Waterfall pump just stopped working

[SillyOleBear]

With no warning our waterfall pump just stopped working. No weird noises or visual indications of why. When I try starting it, it immediately starts humming, but nothing happens, then after 10-15 seconds a metallic ping sound can be heard and then no more humming. I've powered down and reset everything including breakers, and each time I try restarting it's the same thing. It seems odd that no matter how long I run water into the strainer, it never quite fills up - water in the strainer keeps running out the way it's supposed to come in. Maybe that's OK? Attaching a pic of the pump and relevant pipe network.
The pump has two components: Hayward Star Pump, model SP3210X15, powered by a 1.65HP Century motor. Each are probably 5-6 years old.
Where to begin troubleshooting? Any advice/suggestions/magic incantations are welcome and appreciated. Thanks! David

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Check the pump capacitor.

Pump Capacitors - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[SillyOleBear]

Welcome to TFP.

Check the pump capacitor.

Pump Capacitors - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

It was the capacitor, thanks! Lot of videos on YouTube, but I found a no-nonsense one that demonstrated how to test a capacitor with a multimeter --

. Mine failed the first test and passed another, but failing any test is a strong indication it's bad. I order a replacement -- it arrived quickly, and I swapped it for the bad one and voila -- waterfall is operational! Thanks again, AJW22! Now, I have another issue, but will begin another thread for it. Yep, another pump issue (different pump with different problem).