Spa Newbie here: Refilled spa for spring and now pump/jets won't turn on

[laurettaconverse]

Hi- we drained and winterized our Marquis spa last spring and refilled it today. When we restored power, the pump priming cycle began. We heard a 5-second buzzing sound that went on after two minutes for about 5 seconds but then stopped and the jets never turned on. We read about air lock and bled both of the release valves. We tried turning on the spa, exiting the prime cycle and a few times turning on the jets for about 30 seconds. The jets didn't work.

Any suggestions on what to try next or what our problem could be?

Might emptying the spa and refilling solve the problem?

Thanks for any help!
Lauretta

 

[kimkats]

I am not sure so here is a bump for more eyes.

 

[jimmythegreek]

Standalone spa? Did you remove the filter and fill thru the suction ports or just fill into the spa?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Lauretta,

Is this an above ground standalone spa, or an inground spa with an equipment pad??

I have never heard of an air lock on an inground spa..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[laurettaconverse]

This is an above ground stand alone spa. I just filled it- not through the suction ports. But when we released the release valves the feed the pump, water flowed from both. So we (perhaps incorrectly?) ruled out an air lock.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Lauretta,

If you have a standalone spa, I would drain it and refill by removing the filter and adding water in the bottom of the filter compartment.

If you just throw a hose in the tub, it can cause an air lock.

Another thing that you can do, after the tub is almost full, is to stick your garden hose in each jet and force some water in backwards.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[RDspaguy]

A loud buzzing for a few seconds ending in a click is a bad capacitor or locked rotor. Given that it has been sitting, I would guess bearings. If you can turn the motor shaft by hand a bit it may start working. You can remove the rear motor cover to access the motor shaft, which should have a slot or hex in the end.
Post a pic of the pump and motor.