Pump Motor 'Frozen'

[Athlon646464]

This morning I shut off the motor to change the valve to the backwash position. When I turned the motor back on, all I got was a humming noise. I've tried it with the valve in all positions.

The motor felt hot to the touch, by the way.

I let it cool down for about 90 minutes and tried it again, but I still get the humming noise and it's still 'frozen'.

What should I do next?

 

[JohnT]

A new capacitor may be in your future. It's a cylindrical black thing under the rear cap on the motor. The biggest thing under there.

First check that the impeller isn't jammed. Shut the power off and see if you can turn the impeller with your fingers through the pump basket.

 

[bobodaclown]

at the back of the motor take off the cover and see if the shaft will turn. If it does it may be the start capacitor.
Here's video that may help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-cVgpz7GYQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEIv5ClLqXg

Hope it helps. It may be a $20 fix.

 

[Athlon646464]

Thanks guys - the shaft does indeed turn.

I'm a little nervous about touching the capacitor after reading that they can explode and/or hold a charge. I'll proceed carefully. The videos helped.

 

[JohnT]

If the cap is bad, it won't hold a charge, but short it out to be sure. If you have a multimeter you can test it once you have it unhooked and discharged, but they fail so often anymore it's probably worth getting a new one anyway.

 

[Athlon646464]

Okay - I've removed it! Now I just need to find someone nearby who sells these things........

 

[JohnT]

Okay - I've removed it! Now I just need to find someone nearby who sells these things........

A pool store would be the first shot. Motor repair place next.

 

[Athlon646464]

I've been told by a local guy that I can use one with a higher rating than mine, which is 124-149 MFD. He says I should be fine at about 160-190 (I forget the exact numbers he gave me over the phone), as long as it is the same physical size.

And you say?

 

[Bama Rambler]

He's probably correct. Going a little over isn't going to hurt anything.

Make sure the voltage rating is equal or higher than the original too.

 

[Athlon646464]

Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly here this morning! I'm off to go buy it ($10).

I'll let you know when it's installed and working.

 

[Athlon646464]

New capacitor didn't help. It's making exactly the same humming sound as this morning.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Does the motor have a set of contacts at the back end?
They could be corroded. If they're there, take an emory board and file them a little. Also make sure the mechanism isn't stuck.

 

[Athlon646464]

Everything looked clean when I took it apart. Earlier today I stuck my finger in the hole in the pump basket and could turn the impeller.

I can post pictures if that would help.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Post a pic of the back of the motor with the cover removed.

 

[Athlon646464]

Here you are........

 

[Mainecoons]

Looks pretty clean. See those 4 big bolts that hold the motor and the first black flange to the pump basket body? You can undo those and remove the business end of the pump where you can inspect it and see if it will run (just a quick on and off test) when pulled out of the basket end. If it still buzzes and doesn't run, you have a motor problem.

 

[Bama Rambler]

See those two copper strips that meet at the center of the motor? Take an emory board and clean the contacts between them a little. See if that helps.

 

[Athlon646464]

It started to rain here and my day job just got crazy busy. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Thank you for all of your help.

 

[Athlon646464]

Got it going!

I braved the rain and went out and took it apart. I did what Mainecoons & Bama Rambler suggested and put it back. Walaa!! It came back to life!!

Thank you all again for your help! I learned a lot here......

 

[Bama Rambler]

Glad you got it fixed.