water well will work for about 20 minutes, then it shuts down. I can re-start it by depressing the disconnect switch. What is my problem ? (July 1, 2015) John Stauffer

Reply:

Most likely the well flow rate is very poor and your are pumping water out faster than the well recovers. If your pump is protected by a pump protection switch it may be shutting the pump off when the control detects that the pump is not getting water.

We explain that safety device at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH

If there's a possibility that your pump is indeed pumping the well nearly dry, you can confirm that problem by

a WATER QUANTITY TEST: WELL FLOW TEST

A second possibility is an overheating well pump motor.

If that were the case it would not re-start immediately on stopping, as time would be needed for it to cool down.

At ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET  we explain that the underlying cause can be low voltage to the pump or a failing pump bearing or similar issue.

Irrigation pump has to be re-set manually

Dear Dan, I have an irrigation network in my home garden using sprinklers that connected and supplied from my home water supply network (bathrooms,showers water faucets and so on.) which supplied from upper roof tank by a pump (booster).

The water is supplied to this upper roof tank by another pump located at the entrance of my home (at ground floor).

When the irrigation system stop, no water come down from the upper tank because both two pumps are shut down and need to be reset manually from their electronic pressure controller. I don't know why?

What can I do to solve this problem? (July 11, 2015) Anonymous

Reply:

Anon

It sounds to me as if you ran the water out of the rooftop tank and ran the supply pumps dry until they shut off on thermal reset.

1. Confirm water source: We need to know if your ground floor pump and water source is running out of water - which sounds distinctly possible given that your water system is basically operating off of a rooftop water tank. Although of course there are other explanations, we might see this design if the source water well has a very poor well flow rate.
   
   You might want to confirm this with a WATER QUANTITY TEST: WELL FLOW TEST
2. Look for a pump protection switch: if your system is running out of water and if a pump protection switch or device is installed, it's normal and right for that to turn off the pumps.
   
   Confirm this guess by reviewing WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH